2026 Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Maturity Report - August 10

Introduction

Correction: the column headings for soluble solids and starch index were reversed in the previously published version of this report. This has been fixed. Extension regrets the error. (2026-08-12).

Welcome to Penn State Extension's weekly apple maturity reports. Maturity metrics for key varieties will be tracked across the state throughout the 2026 season.

In this stressful year, with crops decimated by multiple springtime freeze events and hot, dry early summer weather, informed harvest timing recommendations are critical for fruit quality, particularly for apples in mid- to long-term storage. Balancing harvest decisions against sugar accumulation, color development, starch clearing, and firmness drop is difficult to perform in a normal year. These reports serve to provide insight and help inform management decisions.

Out of respect for our collaborators' need to squeeze out as much profit as possible from their available fruit, sampling of varieties may occur a week or more later than in previous years in order to reduce Penn State Extension's impact on their harvest. Please bear this in mind as recommendations this year may require quick action.

Adams County

The past week brought 2.77 inches of rain at the FREC weather station, along with several strong storms that moved through the region, causing scattered damage. Damage was not limited to ornamental/landscaping trees; the saturated soils combined with high winds toppled at least one row of trellised apples on Bud.9 rootstocks. (Figure 1 and the lead image). Yet another win for 2026.

The wet, active pattern is expected to continue this week, with showers and thunderstorms possible on most days and temperatures running in the upper 70s to low 80s. Forecasters are also watching a low-pressure system off the Southeast coast that could develop into a tropical system and add to the rainfall. With more moisture on the way, growers should be mindful of the cracking pressure that comes with prolonged wet conditions, especially on riper fruit.

Varietal Analysis

Disclaimer #1: These measurements were taken mostly from blocks carrying close to a full crop load. If your block has a lighter crop load, fruit may ripen as much as a week ahead of the values reported here, so adjust your harvest timing accordingly.

Disclaimer #2: Data from Autumn Crisp (NY674 cv.) is presented but not analyzed as it is not a common cultivar. Autumn Crisp is a Golden Delicious × Monroe cross, so those unfamiliar with its characteristics may use Golden Delicious as a baseline and make adjustments based on local observation. Starch index data for Autumn Crisp was not available at the time of observation, with the index patterns of Golden Delicious used instead. Growers should take this into account when assess the crop.

Gala (Buckeye®) showed the most visible change on the tree, with red color jumping from 42% last week to 72% this week. Internally, maturity has moved a little bit but not by much. The Starch index moved from 2.7 to 3.0 and soluble solids ticked up only modestly to 10.7 °Bx. Firmness is still holding strong near 25.4 lb, and notably the fruit gained very little size (147 to 157 g) despite the rain, a much smaller bump than the Honeycrisp put on. With good firmness and starch still on the low side, this block could still use a week to size up and develop more color and can have a first pick next week destined for long term storage.

Honeycrisp (Premier®) moved the most of any variety and is now overripe. Starch index climbed from 4.8 to 6.6, firmness dropped sharply from 20.9 to 17.4 lb, soluble solids rose to 12.3 °Bx, and red color roughly tripled to 22.5%, with fruit also sizing up to 322 g. If any fruit remains on these trees, it needs to be harvested immediately.

Honeycrisp (Original Strain) put on considerable size this week, averaging 303 g compared to 219 g last week, largely aided by the rainfall (some variability in fruit size due to sample). Maturity indices, though, are essentially unchanged: starch held around 2.0 to 2.2, firmness steady near 22 lb, and soluble solids flat at 11.5 °Bx. Red color remains low. This block has not meaningfully advanced in ripeness over the week.

Berks

Overall, Berks County is running behind the Adams County blocks in maturity, so growers here have a bit more time before first picks.

Varietal Analysis

Gala came in at 269 g with 55.5% red color, a background of 1.8, firmness of 25.1 lb, and soluble solids of 11.3 °Bx. Color and sugars are coming along, but the starch index of 1 shows essentially no starch conversion yet—these are not ready to pick and need more time to develop internally.

Honeycrisp measured 184 g with 39% red color, a background of 3.0, firmness of 19.5 lb, and soluble solids already high at 13 °Bx. Despite the good sugar reading, the starch index of 1 indicates the fruit is still early and has not begun converting starch. Hold for now and continue checking over the coming weeks.

Acknowledgements

Starch index values were determined by referencing the Starch Index Scale publication by Dr. Randy Beaudry and the MSU Apple Maturity Program at Michigan State University. The page referenced by the hyperlink provides access to a PDF copy of the document that can be freely download.

Because of low crop set throughout our usual sampling regions, we are indebted to the following orchards for sacrificing fruit each week to make these reports possible:

• In Adams County, Penn State wishes to thank Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., in Biglerville, and Hector Mateos in particular for his assistance.
• In Berks County, Penn State wishes to thank Keim Orchard and Frecon Farms in Boyertown, and Ben Keim and Steve Frecon, respectively for their collaboration.

Their kindness and generosity deserves acknowledgement.

Conclusions

Commercial fruit growers, please note: apple maturity conditions need to be monitored at a local level within one's own orchard. Before chemical products are applied, be sure to comply with current federal, state, and local usage regulations and examine the product label. Product information can be easily obtained online from CDMS.

This series of updates is made possible by a State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania (SHAP) Extension Grant (Pennsylvania Apple Maturity Program). The authors thank SHAP for the funding and thank the growers participating in these updates and allowing access to their orchards to sample fruit.