Difference between revisions of "Plant Fruit Trees"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Choosing a Tree and Planting Location=== | ===Choosing a Tree and Planting Location=== | ||
| − | #Buy a grafted fruit tree. Sweet apples, plums, pears and other fruits come from trees that have been grafted so that they produce the best-tasting fruit. Although fruit trees can be planted from seed, the resulting trees won't necessarily produce fruit that's good to eat. In order to make sure the tree you grow will produce fruit you'll want to eat, the best idea is to buy a grafted fruit tree, which is a very young tree that has been grafted onto a root stock to improve its growth.<ref>http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8048.pdf</ref> | + | #Buy a grafted fruit tree. Sweet apples, plums, pears and other fruits come from trees that have been grafted so that they produce the best-tasting fruit. Although fruit trees can be planted from seed, the resulting trees won't necessarily produce fruit that's good to eat. In order to make sure the tree you grow will produce fruit you'll want to eat, the best idea is to buy a grafted fruit tree, which is a very young tree that has been grafted onto a root stock to improve its growth.<ref name="rf1">http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8048.pdf</ref> |
#*Grafted trees are available as either bare-root trees or potted trees. Bare-root trees are dug up and shipped while they are dormant. You should plant them as soon as you receive them. Potted trees are grown in a pot. They should also be planted while dormant. Potted trees will have more fine roots than bare-root trees do. | #*Grafted trees are available as either bare-root trees or potted trees. Bare-root trees are dug up and shipped while they are dormant. You should plant them as soon as you receive them. Potted trees are grown in a pot. They should also be planted while dormant. Potted trees will have more fine roots than bare-root trees do. | ||
| − | #*Buying a grafted tree from a local nursery is your best bet, since it will stock trees that do well in your particular region.<ref>http://www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/growing-fruits-and-nuts/planting-your-backyard-orchard</ref> | + | #*Buying a grafted tree from a local nursery is your best bet, since it will stock trees that do well in your particular region.<ref name="rf2">http://www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/growing-fruits-and-nuts/planting-your-backyard-orchard</ref> |
#Look for an open, sunny spot in the yard. Fruit trees generally need at least six hours of full sunlight in order to grow strong and produce healthy fruit. Look for a spot in the yard where the fruit tree won't be shaded by your home or other taller trees. You should also look for a spot without a lot of other foliage nearby, so the tree won't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water. | #Look for an open, sunny spot in the yard. Fruit trees generally need at least six hours of full sunlight in order to grow strong and produce healthy fruit. Look for a spot in the yard where the fruit tree won't be shaded by your home or other taller trees. You should also look for a spot without a lot of other foliage nearby, so the tree won't have to compete with other plants for nutrients and water. | ||
#*You should also select the location of your fruit tree by imagining it at full size. Take into account its width and understand that the roots of your tree will reach out as far as the length of the branches. This means that you don't want it too close to a building or driveway. | #*You should also select the location of your fruit tree by imagining it at full size. Take into account its width and understand that the roots of your tree will reach out as far as the length of the branches. This means that you don't want it too close to a building or driveway. | ||
| − | #Check the drainage in your planting area. Aside from full sun, proper soil drainage is the other essential condition for thriving fruit trees. The soil must not retain a lot of water, or it will cause the fruit trees' roots to rot in the ground. Check the soil drainage by digging a hole {{convert|1|ft|m|adj=on|1}} deep and filling it with water. If the water drains quickly, the area should be fine for planting a fruit tree. If the water stands in the hole, choose another part of the yard.<ref | + | #Check the drainage in your planting area. Aside from full sun, proper soil drainage is the other essential condition for thriving fruit trees. The soil must not retain a lot of water, or it will cause the fruit trees' roots to rot in the ground. Check the soil drainage by digging a hole {{convert|1|ft|m|adj=on|1}} deep and filling it with water. If the water drains quickly, the area should be fine for planting a fruit tree. If the water stands in the hole, choose another part of the yard.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If the soil in your yard is clay-heavy, which can cause it to drain poorly, you still have options. You can plant your fruit tree in a raised bed or till the soil and mix it with compost or peat moss in order to loosen it for better drainage. | #*If the soil in your yard is clay-heavy, which can cause it to drain poorly, you still have options. You can plant your fruit tree in a raised bed or till the soil and mix it with compost or peat moss in order to loosen it for better drainage. | ||
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#Dig a wide hole. Use a shovel to dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots of the tree you're planting. Fruit trees' roots tend to grow outward, and this will give them plenty of room. Make sure that the roots are surrounded by loose soil so that they are not challenged by compressed earth. | #Dig a wide hole. Use a shovel to dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots of the tree you're planting. Fruit trees' roots tend to grow outward, and this will give them plenty of room. Make sure that the roots are surrounded by loose soil so that they are not challenged by compressed earth. | ||
#*At the same time, it's important not to dig the hole too deep. Since you're working with a grafted bare root, it's important that the graft at the base of the tree stay above the soil. | #*At the same time, it's important not to dig the hole too deep. Since you're working with a grafted bare root, it's important that the graft at the base of the tree stay above the soil. | ||
| − | #*If you're planting more than one tree, plant them at least {{convert|18|in|cm|1}} apart. Keep in mind that some trees require as much as 20 feet of spacing. When you buy the tree, determine how big it will grow when it is mature to determine how much space you need between trees. In general, the more space you can give them, the better.<ref | + | #*If you're planting more than one tree, plant them at least {{convert|18|in|cm|1}} apart. Keep in mind that some trees require as much as 20 feet of spacing. When you buy the tree, determine how big it will grow when it is mature to determine how much space you need between trees. In general, the more space you can give them, the better.<ref name="rf2" /> |
# Follow directions for amending the soil during the fruit tree planting process. Depending on what type of tree you're planting and what your soil quality is, you may want to add organic nutrients to the hole you've dug before planting. In some cases, all that is needed is a sprinkle of compost on the base of the hole. | # Follow directions for amending the soil during the fruit tree planting process. Depending on what type of tree you're planting and what your soil quality is, you may want to add organic nutrients to the hole you've dug before planting. In some cases, all that is needed is a sprinkle of compost on the base of the hole. | ||
#*Check with the nursery regarding amending soil and what they suggest. In some cases you may not even have to amend the soil because the existing soil contains enough nutrition. | #*Check with the nursery regarding amending soil and what they suggest. In some cases you may not even have to amend the soil because the existing soil contains enough nutrition. | ||
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#[[Protect Fruit Trees from Animals|Protect the tree from animals.]] If you have deer or other animals in your area that like to browse on young trees, you may want to fence off the tree. You can do this by cutting three or four feet of chicken wire or a similar material. Mold it into a loop, and place it over your tree, securing it with a stake. Make sure that the fencing material reaches over the top of the tree. | #[[Protect Fruit Trees from Animals|Protect the tree from animals.]] If you have deer or other animals in your area that like to browse on young trees, you may want to fence off the tree. You can do this by cutting three or four feet of chicken wire or a similar material. Mold it into a loop, and place it over your tree, securing it with a stake. Make sure that the fencing material reaches over the top of the tree. | ||
===Caring for a Fruit Tree=== | ===Caring for a Fruit Tree=== | ||
| − | #[[Prune a Fruit Tree|Decide how to prune.]] If you want the tree to produce fruiting branches low to the ground, you can prune it to knee height and cut back the side branches to one or two buds. This will direct the tree's energy to producing low branches at the cuts you made.<ref | + | #[[Prune a Fruit Tree|Decide how to prune.]] If you want the tree to produce fruiting branches low to the ground, you can prune it to knee height and cut back the side branches to one or two buds. This will direct the tree's energy to producing low branches at the cuts you made.<ref name="rf2" /> On the other hand, you can lop off the bottom branches if you'd prefer the tree not to have branches low to the ground. |
#Protect the tree from sunburn. Many fruit tree growers use a diluted solution of half white latex paint, half water to paint the tree trunk to act as a sunscreen. If you live in a region with very strong sun, like the Southwestern US, using this method will protect your tree from sun damage. | #Protect the tree from sunburn. Many fruit tree growers use a diluted solution of half white latex paint, half water to paint the tree trunk to act as a sunscreen. If you live in a region with very strong sun, like the Southwestern US, using this method will protect your tree from sun damage. | ||
| − | #Control weeds. It's important to weed the area around the tree as it grows to protect the roots and keep the tree growing healthy and strong. Pull the weeds by hand, rather than using an herbicide.<ref>http://umaine.edu/publications/2411e/</ref> | + | #Control weeds. It's important to weed the area around the tree as it grows to protect the roots and keep the tree growing healthy and strong. Pull the weeds by hand, rather than using an herbicide.<ref name="rf3">http://umaine.edu/publications/2411e/</ref> |
#Don't overwater. Keeping the soil constantly wet is not necessary, and can lead to the roots rotting. Let the rainwater your tree. If a week has passed with no rainfall, water it thoroughly, then let it dry out again. | #Don't overwater. Keeping the soil constantly wet is not necessary, and can lead to the roots rotting. Let the rainwater your tree. If a week has passed with no rainfall, water it thoroughly, then let it dry out again. | ||
