Early spring is a good time to spray dormant oil on trees to reduce scale type insect infestations. Lecanium and oyster shell scale are common on our green ash, aspen, and cottonwood trees. These scales are attached to the trees branches and twigs. They are either brown or white in color and about the size of an apple seed. The hard cover protects scales from the effect of insecticides. The oil in essence smothers these small insects. Do not apply oil on trees when the weather starts to warm in the spring and trees begin to leaf out. It can burn the foliage.
Trees and shrubs that are drought stressed should be watered. Often, those located on southern exposures are the plants that are most at risk of winter type desiccation and thus need to be checked for dry soil conditions. In other words, they may need a good drink of water to help revive them!
Spring is the time of the year to be working on our fruit trees to get them ready for the year’s production. Pruning out water sprouts, basil suckers and dead wood is first and foremost on the to-do-list. Be careful to disinfect pruners between cuts with a good liquid disinfectant to avoid spreading disease like fireblight. Next, prune out x-crossing branches and leave those that grow out at a ninety degree angle from the main stem which will support fruit without breaking off.
