Now is a good time to think about tree care and pruning. Don't wait until first leaf-out; when warmer weather comes along (above 40 degrees), plan on some action.

The same is true with dormant sprays. These oil and lime-sulfur mixtures are best applied before the plants' buds swell and start to leaf out. Many products have been developed recently that extend the period of use. Check with your local garden supply center for the latest info.

Dormant oils do a good job of controlling overwintering insects and diseases before they create new problems. They can clear out insect eggs, scale, mealy bugs, mites and sometimes even hibernating caterpillars.

Apply early on a quiet, sunny day when the temperature is above 40 degrees. This will give your plants time to dry out before night. Cover all the twigs and branches thoroughly, but don't overdo it - stop before the liquid starts to run off. Follow all other directions on the container's label.

This is also a good time for some constructive pruning. With fruit trees, a main goal is to open the inside to sunlight. You can accomplish this by picturing a shape like a shallow cup and making your cuts accordingly. Your trees will reward you with fruit of better quality and more even ripeness.

Of course, all damaged and dried branches need to go, as do branches that form crossovers. Finish your spring pruning by balancing the tree's appearance.

Flowering shrubs like forsythia can wait for their trim until after they bloom. Or you can cut them now and practice "force blooming," a method that also works for apple, cherry, lilac and peach branches.

To encourage these specimens to bloom, crush the stem bottoms to increase water uptake and put them in a bucket or container of water. Place the bucket where it won't freeze and where there is plenty of light, but not in a hot window. At this time of year, it will be only a matter of days before some buds swell, show color and start to open. Change the water every few days to keep things fresh.

While you're pruning your flowering shrubs and fruit trees, check all the other perennial plants. Wet spring snows can crack and split limbs. Branches split parallel to their length will often heal over if the damage isn't too bad, particularly with trees like soft maples. If the branch is drooping, it's best to remove it before further damage occurs.

If a big, wet snow comes before spring, try to knock the snow off before it gets too heavy. Usually a broom or rake will do the job. If the temperature is above freezing, you can spray the snow off with a hose. If snow is still falling, it won't stick to the branches or needles as you spray.

This is also a good time to check apple trees for holdover cankers of fire blight disease. They are usually dark brown and show up as sunken areas on twigs and branches. Cut below the canker 6 to 8 inches toward the tree. Between cuts disinfect the tool by dipping it into a solution of Clorox and water or rubbing alcohol.

As an additional preventive step, you can apply a copper-based fungicide along with your dormant oil spray after pruning.

Dale Langford is an area lawn and garden specialist.