Survey Shows What’s Bugging Stone Fruit Growers the Most

In its annual State of the Industry survey, American Fruit Grower/Western Fruit Grower typically asks all growers to elaborate on their biggest crop protection and crop nutrition issues during the past growing season. This year we turn to our stone fruit growers to offer their thoughts on how 2025 transpired. Here is how some of you responded:

CROP PROTECTION

Insects: As expected with the stone fruit community, spotted wing drosophila (SWD) draws the most attention.

A Michigan grower of tart cherries cites the difficulty of keeping SWD at bay. “We used our maximum chem apps and chem rotation to keep fruit harvestable,” she says.

Another Michigan grower of tart cherries and peaches says “we spent a lot of money” on SWD. Turning to sweet cherries, a Washington grower laments thrips damage.

Other frequent mentions of insects by stone fruit growers include codling moth and Japanese beetles.

Off the beaten path, in Florida, a lychee grower sprayed “endlessly,” he says, to manage the Erinose mite, which the state’s department of agriculture “failed to stop the introduction of … when it was actually possible like three other times in the last 50 years.”

Weeds: An Oklahoma peach grower relays a difficult story that revolves around his 10 acres of newly planted peach trees last year. “The ground was too soft for too long, and we couldn’t drive tractors through for weed control,” he says. “So, we ended up losing about 60% of the trees to being choked out by weeds.”

A tree fruit grower in New York state saw weed growth get ahead of her as well after having difficulty with the timing of herbicides.

In Wisconsin, a tart cherry grower got away with no insect protection issues in 2025, but the same could not be said for weeds and deer.

Wildlife: Speaking of deer, a California a peach grower stresses the need for more fencing to thwart the animals. Unfortunately, he notes, fencing is expensive in the foothills due to the topography.

Gophers, birds, and squirrels (tree and ground) also pester stone fruit growers on a frequent basis.

Disease: The top four mentions by stone fruit growers are powdery mildew, brown rot, cherry leaf spot, and peach leaf curl. A Michigan peach grower singles out shot hole disease, while a stone fruit grower in California relays news of the pest pressure in his nectarines. “We’ll modify the timing of the preventives,” he says.

CROP NUTRITION

Macronutrients: Nitrogen management remains a core challenge for growers, as deficiencies and excessive applications both create significant risks. A California olive grower notes having to replace nitrogen after a loss from fruiting. A Michigan peach grower cites the nuances of application timing. And a Washington state sweet cherry grower wonders where to source and how to apply organic nitrogen.

Micronutrients: Although needed in lower amounts than macronutrients such as nitrogen and potassium, micronutrient deficiencies can affect fruit set, yield, and quality. A California grower reports a lack of micronutrients — specifically iron, zinc, and manganese — in his stone fruit. He responded with soil acidification and targeted foliar sprays.

Water availability: Some stone fruit growers note drought and its negative effect on crop nutrition efforts while disrupting the uptake, transport, and utilization of essential minerals. This can lead to stunted growth, reduced fruit size, and compromised nutritional content. “Water – I managed the use and timing better,” a Washington sweet cherry grower says.

Lastly, in California, a stone fruit grower says his trees are failing to thrive for unknown reasons. “I’m handling with extra nutrition and extra patience,” he says.

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Click here to see more findings from the 2026 State of the Fruit and Nut Industry survey.