Main points
- Comprehensive tree protection in spring is carried out in four stages, focusing on weather conditions and the condition of the buds.
- Copper or iron-based preparations are used to treat trees, and systemic preparations are used for later stages.
When and how to treat trees in spring / Depositphotos
A bountiful harvest in summer and autumn requires a lot of work from gardeners. To prevent pests from damaging the trees, it is necessary to treat them in early spring.
When to treat trees in spring?
Experienced gardeners advise carrying out comprehensive tree protection in several stages, focusing not on the calendar, but on weather conditions and the condition of the buds, writes World of Plants.
First of all, you should focus on the air temperature:
- The average daily temperature should remain at +4 – 6°C.
- At night, the thermometer should not fall below -5 °C, as freezing of the solution in the cracks of the bark can damage the trees.
Comprehensive garden treatment is best carried out in four stages , each of which has its own purpose:
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First stage
It is carried out in early spring, when the buds are still “dormant.” During this period, winter pests and pathogens that hide in the cracks of the bark or in the soil near the trunk are destroyed.
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Second stage
It falls during the so-called “green cone” phase, when the buds are starting to open but the leaves have not yet appeared. This is when insects become active and can damage the young shoots.
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Third stage
Sprayed before flowering begins. Its main task is to protect the buds and future ovary from pests that can damage the flowers.
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Fourth stage
It is carried out after the petals fall to protect young fruits from insects and fungal diseases.
Worth knowing! There is a common myth that one spraying of trees in the spring is enough. In fact, at each stage of development, the garden is attacked by various pests and diseases. That is why experts advise carrying out a full complex of several treatments.
How to treat trees?
For early treatment, experienced owners most often use copper or iron-based preparations, writes Dendro Protect:
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Nitrofen is a powerful remedy against larvae and lichens, but is only suitable for stages 1 and 2;
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Copper sulfate helps against fungi and for wound healing;
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Iron sulfate fights moss, lichens and increases the tree's immunity;
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Urea (carbamide) works both as a fungicide and as a nitrogen fertilizer.
For later stages, systemic drugs are used, such as “Skor”, “Horus”, “Aktara”, etc., which penetrate the plant and protect it from the inside.
Note that when spraying trees, it is necessary to thoroughly wet not only the thin branches, but also the trunk and the soil around the tree. It is there, in the cracks of the old bark and in the ground, that an “army” of pests hides, waiting for their time.
In general, it is best to treat trees in the morning (before 10:00 a.m.) or in the evening so that the sun does not evaporate the water too quickly, increasing the concentration of the products.
Important! Modern preparations decompose after about a month. Therefore, it is important to stop chemical treatment before the fruits appear, so as not to disturb the bees and not spoil the harvest with toxins. From May, when the temperature rises to +15 °C, you can safely switch to biological tree protection products.
What trees to plant in spring?
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In the spring, experts advise planting the most common fruit trees that adapt well to the climatic conditions of Ukraine and produce a stable harvest.
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Pears are best planted in early spring. It is important to do this before the onset of sustained heat. The trees take root well in sunny areas with light and well-drained soil.
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Apple trees are also suitable for spring planting, especially in temperate regions. For small garden plots, experts often advise choosing dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties, which take up less space.
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It is advisable to plant plums before the trees begin to actively awaken. Planting during this period helps reduce stress for the plant and improves its establishment. To ensure better pollination and a higher yield, gardeners recommend planting at least two different plum varieties.