Best Time for Bark Scraping on Fruit Trees and Detailed Winter Frost Protection Measures

In recent days, temperatures across the country have plummeted, presenting a veritable “winter scene”, which is undoubtedly a survival challenge for fruit trees. So when is the best time to scrape bark on fruit trees? What frost protection measures are there for fruit trees in winter?

As fruit trees age, the bark thickens and lacks elasticity, hindering the thickening growth of the trunk and easily causing premature decline of the tree. Moreover, the cracks in old bark are overwintering sites for many pests and diseases. Therefore, scraping off the old bark and burning it in a concentrated pile can both eliminate pests and diseases and promote tree growth and restore tree vigor. Fruit tree species suitable for bark scraping include: pear, apple, chestnut, jujube, etc.

Peach, apricot and others tend to exude gum after scraping, so they are generally not suitable. As for the timing of bark scraping, in areas with a warmer climate, it can be done during the dormant period.

In cold regions, to prevent frost damage, it is generally done after the severe cold period and before the fruit trees bud. The requirement is to scrape off the rough, cracked cortex of the old bark only, and never scrape too deep so as to damage the tender bark and xylem. If disease spots are encountered during scraping, they should be scraped off and disinfected according to the requirements for disease control. After the bark is scraped, a protective agent should be applied immediately. The scraped bark must be promptly cleared away and piled up for burning.

Measures to prevent frost damage in fruit trees

Breeding cold-resistant varieties is the most fundamental and effective approach to frost protection; adapting to local conditions and planting according to the site is most important, and each region should strictly select the main tree species and varieties for local development, with the main cultivated types being able to ensure a relatively high yield year after year; cold-resistant cultivation uses cold-resistant cultivation methods to improve the cold resistance of plants within a certain range.

For fruit trees mainly suffering from root frost damage, for example, grapes can be grafted onto highly cold-resistant rootstocks to directly improve the resistance of the root system. Deep trench planting can also be used to reduce root frost damage; strengthen overwintering protection of the tree body.

In addition to the above measures, overwintering protection methods can be adopted when necessary. For example, within 3-4 years after planting, earth up the whole plant, earth up the main trunk of large trees, use prostrate cultivation, etc. Others such as mulching, setting up windbreaks, wrapping with straw, and whitewashing all have certain effects and can be selected according to specific circumstances.

The ingredients of whitewash vary from place to place. A generally commonly used formula is: 10 parts water, 3 parts quicklime, 0.5 parts lime sulfur mixture stock solution, 0.5 parts salt, and a little oil or fat (either animal or vegetable oil is acceptable). When whitewashing, use a brush to apply it evenly on the main trunk and the base of the main branches.