Good progress was made these past weeks pruning the apple trees. We endured the chilling temperatures of January and early February and moved through the trees one by one, trimming, cleaning out excessive growth and removing broken limbs. Pruning in the main orchard was completed this past week. The young trees in the U-PIK location are next on the list and we will be moving the pruning equipment into that area either late this week or early next.
After pruning is completed the limbs and small branches are pulled into the aisle ways for a grinder to mulch. Wish that was all there was to it, but after grinding comes the raking. Debris is pulled from under the trees and raked to the middle aisle ways. One more time equipment grinds up whatever is left and this mulch then remains on the orchard floor and deteriorates. This is probably not standard work procedure for all orchard operations but it is what we do.
Timing, travel distance and weather conditions were contributing factors in our non- attendance at fruit conferences and trade shows this year. We missed these educational seminars and the trade shows’ exhibits but sometimes things just don’t work out and this was one of those years.
Days are less overcast and daylight hours are increasing. Plants and bulbs are pushing out of their dormancy and are sure signs that Spring isn’t so far off. Tree planting is just around the corner. We plan to replant part of the orchard that was cleared last year and left fallow. The ground was left unplanted last year to restore its fertility and remove any phytophthora. Phytophthora is basically a microscopic, fungus-like organism that is found within the soil where it can survive for many years. It affects the roots of the trees and sometimes just referred to as “root rot.” Phythophthora kills trees. By removing the host plants (old apple trees), opening the soil by plowing and harrowing, we hoped to be pro-active in management of this disease before we plant new stock.
The apple trees should be in bloom in about six to eight weeks. Peaches bloom earlier but as of now, not too many peach buds seem to have survived the subzero temperatures of December. It’s a waiting game at this point. One never knows for sure about Mother Nature.