Save this December fruit tree checklist to enjoy delicious fruits next year!
If you’ve harvested the last fruit crop from your trees, you might wonder if there’s anything else you need to do in December. Fruit trees begin entering their dormant phase around this period, so it’s the right time to take stock.
Now’s the best time to plant your fruit trees, too, so if you want to grow your collection, you’ll need to be quick and get ahead of any incoming frosts unless you live in a warm area of our country.
When you’re typically tidying up your modern garden ahead of winter, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on fruit trees and remove any windfall fruit and fallen leaves that may be collecting around the base.
And clean up around your fruit trees carefully to avoid leaving a winter home for insects. December is also the month to cut out any damaged or diseased branches as long as frost isn’t forecast, but this is more of a tidy-up than a full-scale prune.
If you grow your fruit trees in pots, it’s also time to move them to a frost-free place and check regularly to ensure the roots are fresh. Now, find out the other vital things to consider regarding what to do to your fruit trees by going over our December fruit tree checklist below.
December Fruit Tree Checklist item #1: Establish a mulch zone
This season is a perfect time to establish a mulch zone under the drip line of your fruit trees if you don’t already have one. This will help with year-round water retention and add necessary organic matter back into your soil as the mulch begins to break down.
The drip line is the area under the tree branches’ outer rim. Mulch insulation retains moisture and heat between the mulch cover and the ground soil, stopping your soil from freezing and dying out. This will keep the tree roots warm and wet until spring.
Just remember that even though mulching is excellent for insulating the roots of fruit trees, it can also attract pests. Insects also prefer wet and warm areas because they’re highly susceptible to drying out. Many take advantage of mulch cover including woodchips or leaf litter.
So what can you do? Pull back the mulch after the cold season ends to prevent future infestations, and avoid overwatering plants.
December Fruit Tree Checklist item #2: Protect your fruit trees from pests
There are many pests in the fall that feed on the fruit from trees as well as on the wood itself, although not many insects are active when temperatures plunge. So pests are overwintering in nearby hiding spots or fallen fruit.
Codling moths, for instance, love apples. And during winter, you might not see these pests actively crawling around, but they’re likely loitering in dropped apples or silk cocoons near the tree they invaded.
To prevent these pests from taking over, remove any fallen fruit from around the tree’s base. Japanese beetle grubs are another annoying fruit tree pest, taking shelter in the soil until ground temperatures heat back up, then appearing to eat the leaves, flowers, stems, and fruit.
So remember to pull back the mulch after the season’s last frost to remove additional hiding areas, protect your plants, and prevent excess moisture build-up.
Winter wrapping trees with burlap, Kraft paper, or tree tents can also help keep these pests at bay and protect the tree from any harsh winds. And don’t forget that as the trees lose their leaves due to cold weather, their once-shaded trunks are now exposed to direct sunlight.
Although air temperatures might be colder, trunks can heat up and cause harm to the tree. When trunks are exposed to rapid cooling and heating from sudden sun exposure, trunks can crack and will create new entry points for insects to benefit from.
Some arborists paint the bottom of fruit trees white to prevent any of this from occurring. Think of it as a sunscreen for trees. Rather than protecting the trees from UV rays, the paint keeps the newly exposed trees cooler in the cold months.
December Fruit Tree Checklist item #3: Protect your fruit trees from damage
Most fruit trees are pretty sturdy while dormant over the winter season because temperatures don’t drop low enough to hurt them. The most important thing to consider is if your fruit tree is well adapted to your region.
If you live in a climate with colder winters, it’s necessary to choose cold-resistant cultivars if your current fruit trees aren’t flourishing. Fruit trees that are grown in pots are much more vulnerable than the ones planted in the ground, which are partially insulated by the soil.
Try layering straw on top of the soil to protect the roots because they’re more sensitive to the cold. Citrus trees like lemons are best overwintered on a porch or any other covered area. One of the biggest threats to young fruit trees in the wintertime is hungry critters.
In places with heavy deer populations, certain steps should be taken, like adding protective fencing, to prevent deer from damaging fruit trees. In addition to deer, voles can be a nuisance, as well.
So, taking the appropriate preventative measures is imperative when these are a threat. Physical barriers like mouse guards work best. Also, check any stakes you may have to ensure fruit trees are tied securely, decreasing the possibility of wind damage.
December Fruit Tree Checklist item #4: Hold off pruning fruit trees in December
It’s better to avoid pruning your fruit trees or bushes in December because this can stimulate new growth when the tree is ready to enter dormancy.
Pruning them in the fall encourages new development ahead of the winter season, which can leave them exposed to frost damage.
Pruning also tends to lessen hardiness, so the situation will worsen if extreme temperatures follow this because it takes two weeks for the tree to recuperate. Light pruning of any diseased, dead, or unsightly branches in the fall is another story, though.
Just as long as you don’t live in an area with a particularly brutal winter. The most suitable time to prune your fruit trees is late winter toward early spring when it will least affect winter hardiness and tree health.
So you can cross off pruning from your list of what to do to your fruit trees in December and instead spend the time planning what new varieties you wish to add to your collection.
December Fruit Tree Checklist item #5: Check the health of your soil
Fruit trees can still benefit from some loving care in December. In northern climates, fall is typically when new root growth happens and trees become inactive. This is a fantastic time to examine your soil and add modifications based on soil test results.
Healthy soil is critical to fruit tree nutrition. Soil quality indicators include structure, pH, organic matter amount, water-holding capacity, and microbial activity.
In a best-case scenario, your soil should be granular, sandy loam, and porous to enable good air and water circulation. A slightly acidic soil pH of around 6.0 is the most suitable for fruit trees.
If it’s been a dry autumn where you live, it might be necessary to water your fruit trees thoroughly before they go dormant. They need enough water to reach the roots and sufficiently hydrate before entering winter mode.
Has this December fruit tree checklist helped you? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. And if you liked this article, we highly recommend you also read: 6 Easy Houseplant Care Tips ALL Pros Recommend
