Winter is a good time to care for your trees. Sharpen your secateurs and wipe blades after use with methylated spirit to prevent transfer of pathogens. Remove loose bark with a wire brush to destroy over-wintering insects eggs such as two-spotted mite and codling moth grubs.

Check for borer damage and destroy borers with a fine wire.

Prune all dead or damaged wood, as well as suckers from below the graft.

Remove branches growing into the centre of the tree.

Remove over-crowded branches, especially if rubbing together.

Prune out narrow-angled branch crotches, as these harbour pests and can break under the weight of fruit; aim for a 60° angle where the branch joins the trunk .

Shorten back last season's growth.

Keep stone fruit trees under 3m in height for ease of harvesting and to facilitate bird net protection and fruit fly.

Spray stone fruit for peach leaf curl, at early bud swell with Bordeaux. (Kocide)

Gall wasps attack citrus trees and cause swellings in the stems. Prune out any affected wood and destroy.