Jan 21, 2025

2025 Apple Tree Decline Summit scheduled

The registration deadline is approaching for the 2025 Apple Tree Decline Summit.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 27 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The all-day event, in-person and virtual, is the day before the official start of the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention at the Hershey Lodge.

The event is free. A zoom link will be provided closer to the event.

The event is designed to tackle apple tree decline. All are welcome to attend, according to a news release.

What is the purpose of the 2025 Apple Tree Decline Summit?

“There have been many instances of apple tree decline over the last many years: RAD, soilborne diseases, viruses, winter injury, herbicide injury – just to name a few,” according to a news release. “The purpose of the summit is to bring together folks of different backgrounds and expertise to discuss the latest research and observations involving apple tree decline. 

“Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the 2024 Apple Decline Summit on Aug.  2, 2024, and the importance of apple tree decline, we decided to host another summit in 2025 with similar topics (RAD, soilborne diseases, viruses, winter injury, herbicide injury, etc.) discussed in 2024”.

The event is open to anyone connected to the apple industry, including growers, packers, nurseries, researchers (academic/ federal), Extension, state and federal agencies and consultants.

The registration deadline is Jan. 24. 

Registration information is available here.

Speakers include:

• Anna Wunsch, Cornell: Understanding how irrigation water can be a source for soilborne diseases in the orchard
• Jason Londo, Cornell: Examining the potential role of cold damage in rootstock shank damage and decline
• Daniel Donahue, Cornell: Observations of apple decline over 11 seasons in Eastern New York
• Mike Basedow, Cornell: Can trunk protection deter herbicide damage in New York orchards?
• Tami Collum, USDA-ARS: Apple tree decline research at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station
• Oscar Pietro Hurtado-Gonzales, USDA-APHIS: USDA APHIS PPQ Pome Quarantine Program Update
• Kristy Grigg-McGuffin, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Update on Ontario’s tree collapse issues
• Jesse MacDonald, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada BC: Update on apple tree decline issues in Western Canada
• Sara Villani, NCSU: Fungi, fire blight, and beetles: A rapid update on Rapid Apple Decline in NC
• Cameron Mehalek. Penn State: Southern blight: A soilborne disease threatening Pennsylvania apple orchards
• Kari Peter, Penn State: Research update about Rapid Apple Decline (RAD) and other tree health issues in Pennsylvania

Read more about the event here, or contact Kari Peter at [email protected] or 717-778-4587