Forgiving trees

Jul 22, 2020 16:21:29

The last several years We have neglected our fruit trees. I was going to say I, because I'm the one and only to care for the poor things. My husband has a neck injury, and even though the doctors have "fixed" the problem my husband lives with debilitating chronic pain. My 4 kids are adults 19 to 27 all but the 22 year old still live at home, but they just don't. Anyway Our poor neglected trees were looking bad, a few looked to be on deaths door. Starting last fall I have been trying to do better. Watering and some basics. A couple of months ago I ringed the trees with wood chips (making sure the wood didn't touch the tree) My son was out cutting something with the chainsaw, and I dragged him to the navel and satsuma orange trees and had him cut off all the dead branches and trim some larger branches to balance it out a bit. I finished the job the best I could with the loppers. The satsuma didn't look very good, and I was pretty sure the orange was a goner. I'm not going to say they look amazing, but considering what they looked like only a couple of months ago there is a lot of improvement. I really didn't think the smaller of the two which is orange would live. My son said we should just cut it down and buy a new one. I don't know how old it is, but we have lived here 26 years and the tree was full grown then. It was much bigger, and my husband and I took good care of it for many of those years. I don't know how long it will live, and or produce, but it deserved better care then it got, and seem willing to forgive my neglect. I may plant it a friend, but I won't cut it down until it's life is done.

Jul 22, 2020 17:01:49

Cut yourself a little slack. Trees have a lifespan, so it may not be neglect at all.

I have found that fruit trees respond quite well to a judicious haircut. It makes them feel wanted, or gives them a reason to fight. Or something.

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