It would not hurt to put some mulch around the base of the tree, but not
touching
the trunks. The problem with these cold temperatures is the alternate freezing
and
thawing of the ground and it's affect on the roots, especially when the
temperatures
keep hovering around the freezing point. The mulch should help to even up the
temperature fluctuations, to some degree. You have to be careful to plant
varieties
of apples and stone fruits that are hearty for your climate zone. Most of these
trees
need a certain amount of chill hours and if the proper variety, can withstand
periods
of cold temperatures. They should be dormant, but as stated earlier, you don't
want
them to come out of dormancy only to be hit by freezing temperatures. Also, the

Winter sun can be quite strong, so tree guards can help keep the trunks from
burning
up, as well as keep the hungry critters at bay.

Sherwin D.

BB wrote:

I have deciduous fruit trees that are dormant (Peach, apple, apricot). (As
they should be this time of year.) A couple have buds that haven't opened
(big surprise). We are supposed to get temps down into the mid- to upper
20's this weekend with very little possibility of snow.

Question is this: Do the trees need to be protected from such cold
temperatures?

-Bryan

--
************************************************** **********
* Can't see the Forest | Bryan B. *
* Through the Trees? | Reply if you want. E-mail *
* Take it out! | address changes frequently *
* (Damn Viruses!) | to foil spambots. *
************************************************** **********