Erik's Gardening Tips

supporting the weight of the fruit crop on your fruit trees

Now is a good time to use 'props' to support the weight of the fruit crop on your fruit trees. This can be done in any number of ways and with all kinds of items, the goal being to support the weight of the fruit and prevent breakage of the branches due to this added weight of fruits.
All your previous care in pruning is helping to support the fruit crop now on your fruit trees. Hopefully you have thinned the excess fruit so it is spaced well apart. 'Props' are those supports usually cut from wood (poles, tree trunks, stakes, etc.) that support the weight of the fruit and prevent branches from breaking due to the heavy fruit on those branches. Anywhere you notice the branch bending excessively, just 'prop' a stake under that branch to support it. Some also lightly tie the prop to the branch in windy areas. This is just a temporary measure and is removed once the fruit is harvested.
if those small branches are bending a lot, you can also use string or wire to support those little branches.
Apples, apricots, pears, peaches and nectarines, plums, persimmons, pluots, plumcots, apriums will all benefit from having a heavy crop supported until it is harvested.
Good luck, and enjoy your tree ripened fruits!