Autumn is that time of the year when bright and colorful leaves signal the beginning of the cold season. As the season intenstifies, most homeowners start thinking about ways to prepare their gardens for winter. This usually includes a variety of chores, such as tidying up, planting bulbs for the spring, and, quite commonly, pruning trees. However, industry expert, Susan Poizner, cautions against carrying out this gardening task, especially in the case of fruit trees.
According to Susan, founder of a leading entity in fruit tree care, pruning fruit trees would not be advisable in the fall. She indicates the reason for this counsel is tied to the subsequent effects of this gardening task on the trees. More specifically, post-prune trees tend not to heal ideally in the colder months. Consequently, the cuts from the pruning process stay open, potentially inviting pests and diseases, thereby leaving the trees vulnerable.
Furthermore, autumn pruning can also stimulate the emergence of tender new growth. This new growth, however, is quite susceptible to damage from frost. As a result, homeowners could inadvertently be harming their trees rather than preparing them for the winter months by pruning in the fall.
Instead, Susan advises waiting until the late winter to prune the fruit trees. The late winter pruning promotes robust and vigorous growth, which is particularly beneficial for young trees. For those wishing to manage the tree’s growth, early to mid-summer pruning is recommended. During the summer, the fruit tree concentrates on fruit production rather than creating new shoots.
Does this mean all fruit trees would suffer from fall pruning? Yes, states Susan. Regardless of the species of the tree, fall pruning should generally be avoided. “You should never need to do fall pruning. Do late winter/early spring or summer pruning instead. There is no benefit to fall pruning,” emphasizes Susan.
However, it’s worth noting that certain fruit trees exhibit remarkable resilience to winter weather and are not vulnerable to the effects of fall pruning as others. These include certain varieties of apples, pears, and plums, most of which have been designed to endure harsh winters. When making a choice of a fruit tree, Susan highlights the importance of choosing a variety that thrives in your plant hardiness zone as these trees are naturally adapted to handle cold temperatures.
Moving on to other misconceptions around autumn gardening, Susan alerts against the use of fertilizer in the fall. This action is particularly harmful as it can stimulate new growth in a season when the tree should be entering dormancy. The resulting tender shoots from fertilization can’t withstand the cold winter and may break during a hard frost.
Often, gardeners consider it beneficial to provide the trees with added nutrients ahead of the winter months through fertilization, but this can have the opposite effect, leading to weakening the trees.
Rather than pruning or fertilizing, Susan advises resorting to mulching. Mulching during the fall is beneficial as it protects the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients that the tree requires. If these tiny roots die during the winter, the tree could face nutritional deficiencies that may impact fruit production in the spring. A good layer of mulch helps keep the feeder roots insulated and healthy, significantly contributing to a fruitful harvest in the spring. In conclusion, thoughtfulness, and an informed approach are key in caring for your trees through the autumn.
