Healthy and younger apple trees are safer from frost damage than older apple trees, but it is important to protect both. Frosts start in the early spring around March and return in the fall around October so these are the times you want to make sure to protect your apple trees. It is also important to winterize your apple trees where freezing weather will be a constant. Does this Spark an idea?
Fall
Cover the ground around the tree with fresh mulch to protect the roots of the tree. Pull any weeds that may take water away from the tree as well as trim all grass around the tree. If the tree is new or thin, wrap burlap around the tree trunk to protect it from damage in the winter. If animals such as deer are around your home, think about putting some wire around the tree to protect against damage by animals.
Winter
Water your apple tree before the ground freezes to give a little extra protection. Now is the time to prune your apple tree for the dormant season. Trim off any damaged or dead branches. Trim back any branches that are longer in length then other branches. Also, remove heavy snow that bogs down the branches of your tree throughout the winter.
Spring
When the first thaws come, begin to water your tree once a week. Remove snow and remove the old mulch around the base of the tree and apply new mulch. Fertilizing the tree now will help the root systems grow strong for the summer. After the blossoms fall, begin spraying your apple trees to prevent bugs, damage from frost and to promote apple growth. Continue to weed the area around the tree and also keep the grass trimmed around the tree.
Severe Frosts
In the event of a severe frost or several days of frost, consider covering your tree with plastic to protect from freezing temperature damage. Cover the tree before the sun goes down and uncover it when temperatures rise and the frost on the ground has disappeared.
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