After a few years of watching and waiting for a peach tree I planted to bear fruit, it finally did this year. Unfortunately, it was unable to produce during those first few years because of peach leaf curl, a fungal disease.
Peach, apple, pear and many other kinds of deciduous fruit trees are vulnerable to diseases and insects that can impact crop production and, ultimately, the tree’s health. Applying dormant oils can help protect trees from soft-bodied insects and leaf curl, shot hole fungus, powdery mildew and other fungi.
Photo by Karen Gideon
Deciduous fruit trees are vulnerable to diseases and insects like aphids.Dormant oil sprays (for example, horticultural, narrow-range or superior oils) are non-chemical pesticides. These highly refined petroleum products or vegetable oils (soybean, cottonseed, sesame, neem or other oils) are mixed with water and applied to trees and shrubs during the winter when the trees are dormant. When applied to the point of run-off to the branches and trunks of fruit trees, these sprays plug the pores through which insects like aphids, spider mites, psyllids, thrips and scale breathe, thus suffocating them. Thorough application and coverage are essential, as many insects prefer the undersides of leaves or reside under sepals or buds where they are hard to reach.
Wear protective gear, long sleeves and long pants when spraying. Take care not to swallow, inhale or expose your skin and eyes to the oil.
Proper timing is critical. Dormant oils should be applied at the beginning of dormancy in late November and again during leaf bud swell just before buds begin to open in February or early March. Associating the timing for spraying with Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day can be a helpful mind jogger. The timing coincides with the increasing activity of the larvae of overwintering insects.
These oils are temperature sensitive, so apply on a clear, non-windy day in the 50- to 70-degree temperature range when the temperature is not expected to drop to freezing for 24 hours after application.
A good time to apply dormant oil is right after a period of rain or foggy weather. Do not apply to drought-stressed trees or to any tree during fog, rain, or during or prior to hot or freezing weather. If it rains within hours of application, reapply the treatment. Do not treat within 30 days before or after applications of sulfur or certain other fungicides to avoid damage to trees.
Dormant oil applications are not appropriate on citrus or avocado trees as these species do not enter winter dormancy.
When mixing up spray solutions, mix less than you think you’ll need, as disposal of leftovers is difficult. Estimate the amount your trees will need for good coverage by doing a test spray using water. Always follow the directions on the container label. Although horticultural or dormant oils leave no residue, so they have a limited impact on pets, wildlife and beneficial insects, they are toxic to fish. Carefully follow listed precautions with regard to protecting bees by only spraying in the early morning or late evening.
In addition to the use of dormant sprays, there are several other important non-chemical cultural management options. Avoid overhead irrigation; plant fruit trees in full sun. Rake and destroy (do not compost) the fallen leaves around your fruit tree — space tree plantings and prune to provide good air circulation and light penetration.
Incorporating good cultural practices into your garden maintenance program will set the stage for more successful pest management. By applying dormant oils annually as directed to well-maintained fruit trees, you will help to protect your trees from several overwintering insects and prevent damage to the flower and foliage tissue.
Most actively growing plants are not negatively affected by horticultural oils, especially if they are not under environmental stress. If used properly, horticultural oils can be a less toxic approach than chemically based insecticides.
Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provide science- and research-based information for home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. The office is closed for drop-in visits. Subscribe to the Leaflet, UC Marin Master Gardener’s free quarterly e-newsletter, at marinmg.ucanr.edu
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Spray your deciduous fruit trees now to protect them from pests - Marin Independent Journal
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