# Spraying my apple trees **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 13, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200 "2003-03-13T22:55:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sassafras\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Sassafras\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras_Kid)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/1 "2003-03-13T22:55:08Z")
Last year we moved into a house that has a mini orchard in the back yard: two apple, a cherry and a pear tree. Worms and assorted fungus destroyed the apple crops, so I need to spray the apple trees soon with dormant oil to kill the overwintering bugs & fungi. Every store I stop in to ask about sprayers, can’t seem to answer my questions. All I need to know is what kind of sprayer sprays a stream that can reach up a 20 foot tree. Can anyone with a few fruit trees point me to a make or model sprayer under $150 (US)? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/2 "2003-03-14T03:30:11Z")
Lots of portable pressure sprayers out there for the home gardener, usually run about 45 bucks. What kind of stores have you been asking at? [http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Product.asp?PG=706](http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Product.asp?PG=706) [http://homeharvest.com/waterspray.htm](http://homeharvest.com/waterspray.htm) [http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?a=a&pcd=5112696&ccsyn=157&ccsid=134856633-9662](http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?a=a&pcd=5112696&ccsyn=157&ccsid=134856633-9662) With only two trees to spray, if the stream doesn’t reach, get a ladder. ---
**Author:** ![Sassafras\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Sassafras\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras_Kid)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/3 "2003-03-14T03:46:07Z")
Thanks for the links DDG. I have seen similar at local hardware stores (Home Depot, ACE) But because the trees were poorly pruned over the years, they are tall and broad. So I need a good sprayer with some distance and range. I guess a better question would be does the PSI of a sprayer equal distance? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/4 "2003-03-14T03:48:38Z")
The distance a sprayer can reach is a function of the pressure and the nozzle orifice diameter. If the people selling them are knowledgeable about them, they should be able to recommend one that will suit your needs. Ask around. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/5 "2003-03-14T04:18:50Z")
I take back the ladder. :o [http://www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/SB-40.htm](http://www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/SB-40.htm) > [@](#): > > Prune trees so you can reach all parts with your home orchard sprayer. Large trees are difficult to spray thoroughly and you will need an extension rod to get proper spray coverage. It is unsafe to spray fruit trees while using a ladder. Anyway, found this, further down the page. [http://homeharvest.com/waterspray.htm](http://homeharvest.com/waterspray.htm) > [@](#): > > Hudson® Trombone Tree & Shrub Sprayers > > This is the sprayer you need to reach those tall trees. Trombone sprayer works from your bucket of premixed fertilizer for foliar feeding or pesticide for application of liquids to areas unreachable by conventional sprayers. Spot sprays up to 25 feet high. Also adjusts to a fine mist ideal for low-growing plants. Easy to use hand pump action. Long-life nickel-plated brass pump with a tough vinyl hose. Basic model 61219 does not include easy-grip handles as shown but is otherwise identical. Still only $49.95. And these folks offer a telescoping wand, $29. [http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?a=a&pcd=5015606&ccsyn=157](http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?a=a&pcd=5015606&ccsyn=157) > [@](#): > > This attachment extends the reach of our coil hose into tight corners and overhead baskets. Telescoping wand zooms from 18" to 24" and has nine spray options from jet to mist. Coil hoses available right. Methinks you need a garden center rather than a Home Depot. West Chester is in the Philly area? There must be some big garden centers around there. Call them and ask them what everybody else uses. ---
**Author:** ![Sassafras\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Sassafras\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras_Kid)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spraying-my-apple-trees/161200/6 "2003-03-15T22:30:31Z")
Just got back from a trip to Agway…worthless. I asked, “How far can this sprayer spray?” “Mmm…what does the box say” Replied the clerk -and so far and so on Time to find my County Ag. Extention Agent, with my luck so far I’ll get Hank Kimble