Variety Thinning Recommendations for mature trees - 8 to 12mm fruit size
Variety Thinning Recommendations for mature trees - 8 to 12mm fruit size
Varieties where I like Maxcel+Sevin
• Gala - 64 oz Macxel /100 gallons TRV dilute = 128oz Maxcel per acre for a fully grown tree + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute = 2pt Sevin per acre for a fully grown tree
• Empire - 48 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Jonamac - 48 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Macoun - 48 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Fuji - 48 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Red Delicious - 36 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Bartlett Pears- 96 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute
• Bosc Pears- 48 oz Maxcel /100 gallons TRV dilute
Varieties where NAA works well
• McIntosh - 2oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Honeycrisp - 3oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Cortland - 2oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute
• Golden Delicious - 4oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Rome - 2oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Jonagold - 3oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Gingergold - 1oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Idared - 2.5oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Pink Lady - 1 or 2 oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
• Northen Spy: 2oz Fruitone L/100 gal TRV dilute + 1pt Sevin/100 gal TRV dilute
Chemical thinning program for Young Trees:
• For newly planted trees where you desire to totally eliminate the crop try a heavy rate of Maxcel (64 ounces) + Sevin (2pts) + Oil (1pt) /100 gallon TRV dilute when fruit size is 8-10mm.
• For 2nd year trees where we want a small crop use only hand thinning and the Cornell young tree thinning guide to adjust crop load.
• For 3rd year trees use Sevin alone + follow-up hand-thinning.
• For 4th year trees use 1/2 of our suggested full rate of NAA + Sevin or Maxcel+Sevin.
• For 5th year trees use 75% of a full rate of NAA + Sevin or Maxcel+Sevin.
• For 6th year trees use a full rate of NAA+Sevin or Maxcel+Sevin.
Variety Thinning Recommendations for mature trees – 8 to 12mm fruit size (pdf; 342KB)

Upcoming Events
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
