| Fall Fruit Tree Care and Pruning for the southwest | | | | harvest during the fall season. |
| There are a number of things you should do to | | | | Fig trees are productive with or without heavy |
| your fruit trees before winter to ensure the best | | | | pruning. Pruning fruit trees brings fear and concern |
| possible production next season. | | | | to southwestern gardeners. Pruning and training |
| Organic gardeners should not purchase products | | | | your fruit trees are important to creating an |
| that combine dormant oil with toxic pesticides. If | | | | arrangement that will yield the maximum crop of |
| you want healthy fruit crops, spray your trees | | | | fruit. You can do finger pruning to young apple |
| with Neem Oil to control pests and diseases during | | | | trees once the fruit is set. |
| the growing season. | | | | Pruning tools should be disinfected with a 10% |
| Dormant oils are effective in controlling certain | | | | solution of bleach before and after use to prevent |
| insects that overwinter as nymphs or adults such | | | | diseases from spreading to other trees that are |
| as aphids, whiteflies, scale, mites, mealy bug, | | | | pruned with the same tools. Pruning in the late |
| some caterpillars and borers. This should be | | | | summer or fall may encourage the tree to |
| applied during the late winter or early spring | | | | continue growing. |
| seasons. Dormant oil does not kill mature insects it | | | | The pruning of fruit trees in early years is called |
| does prevent the larvae (eggs) from hatching | | | | tree training as you have to prune the tree so it |
| during the spring season. | | | | is a triangle shape with a point at the top. This |
| Also there may be variations in the best pruning | | | | means that no part of the tree is blocking |
| methods depending on where you live. Start your | | | | another part from the sun. The more sun your |
| pruning by removing any dead, damaged or | | | | trees get will ensure more blooms thus yielding a |
| diseased branches. Fruit trees need regular pruning | | | | higher output of fruit. Always remove any |
| and insect treatments to keep them healthy and | | | | diseased or damaged branches, any crossing |
| by proper pruning and care will encourage optimal | | | | branches, any narrow-angle branches, and one of |
| growth and most importantly a good healthy large | | | | the branches in a fork. |