Preparing apple trees for winter: how to cover and insulate, a step-by-step guide with a photo

In winter, the growth of the apple tree continues at a slow pace. Therefore, it is important to protect it from frost and pests. Each summer resident must take care of the plant and carry out the correct preparation of apple trees for winter. Even frost-resistant varieties need to be covered for a cold period to protect them from rodents. They start preparing well in advance, before the onset of frost.

Why cover young trees?

Many summer residents are sure that the plant is covered for the winter period so that frost does not damage the apple tree. But this opinion is wrong. First of all, it is protection against rodents who like to eat young bark in winter.It is also a good protection against cold winds, which dry out the bark excessively, and from the spring sun, which causes burns. Therefore, shelter is a mandatory autumn event that takes place before the onset of frost.

Young trees are at risk of drying out from winter winds and sun. Therefore, they provide shelter not only for the trunk, but for the entire crown. Burlap is ideal as a material for this purpose. From the age of 7, the plant is not so in dire need of protection for the winter period in the form of covering material.

When should apple trees be covered?

The main condition is to choose the right time to hide. It is on him that the he alth and life of culture depend. Too early warming will provoke the growth of shoots, which will inevitably lead to the death of the tree. Protection is built when the sap flow is completely completed and the temperature is set to -10 ° C. Before you cover the plant, it is properly prepared.

Preparation for the process

Cold regions produce varieties that withstand cold well. If the frosts last for several days, then they will not bring much harm to the plants. Roots near the soil surface and weak root branches can only be slightly affected. But hungry hares can severely damage plantings. Therefore, before sheltering, it is necessary to decide for what purposes it is done.

Timely and securely covered bark is an important condition for the development and growth of culture. Such a shelter is especially necessary for a young culture, since damaged bark causes diseases that lead to the death of a tree.

How to prepare a plant for wintering, every gardener should know. A number of activities are carried out before the shelter:

1. Around the plant, fallen leaves are removed. It is a breeding ground for bacteria and insects. It must be burned to prevent the spread of infection.
2. From lichen, the culture is treated with copper sulphate.
3. Remove rotten fruits that lie around the tree and hang on the branches. Larvae overwinter in apples, which, with the onset of heat, begin to damage the tree.
4. To destroy beetles and various dangerous insects, the trunk circle is dug up.

If a hunting belt was installed on a tree for the summer period, then it is removed before wintering. Beneficial insects and ladybugs must be released. You can hang a feeder on a tree, in which tits are fed in winter. Birds will help to destroy pests.

Required Materials

There are many materials suitable for barrel wrap:

• bulrush;
• nylon stockings;
• old rags;
• toilet paper;
• spruce forest;
• plastic bags;
• cellophane;
• several layers of newspaper.

It is not recommended to use straw from a crop that attracts rodents to the tree. Also, do not use wire, as it injures the bark of the plant. Trees can be insulated with plastic bottles. They will qualitatively close the stem and basal neck, perform the function of scaring away, since the bottles make noise from every breath of wind.

Insulation is removed after the snow melts. If the plant is covered with roofing material, then it is removed with the onset of the first thaw.

Insulation technology

Seedlings and their root system are completely covered. The wind poses a big threat to them. It is recommended to dig a peg nearby and tie the plant. It is also advisable to put around a barrier in the form of dry branches, which will hold back the wind.And the fallen snow will serve as additional protection against freezing.

Seedlings must be covered. Damaged bark will lead to cracking and disease, and rotten frozen roots will cause the death of the plant. This is taken into account when warming all varieties. A young apple tree around the trunk is covered with a layer of sawdust. This will serve as a good protection against freezing of the roots. Then the trunk is insulated with burlap. Spruce branches are laid on top, which will protect the plant from pests.

Sanitary pruning

Before the winter period, diseased and dry branches are cut. Live ones are recommended to be shortened by a third. The cut is made at an acute angle with a well-sharpened tool. For these purposes, a pruner or a hacksaw is suitable. The place of the cut is smeared with garden pitch. Damaged branches are completely cut down, stumps cannot be left. The tree is shaped into a bush and left at a maximum height of 3 meters.

Treatment from diseases and pests

After all the debris around the trunk circle has been removed, it is necessary to treat the plant with a solution of vitriol. You can spray both iron and copper. This will help protect the apple tree from possible diseases and the spread of insects.

Cleaning and whitewashing the bole

Be sure to cover the trunk with lime mortar. The branches of the first row are also smeared. This event is important because:

• Serves as protection against pests. With a long and warm autumn, some insects may become more active and begin to damage the crop.
• The tool will help prevent frost cracks that appear from sudden changes in temperature;
• If fungicides are added to the composition, the solution will contribute to the fight against diseases and stem pests wintering in the bark of the plant.
• Lime will protect the crop in early spring from the first scorching sun.

Before you start whitewashing, prepare the trunk. They rid it of moss, dead bark and lichen. Before proceeding with the cleaning of the trunk, a tarp is spread around, on which organic residues will fall. The procedure is carried out in calm, dry weather. The air temperature should be +2 … +3 ° С. The collected ashes are burned. After the whitewash dries well, you can apply insulation on the stem.

Feeding and watering watering

Be sure to carry out winter watering. By the autumn period, the green branches are already lignified; excess moisture will not provoke their growth. Depending on the soil, 30-40 buckets of water are brought under one apple tree. The soil should be saturated with liquid for at least 1.5 meters.

Watering is necessary to provide the root system with moisture for the whole winter, which will allow the roots to not freeze. Well-distributed moisture will prevent cracking of the soil, which will eliminate the risk of frost penetration to the roots. An important role is played by potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, which contribute to the maturation of wood. Superphosphate or potassium s alt is applied at the time of loosening the soil around the trunk.

Protection against rodents

In autumn it is required to cover the trunk from rodents who like to eat bark for the winter. The ideal option is a spruce forest. Sharp needles will scare away animals and keep the bark intact. Hares mainly damage trees. Because of their height, they cannot nibble high on plants. Therefore, they protect the stem and branches located at a low height. Roofing material is often used. This material will protect against pests, warm in winter and save you from sunburn.

Does variety affect shelter

It is not necessary to insulate frost-resistant varieties from 7 years old. This applies only to plants with strong bark, which is free of damage and signs of disease. Such a tree easily resists frost. The ground part of the bole without special shelter withstands frost down to -35 ° С.

But the columnar apple tree should be covered especially carefully. It does not depend on her height and age.

The plant does not have long branches around the central shoot, so it should be covered completely. To do this, a pyramid of wooden planks is assembled around the plant. Humus is poured inside. And the pyramid is wrapped with a tarpaulin. Such protection will help the crop survive the frosts.

Features in different regions

In Siberia and the Urals, special varieties are grown that endure severe frosts. Nevertheless, apple trees are recommended to cover for the winter. In Siberia, the trunk is insulated by 1.5 meters.Cloth or needles are used as shelter. Top with tape. This helps protect the crop from sunburn, cold and rodents.

Roots are covered in the Urals. To do this, use:

• sawdust;
• peat;
• manure.

A mound about 30 centimeters high is made around the trunk. Seedlings in cold regions should be covered completely in late autumn. In winter, snow is thrown and compacted on the plant, which serves as additional protection against frost. In the Moscow region, they are diligently preparing the crop for wintering and observing all the necessary conditions, since severe weather conditions are possible, which are characterized by sudden temperature changes.

For insulation, the conditions are met:

• Loosen the soil around the plant.
• Seedlings spud. The hill should be 30 centimeters.
• Mulch near-stem circle with sawdust. The thickness of the layer is about 30 centimeters. This will serve as a reliable protection of the root system from severe frosts.
• The trunk is insulated with covering material.
• Snow is thrown and compacted around the plant. The bigger the slide, the better.

Following the above procedures for preparing the plant for wintering will help protect the tree and keep it he althy, which will contribute to a good harvest next season.

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