Fruit Tree Planting Tips

Most southern varieties available today are propagated on standard or semidwarf rootstock. Standard trees are long-lived, 50 to 75 years, but harder to maintain. They should be spaced 30 to 40 feet apart. Semidwarf trees are easier to maintain but have a life span of only 25 or 30 years. Semidwarf trees should be spaced 15 to 25 feet apart.

Site Selection

Apple trees should be planted in full sun, where possible. Six hours of sunshine is the minimum. Full sun encourages vigorous growth and full-bodied fruit. It inhibits fungal diseases. At the same time, apples should not be planted on harsh western or southern exposures. In contrast to peaches and plums, apples prefer the cooler northern and eastern slopes.

Air Flow

Apples should be planted where there is good (but not excessive) air flow. Upland slopes running perpendicular to prevailing winds are the ideal. Valleys and ridge tops are the places to avoid. If you have no option but to plant in a valley, try a late-blooming variety like Bramley’s Seedling, Court-Pendu Plat, Mother, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Mollies Delicious, Ralls Janet, or Sweet Sixteen. If a peak is your only option, go with something tough like Smokehouse or Ben Davis.

Be Careful

Protect bare-root trees from exposure to sun and wind prior to planting. If unable to plant quickly, heel the trees in. A good way to transport trees just prior to planting is to set the roots in a five-gallon bucket of water.

How Big is the Hole?

Dig the tree hole a foot or so deep and a couple of feet wide–big enough that no roots will be cramped.

How Deep is the Plant?

Plant semidwarf trees with the graft union two to three inches above the ground. If the union is buried, the tree may root from the scion and become a standard tree. Plant standard trees an inch or so deeper than they were in the nursery, with the graft union at or below ground level.

What about the roots?

Roots covered with clay should be soaked prior to planting. Prune off any broken or damaged roots. Long roots may be removed as necessary.

Fill ‘er Up

Spread the roots naturally in the hole and fill with good soil. Tamp the soil sufficiently to remove large air pockets. Heavy soils should be amended with bark or compost, but don’t overdo it. Too much organic matter can make the hole soggy and cause root rot.

A little restraint

Fertilize newly planted trees with a little bone meal or rock phosphate to stimulate rooting. Do not use nitrogen fertilizers the first spring as they promote quick top growth without proper root support. Later in the season you can bring out the big guns: manure, compost, or fish emulsion.

H₂0

Give newly planted trees plenty of water. This pro motes good soil-to-root contact. It is also important to monitor the soil during the first growing season. If dry to the touch a couple inches down, it’s time to get the hose. A good rule of thumb is to water two to three times a week during dry spells.

Pruning

Transplanted trees need to be pruned to compensate for root loss. Prune two- and three-year trees to stubby scaffold branches. Head one-year trees to about 30 inches. Heading determines the position of a tree’s lowest branches. Five feet is high, two feet is low. Years ago, folks headed high in order to plant crops and cultivate between rows. Today, most people head low; it makes for easier picking.

MAIL-ORDER NURSERIES

Ames’ Orchard & Nursery
Fayetteville, AR
Catalog free.
Ames’ specializes in disease-resistant apple varieties.

Burford Brothers
Monroe, VA
Price list free. Descriptive catalog $2. Tom Burford conducts yearly apple tastings at Monticello.

Hidden Springs Nursery
Cookeville, TN
Catalog $1.

Johnson Nursery
Ellijay, GA
Catalog free.

Southmeadow Fruit Gardens
Baroda, MI
Free price list. Illustrated catalog $9. Southmeadow offers over 250 apple varieties.

Originally published as “Planting Tips” October/November 1996 MOTHER EARTH NEWS.