Dormant oil

[NorthWI]

I am in zone 3/4 in northern WI and the snow melt has finally let me get out to spray my 65 apple trees. The majority are dormant, a few have slight color at the tips of the buds with no leaf protrusion. Is it too late to use a mineral oil based dormant oil? Should I use an all season Neem oil instead? Has anyone done damage to apple trees by spraying dormant oil too late and if so what happened?

Thank for any responses

 

[Prof.Kent]

Dormant oil cannot hurt trees. Well, unless it freez the buds or blossoms. Spray away.

 

[Wild Thing]

When should dormant oil sprays be applied to apple trees?Iowa State Universityhttps://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu › faq › when-shoul...

 

[Prof.Kent]

Dormant oil is used to smother (deprive of oxygen) insect eggs laid on the branches. The oil coats the eggs. So you have to soak the branches well.

 

[NorthWI]

Dormant oil cannot hurt trees. Well, unless it freez the buds or blossoms. Spray away.

Thank you, I was just worried because the label says must be applied before bud swell. I have to put off the spraying more now because the night temps are going below freezing again...

 

[bigboreblr]

Too late for zone 5/6 in NY? Neem oil like captain jacks overkill, or just canola oil? Guys think its' even worth it. I do have a maybe 150 acre or so orchard a 1/2 mile away and some random trees in the neighborhood. I got 4 mature and 25 to 30 trees planted in 2023.

Was pruning last week and got an inchworm on me. thin kit was a canker worm.