Winter is a crucial period for adjusting the structure of fruit trees. Effective winter orchard management directly impacts the tree's strength in the following year, its fruit yield, product quality, and the risk of pests and diseases overwintering. Proper winter care helps promote flower bud differentiation, ensures the tree survives the cold safely, and lays a solid foundation for healthy growth, high yields, and superior fruit quality in the coming season.
First, focus on fertilization and irrigation. If no basal fertilizer was applied in autumn, it’s essential to replenish it as soon as possible. For orchards lacking this, apply a deep layer of organic fertilizer combined with a small amount of compound fertilizer (15%-15%-15%). Fertilization can be done using methods like ring trenches, radial trenches, or hook-shaped holes. Dig a trench 40–50 cm deep beyond the canopy's edge, mix the fertilizer with soil, and refill the trench to ensure even distribution.
Soil cultivation is also important. Deep plowing improves soil structure and enhances physical and chemical properties, helping convert insoluble nutrients into soluble forms, thus increasing fertility. It also deepens the tillage layer, creating better conditions for root development. Winter plowing helps roots recover after harvest and reduces damage from freezing. Additionally, it exposes and kills pathogens and eggs in the soil. The depth should be slightly deeper than the main root zone, typically 30–50 cm.
Second, winter pruning plays a key role in shaping the tree. By removing leggy, dense, overlapping, and broken branches, you improve air circulation and light penetration, which aids in nutrient accumulation and promotes flower bud formation. Pruning should be done after leaves fall and before new growth begins, usually between December and early spring. Techniques include thinning, heading back, shortening, retreating, and opening angles. Different approaches are used depending on the tree’s age. Young trees should focus on building a strong framework, while mature trees need balance between growth and fruiting. Senescent trees benefit from renewal techniques like branch cutting and re-shaping the canopy.
Third, pest control is vital. One method is bark scraping, which removes pests and fungi hiding in rough bark. However, avoid scraping peach, apricot, or plum trees after this process. Another technique is whitewashing the trunks, which protects against frost, sunburn, and pests. A common formula includes 10 parts water, 3 parts quicklime, 0.5 parts lime sulfur, 0.5 parts salt, and a small amount of grease. Apply it evenly from top to bottom.
Orchard cleanup is another step—removing diseased or infested branches, dead leaves, and debris helps eliminate pests and diseases. After cleaning, spray the entire area with lime sulfur to reduce overwintering pests and disease sources. Manual methods like injecting larvae can also be effective.
Fourth, implement scientific frost protection measures. For evergreen or deciduous fruit trees, protecting them from cold during flowering and budding is essential. Common methods include soil covering, trunk wrapping with straw, mulching around trees, foliar feeding with urea or potassium phosphate, snow removal, and watering before freezing. These practices help maintain soil warmth, prevent root damage, and increase the tree's resistance to cold. Building windbreaks also helps reduce wind impact and protect the orchard from harsh weather.
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