Menu Close
Avatar
Log In
Please consider registering
Guest
Forum Scope






Start typing a member's name above and it will auto-complete

Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_TopicIcon
Freezing pear trees
Avatar
Steve in Idaho
2 Posts
(Offline)
1
March 19, 2012 - 5:18 pm

Any tips on protecting fruit tees from freezing temps? I live in Idaho, Boise area. Have 3 asian pear trees that are about to bloom. It is March 18 but temps may still get below freezing here. Trees are on espalier, wires. Don't want to lose the blooms and not get any fruit again this year. Any suggestions? Thanks

Avatar
DonRicks
188 Posts
(Offline)
2
March 21, 2012 - 4:20 pm

Well, I am old enough to remember when they used oil-burning smudge pots in the orchards on nights of frost protection.....it would make the orchards one heck of an eery smoky mess but nowadays our sense of social consciousness makes that one an unpopular option and you aren't likely to see anyone do that.
Some orchards use windmills in certain areas where cold temperatures accumulate in a cold sinkhole in order to fan out the super-cold spots.
What seems to be more likely to be recommended now, though, and especially for the homeowner, is to provide a sprinkling of water on the tree just before the freezing takes place......google "orchard sprinkling frost protection" and see what you get in the way of some links that can provide info on this. I have not tried sprinkling trees for protection and thus can not speak from direct experience. Maybe someone else can speak up who has had success.
What I know is that it has to be done right, it only works for certain types of cold (not prolonged sub-freezing nights and mornings), and seems to work paradoxically by the heat that is RELEASED to the blossoms by the chemical reaction of water turning to ice. So that actually in certain cases you want to artificially create ice on the tree to protect the blossoms.
I know that sounds risky.....maybe it is......but I am sure it works for the person who knows how to do it.

Forum Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
All RSSShow Stats
Administrators:
Idyllwild
simplepress
Moderators:
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
Top Posters:
John S: 3032
Rooney: 873
DanielW: 519
PlumFun: 495
Reinettes: 429
jafarj: 422
davem: 394
sweepbjames: 269
Dubyadee: 248
jadeforrest: 237
Newest Members:
MustafaGoyette
margaritomiles
kelvinknotts
sybilhash58
bellasisson18
pennyrodman7398
alisharodius90
gladysxgk565
MaribelKreiger
talleychan02
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 4
Topics: 2988
Posts: 17412

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 0
Members: 3845
Moderators: 3
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 445
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 66
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)