Fruit Tree Grease is an easy-to-use brush-on, monitoring trap. Preventing wingless female moths from climbing fruit trees and laying eggs in tree bark crevices, it can be applied now and re-applied late winter to ensure fruit trees enter spring healthy and free of eggs. There are five simple techniques that I have found to be effective at keeping fruit tree pests at bay. Conveniently, they can be carried out once the frantic pace of the main growing season has passed, meaning you can give your full attention to this important task. 1. Protect Against Winter Moth Using Glue Bands Follow label instructions when using pesticides. On edible plants make sure the food plant is listed on the label and follow instructions on maximum number of applications, spray interval and harvest interval. After treatment, insects find it very difficult to secure their eggs onto the washed trees so pests are prevented from taking hold. Plant invigorators combine nutrients to stimulate plant growth with surfactants or fatty acids that have a physical mode of action against aphids (e.g. Ecofective Bug Control, Growing Success Bug Stop, Rose Clear 3 in 1 Action SB Plant Invigorator and Westland Resolva Natural Power Bug & Mildew). These products contain some synthetic ingredients and so are not considered organic

Choose fine wire mesh if your trees are plagued by smaller rodents such as voles, and make sure there is a wide enough gap between the trunk and the mesh so that hungry muzzles can’t push through and reach the bark. Flex the mesh into a tube and secure it using cable ties or wire. Use a cane to keep the tree guard upright, and make sure the wire is pushed firmly into the soil with no gaps at ground level. You may be able to remove guards in summer if the rodent problem is limited to the winter months. 5. Encourage Pest PredatorsFirst of all, it is important to understand that while spraying in this way can help to control pests and disease, it will also affect other wildlife. Winter washing will not only target the pest species, but can also remove beneficial wildlife. You may remove queen wasps and other hibernating wildlife in the process, which can do more harm than good in your garden. The time is ripe for garden enthusiasts to protect trees and bushes from insects and aphids looking for prime spots to lay their eggs this winter. To help prepare for the harsh months ahead, Vitax has developed three products to keep insects at bay. Winter Tree Wash, Fruit Tree Grease and Tree Bands have each been created to ensure trees remain in tip-top condition during the colder months. The tree should be washed by starting from the top and working your way down. Gently scrub the bark and branches with the brush or cloth, paying attention to areas where dirt has built up. If you spot any pests, make sure you’re applying a trusted winter wash formula.

Made from a blend of natural plant and fish oils, this winter tree wash is formulated to remove debris and dirt from trees to help protect against overwintering pests. Winter washing can be an effective way to rid yourself of overwintering pests and fungal spores on fruit trees. It is possible to find ‘organic’ solutions for this purpose. But in an organic garden, winter washing is not necessarily a good idea. The GardenAdvice team are often asked about apple trees by a lot of clients, the key really is to set them up in the later autumn and winter months which will generate some great fruit later in the autumn. Prune the tree: Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches from the tree. This will help to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering on the tree. So what you’ll want to, is you want to spray the whole tree, so everything all the way up, but just pay particular attention to the little nooks and crannies in here. So this is where the eggs and all the other bugs will be hiding out. So just start at the bottom and work your way up giving it a good coverage.Prepare the solution: Mix the horticultural oil with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The solution should typically be around 2-3% horticultural oil and 97-98% water. the wash into every nook and cranny within the tree or bush. Problems with Winter Wash of Fruit Trees.

Although this method is not fully organic as it’s a winter operation it will not affect any bees plus will reduce the need to treat the apple trees in the spring and summer. In general, good long-term management of your fruit tree or trees is better than extreme solutions. The key to success in an organic garden lies in creating a balanced and healthy ecosystem. When a tree is healthy and the ecosystem of the garden is in balance, pests and disease may still occur, but are far less likely to get out of control. Natural Pest & Disease Control

3. Expose Overwintering Insect Pests

Repeat the process: Repeat the process every two weeks or as necessary to ensure adequate coverage. For best results apply in calm dry conditions from late September through to February. For fruit trees, treat after leaf fall and prior to bud break in spring.

Pay attention to the weather: Make sure to apply the winter wash when the temperature is above freezing and the tree is dormant. Applying the solution when it is too cold can damage the tree. Once the leaves have fallen from the tree and on a frost-free day apply a winter wash. Apply with a small sprayer as a jet so the winter wash runs down the stems killing all the over-wintering pest eggs and fungal spores.Practice good garden hygiene and dispose of diseased material. Don’t add foliage or branches with fungal diseases to your compost heap. Mealy plum aphid: Summer host =grasses and reeds. Leaves fruitinJune-July. Can remain on plum throughout summer