Fruit
bud initiation in apple trees occurs generally from about
June in the year before the fruit is produced. By November
a plump, round bud will have formed which carries the flowers
in April and May. The bud scales on fruit buds are typically
downy, especially on apples, pears, peaches and nectarines.
Fruit buds are found in the following situations:
1. On two-year-old weak shoots. Such shoots are invariably
nearer the horizontal than vertical.
2. As short stubby spurs of between 1-10cm (0.5-4in) long
on the older branches.
3. On the tips of one-year-old shoots produced characteristically
by tip-bearing apples such as 'Irish Peach' and 'Worcester
Pearmain'.
4. Occasionally, maiden fruit buds are formed along the current
year's growth. This is quite common with 'Golden Delicious'
and its sports.
Wood or growth buds (i.e. buds carrying leaves but no flowers) on the other hand are easily distinguished by being slender, pointed buds borne in a leaf axil. These buds are usually much smaller and more insignificant than fruit buds. In summer, fruit buds will generally be seen to be 'supported' by a surrounding cluster of leaves, perhaps the rosette of a spur, or the tip of a shoot.