JW: It is November. Now what do we do outside, especially if we have trees and fruit trees? What to do with them this time of year? I'm Judy Wagley, it’s “From the Ground Up!” I'm with Terry Bertrand at Barker Creek Nursery in Williamsburg, Michigan. Terry, along with Gordon Coy, has owned Barker Creek since 1993. And it's a beautiful scenic spot here that overlooks Elk and Skegemog Lake. Such a stunning view, Terry!
TB: Thank you. It's a gorgeous place--beautiful history, too.
JW: Yes, yes. And so many beautiful trees and plants and flowers still here in the fall. But let's talk about trees right now. Late in the fall, what should we do, and what shouldn't we do with our trees?
TB: Okay, so we're talking trees-- we can branch out into so many topics, but the one thing I would do is, if you have questions about your fruit trees, then watch the orchards. If you have questions about the vineyards, watch the vineyards. So, you know, keep that keen eye, and do some research online. But your fruit trees are just like oak, and just like birch, you don't prune while they're growing. A lot of times, you're making them more susceptible to infestation and disease. So when it comes to pruning them, you wait till they're dormant, you wait till they're sleeping. So that would really open the gates from November until about April, depending on where you live. So a lot of times you'll see the orchards getting pruned in the spring. And the reason I think that happens is two reasons. One, you have less snow--easier access. And to you're actually kind of getting through that rough winter to see if there was any natural damage, you can avoid that heavy snow damage, because if you prune too early, and then you get damage. That's kind of a double jeopardy. So I think that's why they do it. And you can ask your local farmer if I'm right-- he might wink and say half, right. So with that, you know, when you're approaching those type of trees, what I would do is, again, open it up for air circulation, I would look for things that have a genetic flaw. Maybe a branch is on a weird angle, or branches that are touching one another that might rub and create an injury during the growing season. And just kind of do that first and then get a little more technical.
JW: Do we have a deadline?
TB: I would think until they start growing. You know, once things start growing, they're actively putting that sap back into the branches and pushing out those buds and flowers. I think at that point, you're a little late and you should wait till some species are done flowering before you approach them. In other things like the birch trees like your oak trees, like your fruit trees, you leave them alone, you missed the boat.
JW: So late fall is actually a good time then?
TB: It's an excellent time-- and again, it’s that no panic if you don't hit it in the fall. Hit it before the snow leaves in the spring.
JW: Terry Bertrand from Barker Creek Nursery in Williamsburg. Thanks for your advice today on how to take care of our trees over the winter.
TB: Oh, it's pleasure. Lots of lots of things to do. But again, don't panic!
