Southeast Michigan fruit update - June 25, 2025
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EmailThe start of cherry harvest is underway, accompanied by hot and humid conditions.
Welcome to the 12th in-season fruit article update for southeast Michigan for the 2025 season. Throughout the season these updates will include information about the weather in the past week and the upcoming week, a fruit-by-fruit guide to current conditions with appropriate pest and disease updates, and other relevant observations.
General observations
The last week has been hot and wet, and we expect the mugginess to continue. Growers in the region have started harvesting sweet and tart cherries and continue picking raspberries. Strawberry harvest has largely wrapped up.
We’re at the end of our weekly integrated pest management updates. You can watch recordings of the fruit meetings for southern Michigan on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings are held) at the small fruit channel and the tree fruit channel.
Fruit-by-fruit conditions
Apples
Most varieties have passed June drop around the region. RimPro models indicate the end of primary scab season.
Blueberries
We are seeing fruit expansion in blueberries, but not much coloration yet. Reports from southwest Michigan indicate coloring, so we won’t be far behind.
Brambles
Harvest of summer raspberries continues while blackberries are moving into fruit set.
Cherries
Harvest has started in both sweet and tart cherries in the region.
Grapes
Bloom has concluded in grapes around the region and fruit set has started, with some grapes approaching buckshot and pea sizes.
Peaches and nectarines
Peaches in the region are expanding with no evidence of pit hardening, though hardening in peach pits has been reported in southwest Michigan.
Pears
Pears in the region are expanding and have passed June drop, with pears in Britton at 40 millimeters (mm) in diameter. Adult pear psylla has been reported in the region.
Plums
Shiro plums in Romeo were at pit hardening.
Strawberries
Harvest has largely wrapped up in the region. Yield was spotty, with some farms having a normal yield and others with low yield. Renovation should proceed as soon as possible after harvest. You can read this article on strawberry renovation.
Insect conditions
More in-depth information can be found by watching the latest weekly fruit meetings on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings).
Aphids: Green apple aphid and woolly apple aphids are climbing in the region with woolly apple aphids moving to terminals.
Codling moth: Codling moth counts are dropping in southeast Michigan, but climbing in Fennville, Michigan. Some codling moth stings have been observed regionally. Additional larvicidal products can start being used at 500-650 growing degree days base 50 degrees Fahrenheit (GDD50) after biofix (May 9 for Romeo) with egg hatch completing around 650 GDD50. We are at 625 GDD50 post biofix. See this article for best management practices.
European apple sawfly: Some damage from European apple sawfly has been reported regionally.
Grape berry moth: Counts are down in southeast Michigan but climbing at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville. Read this article on early season grape berry moth control.
Obliquebanded leafroller: Catches are up, with numbers in the 20s in southeast Michigan.
Oriental fruit moth: Counts are low but starting to climb again in southeast Michigan and at the Trevor Nichols Research Center. Some areas are still between generations while the second generation has started in others.
Pear psylla: Adults have been observed regionally along with some damage. Egg hatch continues.
Plum curculio: Catches have stopped at some sites and are down at others. Adult migration is coming to a close.
San Jose scale: Crawlers have been spotted in the region and can be targeted in a cover spray. Waxing up has not been observed.
Spotted wing drosophila: Females have been caught in southeast Michigan cherry orchards. The hot and humid conditions are likely to encourage their growth. Assess fruit for larvae if you have susceptible crops.
Disease conditions
Apple scab: The rain event last week released any remaining spores regionally, with models now indicating no remaining spores and the end of primary scab season. Very little scab has been reported, indicating low risk for secondary scab.
Brown rot: Fungicides may be used again about three weeks before harvest in stone fruit (some plums and early peaches at this point).
Cherry leaf spot: There is a moderate forecasted risk for cherry leaf spot from June 28-29. See this article on cherry leaf spot management.
Fire blight: Strikes have been reported in southeast Michigan orchards with susceptible varieties and a history of fire blight, but these seem to be isolated.
Grape black rot: Control usually begins at 1-inch shoot length. Some risk is anticipated June 27-28. See this article for grape black rot management options and consult E0154.
Grape downy mildew: Some risk is anticipated June 26-28.
Phomopsis: In blueberries, the Phomopsis fungus is active from bud swell until after harvest.
Powdery mildew of apple and pear: Some powdery mildew has already been reported in the region, though treatments seem to have been effective at keeping it under control. Anticipated risk is high to severe in the next week, June 26-27 and June 29-July 3.
Powdery mildew of grape: Severe risk is anticipated June 26-27 and July 1-3.
Seasonal weather update
In the last week, southeast Michigan has seen on average 22 hours of rain accumulating to roughly 1.8 inches of precipitation. We are about 3 inches ahead of the five-year average and 27 hours of rainfall ahead.
| Liquid Precipitation Accumulation Mar. 1- June 24, 2025, issued June 24, 2025 | ||||
| Station (County) | Rainfall Total (in.) Current | Hours with Rainfall Current | Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) | Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.) |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 11.4 | 206 | 9.1 | 187 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 12.5 | 201 | 9.9 | 182 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 11.5 | 214 | 9.2 | 180 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 12.6 | 189 | 8.5 | 183 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 12.8 | 258 | 9.7 | 190 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 10.1 | 191 | . | . |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 12.9 | 222 | 9.7 | 179 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 10.8 | 202 | 8.4 | 173 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 13.5 | 213 | 7.9 | 191 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 9.3 | 193 | 8.3 | 172 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 8.0 | 243 | 7.5 | 169 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 13.6 | 213 | 8.3 | 172 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 14.1 | 197 | 9.3 | 180 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 10.8 | 180 | 7.9 | 199 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 11.7 | 208.7 | 8.7 | 181.3 |
| Difference in Liquid Precipitation Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed June 16 and June 24, 2025; issued June 24, 2025 | ||||||
| Rainfall Total (in.) | Rainfall Total (in.) | Hours with Rainfall | Hours with Rainfall | |||
| Station (County) | 16-Jun | 24-Jun | Difference | 16-Jun | 24-Jun | Difference |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 9.0 | 11.4 | 2.4 | 183 | 206 | 23.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 11.8 | 12.5 | 0.8 | 194 | 201 | 7.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 10.8 | 11.5 | 0.7 | 201 | 214 | 13.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 9.8 | 12.6 | 2.7 | 167 | 189 | 22.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 10.8 | 12.8 | 2.0 | 201 | 258 | 57.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 8.8 | 10.1 | 1.3 | 172 | 191 | 19.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 12.1 | 12.9 | 0.7 | 215 | 222 | 7.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 9.9 | 10.8 | 0.9 | 181 | 202 | 21.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 10.9 | 13.5 | 2.6 | 194 | 213 | 19.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 7.3 | 9.3 | 2.0 | 169 | 193 | 24.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 6.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 216 | 243 | 27.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 12.4 | 13.6 | 1.2 | 189 | 213 | 24.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 10.6 | 14.1 | 3.5 | 173 | 197 | 24.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 8.2 | 10.8 | 2.6 | 157 | 180 | 23.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 9.9 | 11.7 | 1.8 | 186.6 | 208.7 | 22.1 |
In the short term, we are expecting hot and humid conditions with scattered storms through the end of the week. High temperatures will stay in the upper 80s with lows in the upper 60s all week.
In the medium term, we are expecting above normal temperatures and precipitation to be normal to above normal in addition to a regionally active storm track. The long lead outlooks are calling for both temperature and precipitation to be near to above normal.
Around the region, our growing degree day numbers have remained below but close to the four-year average. In the last week, we gained an average of 197 growing degree days base 50 in the region. Read this Michigan State University Extension article to learn more about degree days: Understanding growing degree-days.
| Degree Day Accumulation Mar. 1-June 24, 2025 Forecast from June 24-July 1, 2025; issued June 24, 2025 | |||||||||
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42°F Current | Degree Days Base 42°F Average (4 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 42°F Forecast | Degree Days Base 45°F Current | Degree Days Base 45°F Average (4 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 45°F Forecast | Degree Days Base 50°F Current | Degree Days Base 50°F Average (4 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 50°F Forecast |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 1401 | 1414 | 1650 | 1169 | 1188 | 1397 | 826 | 860 | 1019 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 1598 | 1598 | 1857 | 1347 | 1355 | 1585 | 976 | 999 | 1178 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 1474 | 1476 | 1720 | 1234 | 1244 | 1459 | 882 | 910 | 1072 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 1288 | 1358 | 1518 | 1063 | 1135 | 1273 | 744 | 814 | 918 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 1502 | 1516 | 1746 | 1262 | 1282 | 1485 | 908 | 941 | 1096 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 1391 | 1442 | 1621 | 1164 | 1217 | 1373 | 836 | 891 | 1011 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 1488 | 1525 | 1744 | 1250 | 1293 | 1486 | 902 | 957 | 1103 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 1469 | 1524 | 1708 | 1233 | 1293 | 1451 | 891 | 954 | 1074 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 1396 | 1417 | 1630 | 1166 | 1193 | 1379 | 829 | 870 | 1007 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 1242 | 1316 | 1464 | 1028 | 1102 | 1229 | 722 | 793 | 889 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 1223 | 1322 | 1432 | 1008 | 1106 | 1196 | 705 | 798 | 858 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 1415 | 1490 | 1649 | 1182 | 1261 | 1396 | 842 | 923 | 1021 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 1392 | 1428 | 1634 | 1158 | 1198 | 1379 | 818 | 865 | 1004 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 1302 | 1363 | 1527 | 1078 | 1144 | 1282 | 759 | 829 | 928 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 1399 | 1442 | 1636 | 1167 | 1215 | 1384 | 831 | 886 | 1013 |
| Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2025 observed June 16 and June 24, 2025; issued June 24, 2025 | |||||||||
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 42°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 45°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F | Degree Days Base 50°F |
| 16-Jun | 24-Jun | Difference | 16-Jun | 24-Jun | Difference | 16-Jun | 24-Jun | Difference | |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 1144 | 1401 | 257.0 | 936 | 1169 | 233.0 | 633 | 826 | 193.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 1329 | 1598 | 269.0 | 1101 | 1347 | 246.0 | 770 | 976 | 206.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 1200 | 1474 | 274.0 | 985 | 1234 | 249.0 | 672 | 882 | 210.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 1042 | 1288 | 246.0 | 842 | 1063 | 221.0 | 562 | 744 | 182.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 1234 | 1502 | 268.0 | 1018 | 1262 | 244.0 | 704 | 908 | 204.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 1125 | 1391 | 266.0 | 922 | 1164 | 242.0 | 634 | 836 | 202.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 1214 | 1488 | 274.0 | 1000 | 1250 | 250.0 | 692 | 902 | 210.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 1195 | 1469 | 274.0 | 983 | 1233 | 250.0 | 681 | 891 | 210.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 1144 | 1396 | 252.0 | 938 | 1166 | 228.0 | 641 | 829 | 188.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 987 | 1242 | 255.0 | 797 | 1028 | 231.0 | 532 | 722 | 190.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 976 | 1223 | 247.0 | 785 | 1008 | 223.0 | 522 | 705 | 183.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 1149 | 1415 | 266.0 | 941 | 1182 | 241.0 | 641 | 842 | 201.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 1133 | 1392 | 259.0 | 923 | 1158 | 235.0 | 623 | 818 | 195.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 1050 | 1302 | 252.0 | 851 | 1078 | 227.0 | 571 | 759 | 188.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 1137 | 1399 | 261 | 930 | 1167 | 237 | 634 | 831 | 197 |
Watch Jeff Andresen's weekly agricultural weather forecast reports here.
More information and reports on normal weather conditions and departures from normal can be found on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center website, NOAA U.S. Climate Normals website, NOAA Climate Normals Quick Access Page (which may be searched by region), and Midwest Regional Climate Center website.
