What should I doo for my fruit trees?

[Diesel JD]

Hey everyone. I just want some professional advice on what if anything I should do here in the fall for my fruit trees. I have a plum tree and a loquat. For those who don't know, the loquat blooms in the fall, and I don't want to do anything to make it more susceptible to freeze damage, nor do I want to burn it with the blooms on. So should I fertilize these trees or just leave them be? Alsoi if anyone knows a way to keep the nuisance squirrels and birds away from the fruit in the spring...that info would be much appreciated. I had a tree full of plums and never got to pick the first one last year...all thanks to the squirrels.
Thanks again,
J.D.

 

[Sheshovel]

Well not a thing.As far as squirrels go all you can do is cover with a bird net and put a squirrel baffel around the trunk of your tree.

 

[Trinity Honoria]

Well not a thing.As far as squirrels go all you can do is cover with a bird net and put a squirrel baffel around the trunk of your tree.

squirrels???

my cats believe i have brought them here purely for their enjoyment...

they used to invite them in as playmates, get bored relatively fast, and release them... i have since closed the cat door

i have few unwanted creatures here-- moles, voles, squirrels, chipmunks... i recommend cats...

 

[Diesel JD]

What is a squirrel baffle? Cats....sadly not an option...the dog hastes them and my brother is severely allergic. So you all are saying no fertilizer...leave nature to run it's course? Do I understand correctly? Thank you for your input!
J.D.

 

[Sheshovel]

You do not want to fertilize now the trees are going into their dormant stage,you would fertilize in spring and during the growing season.You can buy a baffel from Gardens Alive! company.

 

[jimmyq]

.

 

[treeseer]

You do not want to fertilize now the trees are going into their dormant stage, .

You do not want to force top growth now, true, but fall is a good time to correct deficiencies in the soil, especially air and organic matter. Your extension agent can help you get a soil test; job #1 is to find out what's in there.

Many trees put on a flush of feeder roots in the fall, so the timing is right for low-N fert.

 

[LightningLoader]

I wouldn't waste my fertilizer on a loquat tree. They pretty much take care of themselves. Don't know about the plum.

 

[Diesel JD]

Thanks for the responses...the big issue is keeping those daggone squirrels in check...as it is they and not the birds that do most of teh unauthorized harvesting in my neighborhood. I will be looking into Gardens Alive! and one of teh squirrel baffles.
J.D.