Summer is here and fruit trees in
your yard probably haveabundant new growth andthe fruits are sizing up nicely. At
this time of year, it is imperative that you keep up with fruit tree care
in San Francisco, Hillsborough and Alameda, so you can avoid insect infestation,
disease, and weather-related problems. Here are some things to remember when
caring for your fruit trees this summer.
Inspect
Frequently
Examine your fruit tree bark,
branches, leaves, and developing fruits often. Look for signs of insects and
diseases and apply the suitable organic controls. It is usually easier to
control pests if you act before or just as they are getting established, than
to control them after they have caused lots of damage.
Water
Often
Fruit trees need water to develop
their fruit properly. It is best to water deeply and infrequently rather than
frequent andshallow watering. Water trees on sandy soils every 1 to 2 weeks
providing enough water so it sinks 2 feet into the soil. On clay soils, water
every 2 to 3 weeks. The frequency will vary depending on weather conditions. You
can water less during rainy periods and more during droughts. For young trees,
make a moat around the base of the tree so the water stays in the root zone and
on older trees, water at the drip line of the tree.
Control
Weeds with Mulch
It is important to keep the base of
your fruit trees weed free. Spread a 2 to 3-inch thick layer of organic mulch,
such as pine straw or bark mulch, over the root zone but keep it a few inches
away from the trunk. The mulch creates a no-mow ring around the tree trunk so it
is less likely to damage the tree with a lawn mower or string trimmer. On
younger trees, mulch reduces weed competition and keeps the soil moist longer,
reducing the need to water. As organic mulch also breaks down gradually, the
mulch provides organic matter to the soil.
Fertilize
Trees, if Necessary
This takes some thought. How much to fertilize your fruit tree depends on how well the tree is growing.
Adding compost around the base of young fruit trees (but a few inches away from
the trunk) and at the drip line of older trees, is always a good practice. Base
any other fertilizing on a soil test and the growth of your tree. For example, for
non-bearing apple trees, yearly shoot growth should be between 24 to 36 inches;
for pears, 12 to 26 inches; and for peaches, 16 to 24 inches. In
fruit-producing apple trees, shoot growth should be between 12 to 24 inches;
for pears, 6 to 12 inches; and for peaches, 10 to 18 inches. The soil pH for
most fruit trees should be around 6.5 to 7.0. It is best to apply fertilizer early
in the summer season. Do not fertilize in late summer or you'll stimulate new
growth which may be winter injured and tree hardening off will be delayed for
winter.
Fruit
Thinning
Most fruit trees produce more fruit
than the tree can support. While the tree will naturally shed some fruit during
an early summer drop, you may need to thin more than nature does. Thinning
fruits eliminates diseased or insect infested fruits, reduces fruit load,
prevents branches from breaking during the summer from the heavy weight of the
excessive fruits, and prevents alternate year bearing which is common on some
fruit trees varieties. Wait until after the natural drop to thin your fruits.
The fruits should be about 1-inch in diameter when you're thinning them. Leave
the largest, healthiest looking fruit on the tree, and favor fruits located
towards the outside and upper portions of the tree. These will receive the most
sun and produce the best quality fruits. With a light bearing year, thin less.
Thin more during heavy fruit set years.
Here are some spacing guidelines for
thinning fruits on common tree fruits.
- Apricots, Cherries, and Plums – thin to 2 to 4 inches
apart
- Peaches and Nectarines –thin to 3 to 5 inches apart
- Apples and Pears – thin to one or two fruits per
cluster, spaced 6 to 8 inches apart
Spread
Branches
On young fruit trees, encourage
strong branch or crotch angles by spreading the branches. Branches spread to a
45 degree angle or greater with the trunk will be stronger and produce less
vegetative growth and more fruit. You can use wooden spreaders placed between
narrow-angled branches to slowly force them apart, or take fishing line with
weights attached and tie them to ends of smaller branches needing to grow more
horizontally. After one year the branches will be naturally be growing at the
right angle and the spreaders can be removed.
Pruning
There are
several approaches to summer-pruning fruit trees, and all are dedicated to
detecting what needs correcting. Here are some recommendations:
·
Despite
being considered “off-season pruning,” summer pruning of fruit trees in a home
orchard has its place. For example, summer pruning may be necessary to repair
damaged tree limbs. If a branch is broken by the wind or by a heavy load of
fruit, then prune back the ragged edges, making a smooth cut that leaves no
stubby stump.
·
Summer
pruning, or pinching, of tender new branches is also recommended to encourage
huskier growth in vigorously vegetative trees. This discourages long, weak,
“leggy” growth from flourishing. Summer pinching helps manage the tree’s
overall size as well, which is especially handy if your dwarf fruit trees tend
to be more on the robust side.
·
There
are many reasons to consider summer pruning of fruit trees, but the ultimate
purpose remains the same: detecting what needs correcting.
When to consider summer pruning:
Pruning
should be done in July and early August. This is the active growing season as
growth slows down in fall. This also helpsin situations where a harsh winter and
spring may delay new growth.
The
following fruit trees are commonly considered for summer pruning. These trees
tend to grow vigorously. They may reach their maximum height sooner than other
fruit trees, but at the expense of sturdy, stocky limbs. They may also develop
light and airflow issues that pruning addresses.
·
Peach
trees
·
Nectarine
trees
·
Japanese
plum trees
Goals of summer pruning:
·
Removal
of dead, damaged, diseased limbs before they become stress factors for your
tree. Be sure to remove crossing/rubbing limbs, and limbs that grow inward
toward the tree’s center.
·
Creating
a sturdy structure. As noted previously, long, weak growth should be pinched
back. Hand pinch, or prune, approximately 3 inches off the end of each soft,
leafy shoot. Repeat in late summer if side shoots grow rapidly out.
Benefits to summer pruning of fruit
trees:
·
Enhances
light exposure. In young fruit trees, light improves the development of
fruiting wood. In mature fruit-bearing trees, light improves fruit
size/quality. In fruit trees of all ages, proper light and air circulation
reduce the risk of fungal disease.
·
Encourages
sturdier branch development. With pruning, your tree will have stockier,
sturdier growth providing better support fruit in future seasons.
·
Provides
opportunity to check on tree status to address pests/disease issues, ideally
before they are bigger problems. Tree limbs are spread if they are
growing too vertically and the removal any suckers and watersprouts that
may have appeared.
Things to avoid when summer pruning:
·
Avoid
pruning if rain is in the immediate forecast. Rain can aggravate disease
elements, like fungal spores, that may take advantage of fresh pruning cuts.
Wait for the weather to be more cooperative.
·
Avoid
heavy pruning in summer. Summer pruning should merely maintain the structure
which you define with heavier pruning in winter/early spring. Heavy pruning
should always be saved for when fruit trees are dormant and less prone to
stress.
· Avoid
pruning too late. It may seem backward, but pruning actually encourages growth.
If this growth is encouraged too late in the season, it could be at risk of
winter injury. If you miss your “summer pruning window”, just wait to prune in
the winter/early spring instead.
Please note,
do not wait to remove damaged, dead, or diseased limbs, or suckers and
watersprouts. These should be removed as soon as possible.
With these
things in mind, and pruners in hand, you are ready for summer pruning of your
prized fruit trees. Arborist Now is here to help when summer fun takes
precedence over summer tree care chores in San Francisco and surrounding areas.
Just give us a call!
Website: https://www.arboristnow.com/
Phone: 1-415-310-7781
Email: contact@arboristnow.com
Address: 2025 Newcomb Ave., Unit C-3
San Francisco, CA 94124
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