The lead-up to winter can be one of the most challenging times of the year for anybody in charge of grounds, gardens, or an outdoor space at home. Cold and wet conditions pose a new set of challenges for your fencing, plants, hedging and trees, and the ability to quite literally weather this storm is crucial when it comes to their long-term health and appearance.
Winter is a difficult time for fruit trees in particular. Fruit trees require special attention as they enter into a dormant state and this means that failure to organise the right level of fruit tree care can have disastrous consequences come the following growing season. At Arborcure, we understand the unique challenges that your fruit trees will face and are on hand to help you understand how to take care of them during this critical period.
Why Fruit Tree Care Is Essential In Winter
Before jumping into a well-thought-out fruit tree care schedule, it’s important to understand why your fruit trees will need a little more attention in the winter months. When it is wet, windy and cold (as it often is in winter!), the chances of fruit trees developing issues such as frost damage, pest infestations and waterlogged roots are naturally much higher. If appropriate fruit tree care is not in place, these issues can quickly hamper the long-term health of your trees and result in a poor harvest come spring and summer.
Winter Fruit Tree Care Essentials
Taking care of fruit trees in winter involves a combination of preventative measures and regular monitoring. By following the five steps we have outlined below, you can enter winter with greater confidence that your fruit trees will survive and thrive through more challenging conditions.
1.Tree Pruning
Winter is one of the most critical times of the year to schedule the pruning of your fruit trees. Pruning prepares the trees for the warmer and drier months and shapes the tree in a way that will encourage new growth come spring. This process is particularly effective in winter as this is when the trees are dormant and have lost their leaves which means it’s easier to view their true structure.
The tree pruning process typically involves a combination of tasks, including the removal of dead or damaged branches, the thinning of crowded areas and overall shaping to ensure that the tree is balanced and can support its fruit. While it is possible to carry out these tasks yourself with the right tools, the risk of causing damage by removing the wrong part of the tree is high. You should always seek the support of a qualified arborist, like the team here at Arborcure, who can assist with ensuring that your fruit trees are pruned correctly in winter ahead of the growing season.
2. Cover The Trees
It’s also advisable to consider how your fruit trees are protected in the winter, particularly if you know they are located somewhere that is exposed to the natural elements. If you anticipate your fruit trees to experience extreme cold or high winds, it’s worth considering some physical protection measures or, if your fruit trees are potted, moving them to a different and sheltered location. If this is not possible, covering the trees with a wrap or fleece can give them some added protection against freezing temperatures.
3. Frost Protection
Where freezing temperatures are concerned, frost is one of the biggest threats to fruit trees during winter. Sudden drops in the temperature can cause the bark to crack, the roots to get damaged, and buds to die before they even get the chance to bloom in the spring. The risk of this kind of damage is especially high in young trees that have not fully established themselves yet.
Fortunately, there are a number of very easy tricks you can utilise to protect your fruit trees from frost in winter. Firstly, remember to water the soil before a frost where possible. Though this may sound counterintuitive, moist soil retains heat much better than dry soil and therefore helps to keep the roots warmer during cold conditions. You can also utilise frost covers and blankets during particularly cold nights to provide added warmth.
4. Mulching
Another good way to care for fruit trees in winter (and keep them protected from frost) is by mulching. Mulching is the process of weeding and then adding a small layer of organic mulch to the base of the tree. This helps to insulate the soil, retain moisture and prevent weeds from competing with your tree for water and nutrients, thus giving it the best chance of withstanding the harsh winter conditions.
5. Regular Inspection
Even though fruit trees are dormant in winter, it’s important to remember that they are vulnerable to pests and disease all year round. Certain pests can hide in the bark or fallen leaves and re-emerge in spring, so it’s important to stay aware and keep an eye out for any signs of infection!
You can inspect your fruit trees in winter by looking out for any dark spots, signs of unusual growth or damage to the bark. If you do identify something that doesn’t seem right, speak to a professional and act accordingly. By keeping a close eye on your trees throughout the winter, you can take action before they worsen and jeopardise your yield of fruit in spring and summer.
We hope that these tips have reassured you that your fruit trees can survive the winter with the right levels of care and attention. Tasks like pruning, mulching and frost protection help you to take care of fruit trees in winter and ensure they can produce fruit come the warmer months.
Should you require any further advice or wish to enquire about our tree pruning services, don’t hesitate to speak to the team at Arborcure. Our expert arborists are on hand to assist with all of your winter fruit tree care.
