Trees: Management throughout the Year
Walker County Extension Service
The Texas A&M University System
Reggie Lepley, Robbie Peters & Dawn Henry
County Extension Agents
January - Transplant bareroot and container grown trees, Move hardy seedlings outdoors.
Plant bare root or container grown Pecans & Fruit trees.
February - Transplant bareroot and container grown trees, Move hardy seedlings outdoors.
Plant bare root or container grown Pecans & Fruit trees.
Prune evergreen shrubs, shade and fruit trees (best time is just before bud break).
Water well before freeze, but avoid overwatering.
Spray fruit trees with dormant oil just prior to bud break. Call for spray schedule for fruit and nuts trees from the
Extension Office.
March- Plant container grown Fruit & Nut trees.
Prune flowering shrubs & trees after they bloom.
Spray peach & plum trees for curculio when 3/4 petals have fallen (repeat three times at two week intervals).
Call for spray schedule for fruit and nuts from the Extension Office.
April- Water dry soil areas as needed.
Mulch trees, shrubs after soil has warmed with 2-4" of mulch. Pine needles and oak leaves make a good mulch for
acid-loving plants.
Continue spraying peach and plum trees for curculio. Call for spray schedule for fruit and nuts from the Extension
Office.
Prune flowering shrubs & trees after they bloom.
Thin peaches 4 - 6 inches apart and plums 3 - 4 inches apart. Thin apples & pears to one per cluster.
May - Transplant container grown plants.
Feed crepe myrtle beneath the branch spread with 1/2 cup per square yard of complete fertilizer.
Fertilize fruit trees with 1/2 cup 15-5-10 fertilizer.
Prune spring flowering shrubs & trees after they bloom.
Water dry soil areas as needed.
Spray peach and plum trees for curculio. Call for spray schedule for fruit and nuts from the Extension Office.
June- Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs, as needed.
Treat bagworms & webworms. Watch for scale insects and mealybugs, treat with summer oil or horticultural oil.
July- Fertilize young fruit trees (except pears) with a 3-1-2 ratio product at 1 lb. per inch of trunk diameter.
Prune and remove vigorous growth from center of peach and plum trees to prevent shading of fruiting shoots.
Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs as needed.
Watch for webworms in pecans and persimmons. Powdery mildew on crepe myrtles. Scale on peaches and
plums. Spray trunks to prevent borer attack. Remove any diseased leaves form planting beds.
Trim selected limbs to increase light available for lawns and turf.
August- Keep fruit trees well watered.
Feed fruit trees showing poor color & vigor.
Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs, as needed.
Borers in peaches, plums and other trees may be a problem.
September- Prepare soil now for winter fruit tree planting.
Water trees and shrubs deeply and slowly.
Fall Webworms are easiest to control when treated early.
Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs.
Test soil to plan fertilizer applications.
October- Falling leaves make autumn a good time to start a compost pile. Shred or mow big leaves to speed decomposition. Turn compost pile and keep moist.
November- Prune and remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees.
December- Transplant trees and shrubs so they get established before warm weather arrives next summer.
Cut mistletoe out of trees. Remove infested limbs if possible.
Prune peaches, plums, and other fruit trees.
Prune evergreens such as holly, yew, and junipers. Save the trimmings for holiday decorations.
Water dry areas to protect against cold injury.
information adapted from the Montgomery County Master Gardener Calendar
The Walker County Extension Office
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures on this page or subsequently linked pages does not constitute an endorsement by any Extension page authors and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms. Furthermore, Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
C:\Walker\footer.wpd
This page last modified on: December 1, 1999