Why Your Fruit Tree Isn’t Producing Ripe Fruit—and How to Fix It

Growing fruit trees can be one of the most satisfying experiences a gardener can have. The reward of harvesting juicy, fresh fruit is generally why many choose to cultivate these trees. Yet after investing time and care throughout the seasons, it can be disheartening to discover that the fruit has failed to ripen as expected.

Various factors can contribute to this issue, but fortunately, there are solutions that can help you address these challenges. By understanding both the causes and remedies, you can set yourself up for a bountiful harvest. Ahead, fruit tree experts provide possible reasons why the fruit on your fruit tree isn't ripening and how to fix it.

Lack of Pollination

When fruit trees lack adequate cross-pollination, they can sometimes produce small fruitlets, says Blake Cothron, the owner of Peaceful Heritage Nursery LLC. "The main reason trees produce fruit is to spread their seeds and create a new generation of trees," he says. Without pollination, plants cannot produce viable seeds and will not invest energy and resources into producing seedless fruit. Instead, they conserve these resources for the next season, hoping for successful pollination. 

How to fit it:

To support pollination, it’s important to plant compatible trees in close proximity. If a fruit tree is not self-fertile, it will need pollen from a different variety of the same species to bear fruit. Additionally, incorporating flowering herbs and perennials can provide essential nectar and pollen for bees, attracting them to your garden. For future planting, consider selecting self-fertile trees, which can produce fruit without the need for a nearby pollinator.

Insect Infestation

Various insects can infest developing fruit, contributing to premature fruit drop, according to Cothron. Notable examples include the plum curculio and the oriental fruit moth, along with several other types of fruit moths. Cothron explains that these insects deposit their eggs inside or near the fruit. When the larvae hatch, they burrow into the fruit, aiming to consume its most nutritious part— the seed. If the seed is harmed or eaten, the tree rejects the developing fruit, causing it to drop, to conserve resources.

How to fit it:

When planting trees in the future, it is advisable to avoid selecting fruit trees that are highly susceptible to local pests, according to Cothron. For existing pest problems with fruit trees, consider implementing an effective pest control spray program to manage these issues. Eco-friendly pest defense options include neem oil, horticultural oil, garlic spray, and insecticidal soap.

Lack of Sunlight

Lack of sunlight leads to insufficient photosynthesis, which can impede fruit maturity, says Tara Ghook, co-owner of Joyful Sprouts Organic Farm.  A lack of sunlight disrupts the energy-producing process of photosynthesis, preventing the tree from creating the sugars and compounds necessary for sweetness, color, and overall fruit development. In low-light conditions, the fruit lacks the energy essential to ripen fully, resulting in smaller, unripe fruit sets.

How to fix it:

Most established trees cannot be moved, so your next best option is to remove any nearby plants that may be blocking sunlight. Additionally, you can strategically prune the branches to open the tree's canopy by removing any dead, diseased, crossing, or crowded branches. To effectively open the tree’s canopy, aim to remove about one-third of the new growth. This will allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy, providing light and airflow.

Don't Miss

To Grow Thriving Fruit Trees in Your Garden, Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes

When to Stop Watering Fruit Trees to Prevent Long-Term Damage, According to Experts

Crop Overload

A tree laden with fruit is a beautiful sight, but an overabundance of fruit can hinder the ripening process. When too many fruits grow on a tree, it stretches the plant's limited energy and resources thin, making it harder for each fruit to accumulate the essential sugars and compounds needed for perfect ripening. In essence, the tree's energy is consumed by maintaining the existing fruits, rather than being directed toward helping them reach their full potential.

How to fix it:

Thin out the smaller, less developed fruits, keeping only the larger, undamaged ones. Begin this process as soon as the fruit has set, ideally when they are about the size of a dime or nickel. To enhance the size and quality of the remaining fruit, aim to leave one fruit for every 6 inches.

Improper Watering

Improper watering, including both drought stress and waterlogging, may lead to an unhealthy root system, which directly affects fruit ripening. Overwatering fruit trees can suffocate their roots, resulting in root rot and fungal disease, while underwatering can cause leaves to curl, yellow, and fruit to drop prematurely. A healthy root system is essential for fruit trees, as it directly impacts their ability to produce healthy and fully ripened fruit.

How to fix it:

For healthy ripening, it's essential to keep a regular watering schedule. Aim to provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing seasons, and avoid watering if there has been heavy rainfall. The soil should remain moist but not overly soggy. Investing in a soil moisture gauge can help you accurately measure the soil's moisture content, indicating when it's time to water.

Over-pruning

Pruning is crucial for maintaining the structure and health of trees, but excessive pruning can shock them and interfere with fruit ripening. When a fruit tree is over-pruned, it diverts its energy from fruit production to excessive vegetative growth. This overabundance of growth can come at the expense of developing and maturing fruit, resulting in a halt in the ripening process.

How to fix it:

When pruning your fruit tree, it's important to avoid removing more than one-third of the branches at once. Kalyn Butt, a horticulturist at Longwood Gardens, recommends pruning fruit trees at the time of planting and then annually in late winter or early spring. Pruning excessively, unless you're removing dead or diseased branches, can lead to over-pruning, which negatively affects the overall quality of the fruit.

Poor Soil Health

Healthy soil enriched with organic matter is essential for the robust growth of trees and their fruit production. When the soil is deficient in key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—or when there is an imbalance with excess levels—it can lead a tree to prioritize vegetative growth over fruit production. Additionally, an incorrect soil pH can significantly disrupt fruit maturity by influencing nutrient availability, microbial activity, and plant photosynthesis, all of which are critical to fruit development, size, and overall quality.

How to fit it:

The first and most crucial step is to obtain a soil test. This test will determine the pH of your soil and help you identify any nutrients that are lacking or out of balance. It is also advisable to regularly add organic matter to the soil around your fruit trees. Options such as compost, manure, or mulch can improve soil structure, retain moisture, and gradually provide essential nutrients, which boost soil fertility.