| how should I take care of my apple trees, to get beautiful fruit? Also, how can I keep rabbits away from my fruit trees? Last fall I wrapped the lower part of my dwarf fruit trees and they sat on the snow, which gave them access to the branches and ate the branches and did a lot of damage. I hope you can help. |
| I don't know exactly what to suggest to keep the rabbits away from your dwarf trees. You may need to make cylinders out of chicken wire and enclose them completely before the snow begins to fall. At least this will protect them from the bunnies until they grow a little taller! It's a fact of nature that in order to grow tree fruits, you need to commit to the time and energy required to protect them from insects and diseases. To avoid diseases, your apple trees can be sprayed with Bordeaux (lime-sulfur). This fungicide must be applied early and thoroughly to protect new growth. Apply according to label directions; as the buds break until the leaves are fully expanded. Do this at prepink, pink, calyx, and first cover. Since the fungus overwinters in fallen leaves and fruit, be sure to thoroughly clean up and dispose of plant debris in the fall months. The horticultural oil is effective against overwintering scale insects and insect eggs and should be applied in the winter. It is sold as dormant spray. Hope this answers all your questions. |
