By SF Gate Contributor Updated April 12, 2021
Early-spring maintenance of fruit trees is important to start the growing season correctly and to prepare the trees for healthy, vigorous growth and an abundant harvest. Without early-spring fertilizing, pest and disease control, trunk protection, weeding and mulching, fruit trees may suffer unnecessarily stunted or weak growth and damage.
A fruit tree needs fertilizer only if it grows in poor soil or its previous year's growth was fewer than 15 inches. If those conditions exist, then apply a 10-10-10, nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium, slow-release fertilizer just before bud swelling and leaf break, advises Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Fertilizer is applied at a rate of 1 pound, equal to 1/10 actual nitrogen, for every year since a tree's planting date. Never exceed 10 pounds of fertilizer for one tree. Spread the fertilizer in a band starting 1 foot from the tree's trunk and extending 1 foot past the tree's canopy. Rake the fertilizer into the top 3 inches of soil, and then water the area thoroughly.
Early spring is an optimal time to get a head start on preventative disease and pest control for the fruit tree. Clean up fallen leaves, dead plant material, rocks, twigs and other debris around the tree's base to remove sources of overwintering pests and diseases, and prevents new pests and diseases. Applying dormant spray for fruit trees at this time also kills overwintering pests and their eggs before they have time to strike. Also apply a fungicide to add a protective barrier against the formation of fungal diseases that grow rapidly during warm, wet, spring weather.
Prune fruit trees in the spring to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches, advises the University of Massachusetts Amherst. You should also remove weak branches and thin the center of the tree if needed so that light can get through. Be sure to disinfect your pruning shears to prevent spreading disease to your trees.
The bark of a fruit tree is susceptible to sunburn when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. In early spring, before the tree's leaves appear and after pruning, the bark is especially at risk from this type of damage. A simple solution is to paint the trunk with a light solution of whitewash to shade its bark from damaging sun rays.
The best whitewash solution consists of equal parts white latex paint and water, advises the University of California Cooperative Extension. Apply a total of two coats of whitewash, allowing the first coat to dry completely before adding the second coat.
As a fruit tree breaks dormancy and begins active growth in spring, other plants, namely weeds, begin to do the same. This flush of unwanted vegetation absorbs moisture and nutrients from the soil that the fruit tree needs to boost its new growth of leaves. Clearing weeds as they emerge from the surrounding ground in early spring ensures that the tree receives adequate nourishment.
Laying down a 1 to 2-inch thick layer of mulch directly after you remove weeds will decrease future weed growth while reducing moisture loss from the soil. Keep the mulch 4 to 6 inches from the fruit tree's trunk to prevent the tree's bark from rotting.
Growing fruit trees in your yard comes with an awesome reward. Tasty treats like tart plums or sweet peaches are right at your fingertips!
But getting your hands on these goodies takes some work, particularly in springtime. Essentials like proper pruning and feeding fruit trees with the right fertilizer make all the difference in the taste and quality of the tree’s fruit.
Ready to kick off a fruitful growing season? Here's what you need to know about fruit tree care in spring.
Why pruning fruit trees in early spring is important
Fruit trees tend to grow more branches than they need. When the canopy is too full, inner branches and lower branches are blocked from sunlight, and overall the tree’s fruits are competing for space and nutrients. That can lead to much smaller, lower-quality fruit.
But, with an airy, well-lit canopy, fruit trees produce a superior crop. That’s why proper pruning is important. It opens up the canopy and shapes the tree for optimal growth. For best results, you should prune apple, pear, plum and cherry trees in early spring before they leaf out. In general, that means pruning sometime between late February and early April.
When to fertilize fruit trees
Just like pruning, you should fertilize fruit trees in early spring before they sprout. With that being said, keep reading! There’s a very important step to take before fertilizing.
What is the best fertilizer for fruit trees?
The best fertilizer for your fruit tree is one that considers the tree’s particular growing conditions. That’s why you should always get a soil test before choosing a fertilizer.
You’ve probably noticed that some fruit tree fertilizers are labeled with three numbers, like 10-10-10 or 5-10-10. That represents the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the fertilizer—three key nutrients trees need to grow. Deciding which ratio to go with can be a bit of a guessing game but performing a soil test is a surefire way to figure out what to pick.
Soil tests pinpoint which nutrients are lacking (or plentiful) in the soil. For example, a test may prove your soil is low on potassium and needs a fertilizer that will make up for it. Or, a test could reveal that your soil has just the right level of nutrients and doesn’t even need fertilizer. Bottom line, if you want your tree to thrive, don’t skip out on a soil test!
In addition to fertilization and pruning, spring is a great time to check up on your fruit tree’s health.
Is your fruit tree oozing sap? Here's why and how to manage it.
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March 19, 2020
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When you plant grass seed, you want your new lawn to grow in green and healthy.
How can you make that happen? Well, timing plays a huge role. Planting grass seed at the right time of year is one way to make sure your lawn can flourish.
Let’s talk about one particular time—April. Is April a good time to plant grass, or should you aim for a different date? Keep reading for the verdict.
When to plant grass seed in spring
If you have your heart set on planting grass in spring, early April is, in fact, the best time to do it. But, depending on where you live, spring seeding could come with complications.
Here’s the thing—spring elements in the Midwest or Northeast (i.e., temperatures in the 60s and 70s and steady rainfall) are actually great for growing cool seasons grasses. The problem is, weeds also thrive in these elements. That means your grass will be forced to compete with unwelcome weeds as it tries to grow. Not to mention, if springtime weather isn’t just right, like for example, the soil is too cold or it’s overly drenched by rain, you probably won’t have much success growing new grass. Also, if your lawn is scheduled to have pre-emergent weed control applications around this time, be aware that this will inhibit grass seed from germinating.
Now, let’s say the weather is perfect for planting grass in April. Should you do it?
You could, but there’s a chance you’ll run into issues come summertime. Stressful summer heat could slow or completely stop the growth of cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, are meant to be planted in late spring or early summer.
So yes, you can plant cool-season grass in spring, and you should shoot for April if you’re doing so. But, your lawn will have a much better chance at survival if you wait until later in the year.
Best time to plant grass seed in the Northeast
If you live in the Northeastern U.S., the best time to lay new grass seed is mid-August to mid-September. Here’s why:
- The warm days and cool nights are perfect for seed development
- The soil is still warm from summer, which helps with seed growth
- Lawns that have time to establish themselves in fall are much better equipped to handle hot summers than lawns started in spring
Best time to plant grass in the Midwest
Cool-season grasses are also prominent in the Midwest, so fall is the best time to plant grass seed in this area. Again, aim for mid-August to mid-September.
Why the best time to plant grass seed differs
You’ve read about two different types of grasses here: warm season and cool season.
As their names suggest, each one grows best in certain regional weather elements. In a nutshell, cool-season grass needs mild daytime temperatures and cooler nights to thrive. Warm-season grasses grow best when the days are warm and when they have time to establish before things cool down in fall. You can read more about these grass types here.
Your region also determines when other lawn care should happen. Do you see any bare patches or bald spots? If so, consider overseeding your lawn.
Here's why and when to overseed your lawn.
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If you haven’t heard of the spotted lanternfly, or you don’t know too much about it, let’s get you up to speed on this invasive insect.
There’s a lot of ground to cover when it comes to this pest. But, it’s very important for fellow tree owners to know all about the appearance, damage, and management of the spotted lanternfly in order to keep the plants in your yard—and the ones in your community—protected.
So without further delay, here are some of the big need-to-knows about the spotted lanternfly.
Identification: what does spotted lanternfly look like?
Identification is easy, thanks to the insect’s distinct looks throughout its life cycle. You’ll see a different appearance depending on the season:
- In early spring, look for all-black insects with white spots
- Later in spring and closer to summer, look for bright red insects with white spots and black stripes
- In summer and into the fall season, look for fully-grown flying insects with a set of brown wings with black dots, a set of bright red wings with black dots, and a yellow and black-striped body
What do spotted lanternfly eggs look like?
The pest covers its eggs with a protective coating. So while you won’t see the eggs themselves, you might see the covering, which looks like a clump of whitish-brown mud. Keep in mind that spotted lanternfly egg masses are found on the trunk of your tree, but they also might be on other smooth, hard surfaces like patio tiles or outdoor furniture.
What states have spotted lanternflies?
Back in 2014, Pennsylvania was the only state with a SLF sighting. It’s still there today, plus New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Virginia have also had SLF infestations.
Across these six states, the response to SLF is a bit varied. Check out the specifics for each state, and a few cities, here:
How did the spotted lanternfly get to the United States?
It’s not crystal clear how this insect made its way from its homeland of China to the United States. Most likely, it was carried over on products that were shipped internationally.
What trees are affected by spotted lanternfly?
If this pest had to pick favorites, the tree-of-heaven would top the list.
But that doesn’t mean the pest gives other trees the cold shoulder. Here are few other trees impacted by SLF:
- Apple
- Oak
- Maple
- Willow
- Several other deciduous trees have been affected.
What does spotted lanternfly tree damage look like?
Common signs of SLF feeding include leaf wilting, leaf curling, and sap spilling from tree wounds and branch dieback.
In addition, these insects produce a clear, sticky liquid called honeydew. Insects like ants and wasps really like honeydew, so you might see these pests hanging around your tree.
Also, honeydew encourages the growth of the sooty mold fungus, which essentially looks like dusty black patches on tree leaves or branches.
Keep in mind that some of these symptoms (particularly honeydew and sooty mold) are also trademarks of scale insects or aphids. You’ll know for sure that SLF is the culprit if you see some of these symptoms and the insect itself.
Why are spotted lanternflies dangerous to trees?
SLF damage is serious for two main reasons;
- As the insects feed, they slowly take sap away from the tree, which strips away nutrients; and
- Infested trees are weakened and, in some cases, could die from SLF feeding.
How do you get rid of spotted lanternflies?
OK, now that you’ve read all about the “what” and “why,” let’s talk about how to handle a SLF infestation.
One effective strategy is removing any tree-of-heaven plants from your yard. As mentioned, this tree is the #1 host, so removal could help control the pest’s spread.
If you don’t have a tree-of-heaven, but SLF is still in your community or in your own backyard, read about what precautions you can take here.
What do you do if you see a spotted lanternfly?
A key question you might have is: how do I report an infestation?
First, a huge thanks for your due diligence! It's a big help when homeowners take action to help manage this pest issue.
The best thing you can do is let your state’s Department of Agriculture know that you saw the pest.
You can visit your department’s website or give them a call to find out what information they’ll need to document the sighting.
Your local arborist is also here to help.