Spring?

On the whole the winter has been most satisfactory here at Crapes with only our Vranja quince trees showing that they are alive. The cold spell at the end of February will have done no harm to established trees.

The chill has come from the East. Those travelling across Europe by land will observe  white tree trunks in gardens , orchards and municipal areas. The whitewash coating , often a metre or more above ground level is to reflect the effect of the sun  from the bark of the tree trunks during continental frosty periods. Without this there is a serious risk of the bark splitting as the tissues thaw too rapidly.  Obvioiusly this predisposes the fabric of the tree to disease.

Likewise, ‘the ice storm’ phenoema, the effects of which I have seen in Gracemont Oklahoma. Yes, Dust Bowl country more asoiciated with soil blows and the planting of Eucalyptus to help with soil retention, but harsh winter weather is experienced there also. Having tried pruning some fruit trees there which had suffered from ice storms over the years the current weather forecast for freezing rain in the southern UK with this extra serious windchill causes concern that a similar effect might happen here in Essex.

The harsh effect of the windchill on the youngest one year growth on the ends of the branches, and the blasting by ice particles, might  be seen once temperatures return to our usual for March. Anything which either cuts off or nips out the terminal bud whether it be with secateurs, powdery mildew infection or frosty wind  damage is, in effect, pruning and the tree will respond accordingly. At least with secateurs control is maintained.

Mother Nature  doesn’t believe in being controlled!