Wild West Blog Article
By Ron Honig
March 19, 2025
Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear Fruit
If your fruit tree is growing but not blooming or bearing fruit, the problem could be anything from tree age and health to weather or environmental conditions. Following is a summary of K-State’s publication Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear Fruit which may answer some questions for homeowners having fruit tree problems.
Age
Fruit trees are 1 to 2 years old when you buy them from the nursery or garden center. They are in a juvenile growth stage and should begin producing fruit as the tree matures. The time from planting to fruit bearing varies depending on growing conditions and type of fruit:
Apple and apricot, 2 to 5 years.
Peach, 2 to 4 years.
Pear, 4 to 6 years.
Plum, 3 to 6 years.
Sour cherry, 3 to 5 years, and sweet cherry 4 to 7 years.
Fruit trees grafted on dwarf rootstock may bear fruit 1 to 2 years earlier than a standard size tree.
Growing Conditions
Extremely vigorous growth inhibits flower bud formation and may be a sign your tree is receiving too much nitrogen. On bearing trees, stop nitrogen fertilization if more than 12 to 24 inches of new shoot growth occurs during the growing season.
Pruning
Excessive pruning stimulates upright growth, which reduces flower bud formulation and delays fruit bearing.
Insufficient pruning results in an increasing number of limbs, branches and shoots in the tree canopy causing heavy shading and poor fruit bud development. Over time fruit only develops on the outer edge of the canopy. Pruning a large portion of the limbs and branches inside the canopy will increase sunlight penetration and promote fruit bud development in the inner area of the tree.
Winter Cold Injury
Extremely cold winter temperatures can kill flower buds. Hardy apple, pear, plum, and sour cherry varieties are seldom injured by winter weather. Mid-winter temperatures of around minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit can kill peach tree flower buds. A mid-winter warm period followed by a cold one can damage the flower buds of most fruits. The temperature at which fruit bud injury occurs depends primarily on the stage of development.
Spring Frost Damage
As flower buds begin to swell and open, they become susceptible to damage and may be killed at temperatures below 24 degrees. At full bloom, flower buds will start to suffer damage as the temperature reaches 28 degrees.
Injured flowers may appear normal, but the pistil (the center part of the flower) is damaged, and trees will not bear fruit.
Pollination
Most fruit trees are self-fruitful and do not require a second variety. However, self-unfruitful trees with perfect flowers that can not produce fruit from their own pollen require pollen from another cultivar. This type includes apple, pear, sweet cherry, and Japanese and American plum trees. At least two varieties must be planted nearby.
For more information contact a K-State Extension office or view K-State’s publication MF2166 Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear Fruit online.
