Fruit tree planting management guide in December

Entering December marks the beginning of the winter dormancy period for fruit trees. Management during this period is crucial for adjusting the tree structure, enhancing the fruit trees' resistance to cold, and promoting a bumper harvest in the coming year. So what specific management work should be done? Let’s take a look at the fruit tree planting and management guide for December.

1. Scientific winter pruning

We should seize the favorable opportunity of the dormant period of fruit trees to reasonably prune the branches of fruit trees and optimize the spatial distribution of branches, so as to improve ventilation and lighting conditions and balance reproductive growth and nutritional growth. Common pruning methods include thinning, shortening, and cutting back.

2. Orchard cleaning

Combine winter pruning with the removal of dead branches and diseased and insect-infested branches, clear out weeds, diseased and insect-infested fruits, and fallen leaves in the garden, and burn or bury them in a concentrated area to reduce the number of overwintering pests.

3. Keep warm

For young trees, take measures such as whitewashing the trunks, wrapping them with straw ropes or covering them with plastic film to prevent the trunks from freezing. For mature trees, windbreaks can be piled up or simple greenhouses can be built in the orchard to reduce the impact of cold air on the fruit trees.

4. Pour freezing water

The best time for watering is when the snow freezes early and melts in the afternoon, and it is sunny and windy, usually between the "heavy snow" and the "winter solstice" in December. The amount of water for fruit trees should ensure that the water can penetrate into the root distribution layer and maintain the soil moisture at 60%-80% of the maximum water holding capacity in the field.

5. Whitewash the tree trunks

Whitewashing tree trunks is very effective in preventing frost damage. Generally, add 20-30 kg of quicklime , 2-3 kg of sulfur powder and 1-2 kg of salt to 100 kg of water. First dissolve the quicklime, then add sulfur powder and salt, stir evenly, and apply it to the base of the tree trunk.

6. Deep plowing of orchards

Deep plowing and drying the entire orchard can help kill overwintering pests and pathogens, and can be used together with orchard irrigation and freezing water.

7. Spraying to prevent diseases

The best time to use lime sulfur is after the fruit trees lose their leaves in winter and before they sprout in spring. It is recommended to spray lime sulfur on the whole tree and the ground to kill overwintering pests and diseases. The concentration used is: 3-5 degrees Baume diluted lime sulfur.



In general, the December fruit tree planting management guide includes orchard cleaning, frost protection, irrigation, pruning, whitewashing and other aspects of management. Paying attention to mastering the relevant skills and methods can ensure the safe wintering of fruit trees and lay a solid foundation for next year's growth and fruiting.