This entire discussion meanders around the issue of how fruit ripeness is to be judged, and how it seems to be hard to nail down all the details. A few years ago I read that a particular obscure pear which grows on the Frost Ranch near here consistently wins taste tests at the county fair. That's nice, I thought, and I set about to get a scion for my tree, which I did. I also read that pears are known for being a mite particular about when they are picked, how they are ripened, and so on, to be at their peak. So clearly we are aiming at an ever-moving target here! So how do we know we're judging a fruit at its peak? Vintners understand this problem with grapes, and that's why vintage matters with at least some wines, but such niceties aren't much discussed with apples, pears, peaches, and plums, if I understand correctly. So is the Frost pear winning taste tests because it's the best pear, or because it doesn't take some special expertise to ripen it properly? Today I was luvvin' my little pear tree and I realized I'd squished something; at my right heel was half a Frost pear and a bit of squish. This was my first Frost pear, and I'd just squished half of it! I picked up the un-squished half and ate it. Boy, it was good. :-)Mark

hey chet.. you a really FREAKIN frustrated.. it says at the link: The use rate is 1 ounce of the product per 1 inch of distance around the tree trunk (circumference). ===>>> that means the circumference of the TRUNK.. not the branches.. or canopy ... so a 5 inch circumference trunk would require 5 oz.. properly diluted in however much water they tell you to use ... and there is a specific height at which you measure ... now.. what is the circumference of the TRUNK???? and if the trunk is 188 inches.. that is ONE BIG FREAKIN' SPRUCE .... which i doubt you can pick by hand anyway .... hope you see some humor in this.. ken PS: my hope would be that you can wipe out a generation.. and then be free of having to do this every year .. but i really dont know much about this specific bug.. except that one type in endemic to hemlock ... if this particular bug is that bad in your area.... perhaps removal is cheaper than a lifetime of care.. sounds like an issue for resin ... or one of the tree scientists ... Here is a link that might be useful: link

Ohh Carol so nice to talk to you!! How are you? Sorry to hear that your hubby has been ill and congrats on your new grandson too!!

Oh no! Another game I saved. I got 65 on my best try, which surprised me. I thought I may get about 40. I play games and justify it by thinking it either keeps my brain going on my eye-hand coordination going. ;-)