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1 The best way to prevent pest and disease problems in your fruit trees is to learn how to recognize them. Then monitor your trees

once a week. If you see a problem, identify it and treat it right away before it spreads.

2 Practice good hygiene. Sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol after pruning each tree to ensure that you are not spreading disease

from tree to tree.

3 Pests and disease problems return year after year because insects and fungal spores can over winter in fallen leaves and fruit. Stop the

cycle by removing them from the site. In the fall, rake up diseased leaves and fruit and throw it in the garbage, not the compost.

4 Correct annual pruning improves light penetration and air circulation and that alone can prevent the diseases that spread readily in

damp, dark environments.

8 Effective Ways to Prevent Fruit Tree

Pests & Diseaseby SUSAN POIZNER, Director, Orchard People

Cleaning up fallen fruit and leaves around your tree each fall is one of the easiest ways to help protect your tree from pest and disease problems.

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5 Every spring, before the buds of your trees open up, spray the trunk and branches with lime sulfur and dormant oil (always

follow the instructions on the package) to coat and suffocate overwintering insects hidden in wounds on your tree.

6 Fungal diseases germinate and spread during wet, humid weather. To protect your trees, spray them with garden sulfur

a few hours before rain is forecast. Once the spray dries it prevents the airborne spores from settling on your tree’s leaves. When using sprays always read the instructions

7 Prevent the spread of canker and black knot by pruning off infected branches correctly. Dispose of them in a sealed bag in the garbage,

not the compost.

8 Apply Orchard Sox to baby fruit on your tree each year to prevent apple maggot and coddling moth infestations in your apples,

pears and plums. Order at www.orchardpeople.com.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Order your copy of Growing Urban Orchards or sign up for a pest and disease prevention workshop at www.orchardpeople.com.

A Prevent apple scab by buying a tree that is scab resistant. B Prune out instances of black knot in your plum trees. C “Honeydew” released by scale, or aphids can turn your tree’s trunk or branches black. D A symptom of fireblight: Branch tips of your apple or pear tree die and curl up like a hook. E A symptom of canker: Oozing goop coming from your tree. F Pear trellis rust is a fungal disease that can be prevented with good hygiene.

A B

D

EF

C

Susan Poizner is the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book “Growing Urban Orchards”. You can buy the book or sign up for one of Susan’s online courses at www.orchardpeople.com. Contact Susan at info@orchardpeople.com.

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