Dormant spur or twig sampling in almonds is used to determine the need for a dormant treatment to control San Jose scale, European red mite, brown mite, European fruit lecanium, and almond scab, caused by Fusicladium carpophilum (Venturia carpophila). Spurs or twigs are the short green shoots producing the flower buds, and represent twig growth that developed in the previous summer and fall. They have not yet developed bark. Dormant spur samples are taken once a year between mid-November and the end of January.
For tips on how to sample, as well as treatment thresholds, click here for information straight from the University of California-Davis.