Is winter washing fruit trees on your to-do list this month? We examine the pros and cons and look at natural alternatives to prevent pests

Close up of flowering crab apple tree with blossom.

Winter washing fruit trees is a way to help control pests and diseases by spraying trees with a mixture of natural plant oils diluted in water. Such products are regularly seen for sale each winter, but do the benefits of winter washing fruit trees outweigh the drawbacks?

In summary, winter tree wash can kill pests that may be overwintering on fruit trees. However, it also poses risks to other beneficial insects, including predators that can deal with pests and hibernating wildlife.