Tree Care and Maintenance

Seasonal Tree Care Tips Winter
Fruit Tree Maintenance 

Caring for fruit trees might seem intimidating at first, but it’s easier than you may think. Routine maintenance and annual pruning can help promote fruit production, improve fruit quality, develop strong structure to support a heavy crop of fruit, and maintain the overall size of the tree for easy and safer harvesting.

At the start of winter, remove any dropped rotting fruit from the ground or fruit remaining on the tree to help limit fungal diseases. Then, apply a 3-inch layer of arborist chip mulch on the ground surface to help moderate soil temperature and retain soil moisture, just avoid piling mulch against the tree trunk. Then, get ready to prune!

Winter is generally the best time of year to prune deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears, and cherries. Plan to prune between December through February, when all danger from fall or early winter freeze has passed and before full bloom in spring. There are many exceptions for certain other types of fruit trees. For example, apricot trees are highly susceptible to water-borne fungal diseases and should generally be pruned during the dry season, no later than August. Check with your local tree nursery or the Oregon State University Extension for advice on when to prune other fruit tree species.

Fruit tree diseases can be limited by sterilizing your pruning shears before use with denatured alcohol (e.g., isopropyl alcohol or acetone) and by learning to make proper pruning cuts. “Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard” is a great resource for learning how to actively manage your fruit trees.

Learn more about fruit tree maintenance by visiting these sites:

 

 Please check back for more seasonal tree care and maintenance advice!

Link to Tree Care and Maintenance Archives
 

Archives

Fall 2024: For a Healthier Yard, Leave the Leaves

Summer 2024: Tree Risk Assessment

Spring 2024: Invasive Ivy Removal

Winter 2024: Clean and Sharp Pruners

Fall 2023: Mediterranean Oak Borer

Summer 2023: Supplemental Watering and Mulch to Prevent Drought Stress in Trees

Spring 2023: Aphids

Winter 2023: Pruning: Standards and Best Practices

Summer/Fall 2023: Emerald Ash Borer

Winter/Spring 2022: Nesting Season

Fall 2021: Healthy Trees are Defended Trees

Special Edition: After the Storm

Winter 2021: What is an Arborist?

Fall 2020: Soil Management  

Summer 2020: Retaining and Creating Snags for Wildlife

Spring 2020: Mulch: Numerous Benefits and Easy Application

Winter 2020: Tree Planting: To Stake or Not to Stake?

Fall 2019: Insects and Diseases

​Summer 2019: Drought Stress Revisited

Spring 2019: Trees and Construction

Winter 2019: Topped Tree

Fall 2018: Autumn Leaves

Summer 2018: Emerald Ash Borer

Spring 2018: Pruning Young Trees

Winter 2017: Tree Related Storm Damage

Fall 2017: New Tree Selection and Planting

Summer 2017: Trees and Turfgrasses

Spring 2017: English Ivy Removal

Winter 2017: Recognizing Tree Risk

Summer 2016: Drought Stress

Fall 2016: Preparing Trees for Winter

 

Additional Tree Care Resources:
 

National Arbor Day Foundation The Morton Arboretum
Oregon Department of Forestry Tree Care Info
ISA Find an Arborist Alliance for Community Trees
Oregon Department of Forestry  

 

Right Tree in the Right Place

Use this handy guide for assistance in choosing the right species of tree based on the constraints of a site, such as overhead wires, narrow plant strips, and proximity to structures.

"Right Tree Right Place" - helpful information such as "Use this guide for assistance in choosing the right species of tree based on the constraints of a site, such as overhead wires, narrow plant strips, and proximity to structures."

"Master Plant List" - a guide to the plants that are acceptable for mitigation requirements in Lake Oswego.