Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Nov 09: In an effort to protect their orchards from possible damage caused by untimely snowfall, apple growers in Kashmir have begun early pruning of their trees. However, agricultural experts are raising concerns, calling this move “unscientific” and warning that it could harm the long-term health of the trees.
Apple growers from various parts of the valley who spoke with the news agency Kashmir News Observer, said that while many portions of the harvest have not yet been plucked or packed, they have already started pruning their apple trees in anticipation of the upcoming winter.
Altaf Ahmad, a fruit grower from Shopian, said, “We are yet to pack half of our produce, but we’ve already completed pruning because we’ve suffered significant losses due to untimely snowfalls in recent years.” He expressed concerns over the financial strain that repeated weather-related damage could cause, saying, “If our orchards face the same fate again, we will collapse economically.”
A grower from Anantnag said pruning is typically carried out by the end of November. However, with fears of an early snowfall, many growers have decided to begin the process earlier than usual. “Most of us have moved our apple produce to safer places, prioritising the pruning process first. This way, we hope to avoid any damage to the trees in case of an early snowfall,” he said.
Despite these precautions, experts are concerned about the unscientific timing of the pruning. While it is true that unpruned trees are more vulnerable to damage during snowfall, experts warn that pruning during this time, when the leaves are still green, can harm the trees. Pruning should ideally be done after the leaves have fallen and the tree has entered its dormancy phase, they said.
Agricultural experts said pruning when the leaves are still green causes several issues, including the loss of essential nutrients. “Pruning green leaves disrupts the tree’s ability to photosynthesise, which in turn depletes its energy reserves,” said one expert. “This can lead to increased water stress, delayed regrowth, and a higher risk of disease.”
Dr Bilal, a plant pathologist, explained that pruning during this period can severely affect the health of the trees. “By cutting green leaves, which are essential for photosynthesis, growers are essentially cutting off the tree’s food supply, wasting the energy the tree has stored,” he said.
Experts recommend waiting until the leaves naturally turn yellow and fall before pruning, as this is when the tree is not actively using nutrients and is in a more stable state for pruning. “Pruning at the right time ensures the tree’s recovery and reduces the risk of long-term damage,” they added.
Experts have urged the growers to be patient and adhere to best practices to avoid causing unnecessary harm to their trees. The long-term health of the orchards depends on proper care and timely intervention, not premature pruning, they advised—(KNO)
