The Friends of the trees of Montluçon are exceptionally dormant this winter. No demonstration of size or theoretical lessons due to the epidemic. For decades, the association has been advising gardeners in the region – three hundred members – to grow their fruit trees, roses or ornamental trees. His secretary, Denis Aufevre, enlightens us on how to maintain fruit trees during the cold season.
Why is winter an important season for the maintenance of fruit trees? The trees are in vegetative rest from November to March. It is easier to work on it to remove dead branches – likely to harbor unwanted insects – mummified fruits that may have remained, leaves that may have been contaminated by diseases.
Moss, lichen can be removed with gentle brushing, mistletoe or ivy on old trees
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Can trees fear the cold? No, the trees in our orchards will be more afraid of excessive heat. Of course, freezes at minus 30 degrees will do damage but frosts over a few days, at minus 10, it is on the contrary good news. This year, we saw fruit trees bloom again in October. It is dangerous for the plant, it exhausts it.
In the Montluçonnaise region, what are the insects and diseases of fruit trees? On pome trees, such as apple or pear trees, the main disease is scab. This is our big problem, both on the leaves and on the fruit. To fish it, it is the blister, which makes swellings on the leaves. As for insects, it is aphids. And then for the apple, there is the codling moth. It is a worm: the fruit is healthy in appearance except that when it is cut in half there is meat with it.
Milk of lime used to suffocate insect larvae
What are the environmentally friendly solutions to apply against insects? You must have noticed in places all white trunks. It is a whitewash that is applied at this time to asphyxiate insect larvae. We recommend it on old trees where the bark is very cracked – refuges for insect larvae. On young trees, where the bark is smoother, it is less important to do this. It is not aesthetic but it is effective. It is found all ready in stores.
You can also use rapeseed oil against insects in January or February, which can help suffocate the eggs or limit aphid attacks.
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And what to do about diseases? There are copper salts. Bordeaux mixture remains the reference treatment against diseases caused by fungi. It is applied as soon as the leaves fall, since they create microplays on the twig which become entry points for fungal spores. It is an operation that can be repeated during the winter, before the buds hatch. But be careful, you must respect the doses given on the packaging, it is not more effective when you use more and you damage the ground with the copper.
The agricultural school is participating in the creation of a Red Label dedicated to fruit trees
Is pruning necessarily essential in winter to obtain good harvests? It depends on the vigor of the trees. If it is about what we used to call meadows-orchards, that is to say large trees, as we see in Réaux, they need very little pruning.
But in suburban gardens, people will have trees of small shape, trained. In this case, it takes regular pruning to have a decent harvest: a tree cannot produce both fruit and vegetation. To cut, it is necessary to use disinfected tools – with methylated spirits – and well sharpened
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Can we still plant trees at this time? Traditionally, we plant in November. But it is possible to plant as soon as the temperatures are mild and there is not too much humidity. At this time it is not recommended with the rain that has fallen. There is nothing to prevent looking for a tree from a nurseryman, measuring it and waiting for more favorable days in January or February. Priority should be given to local species, which are more resistant to diseases – therefore with less treatment – and which have good conservation.
Guillaume Bellavoine
Telephone number to contact the association Les Amis des Trees de Montluçon: 06.12.50.83.92.
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