The most common tree fruits grown in home orchards are apples, pears (European and Asian), and stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, pluots, and cherries). Apple trees are commonly ...

But back home at his main orchard, McFarland said he’s seeing his apple trees struggle with fire blight from too much rain. “It comes in and it infects the new growing shoots or the flowers.

LESLIE DUFFY BECAUSE BEES ARE VITAL TO POLLINATING APPLE BLOSSOMS, DUFFY IS A VOLUNTEER AT THE NEW ENGLAND BOTANIC GARDEN AT TOWER HILL. THEIR ORCHARD WAS WIPED OUT BY FIRE BLIGHT A FEW YEARS AGO.