What to Do About Fruit Tree Twig Shriveling? Latest Control Methods Explained
There are a great many varieties of fruit trees in our country, and some of them, especially during the young tree stage, are highly prone to various adverse phenomena such as twig shrinkage and cracking in winter and spring due to excessive drought and lack of water. This is what is known as fruit tree twig shriveling. And fruit tree twig shriveling has a very large impact on the growth and yield of fruit trees. So what should be done about fruit tree twig shriveling? Below, the editor will give everyone a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Burying in soil in winter
Fruit tree twig shriveling should generally be prevented first and foremost, and among fruit trees, young trees are the priority. Therefore, in winter, for one-year-old young trees, before the soil freezes, we should bend them over. Then cover them well with moist soil. In this way, the twigs, being in moist soil, evaporate water very slowly. This not only allows them to overwinter safely but also prevents twig shriveling caused by winter drought and spring drought. When the soil is relatively dry, watering should be done properly, and only after the moisture content is suitable should moist soil be used to cover them. Then, after the following spring, the covering soil can be removed.
2. Wrapping with plastic strips
If the young trees are relatively large, then burying in soil is not suitable. At this time, we should pay attention to pruning in advance, and wrap them with plastic strips immediately after pruning. The plastic strips do not need to be of very good quality; ordinary plastic film can be used. But be sure to wrap them tightly to prevent them from being blown off by the wind. First wrap the upper end tightly, then wrap from top to bottom, circle after circle, until the entire twig is wrapped. Usually, every twig of a young tree should be wrapped, while for young trees transplanted about one year ago, the main focus should be on robust, strongly growing twigs. This is mainly to ensure that the tree canopy can form well, and strongly growing twigs are inherently prone to twig shriveling, so they should be protected with extra care.
3. Covering with plastic film
Covering with plastic film can improve the soil's water retention and also maintain soil temperature. In southern regions, soil covered with plastic film in winter basically does not freeze. Moreover, in early spring, if there is sufficient sunlight, the temperature can reach about 10 degrees. This is also the time when water evaporation from the aboveground twigs is high. At this time, the root system also gradually begins to become active, and can promptly replenish water consumption, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing twig shriveling. Generally, after the winter watering is completed in autumn and winter, plastic film should be laid on both sides of the young trees. If the plant spacing is not large, the plastic film should not be cut apart, and should be pressed down with soil.
4. Proper hilling
If the fruit trees are relatively large, then wrapping with plastic strips will also be more troublesome, but in order to ensure that the fruit trees can overwinter safely, in addition to watering sufficient freezing water in autumn and then covering with film, we should also build a mound of soil on the north side at a position about 30cm away from the fruit tree to block the wind. This keeps the root area in a wind-sheltered environment with sufficient light, thereby raising soil temperature, ensuring root growth and water absorption, and preventing twig shriveling. If the soil mound is buried around the trunk, then it should be removed promptly in spring, because this method can only be used for winter cold protection and cannot prevent twig shriveling.
The above is a brief introduction to what to do about fruit tree twig shriveling. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!