Planting Fruit Tree: A 10-Step Guide

Few things in life bring more joy than planting a fruit tree. Learn how to avoid future problems by following some simple planning steps before planting.

When it comes to planting fruit trees, the importance of the planning stage cannot be overemphasized. This includes selecting the best location for your new planting, above and below ground. We strongly recommend contacting your local utility company before digging to avoid damage to cables, pipes and other underground structures.

Too often we encounter troubles because we act first and think later. That’s why, when planting an orchard or even a few trees in the back yard, it’s a good idea to take a step back and visualize how our efforts will look 10 years from now. Remember, the time difference between a vegetable garden and productive fruit trees can be years! It's also well worth the wait, so, to start things off right, let’s avoid future problems by considering a few key things before planting.

Another helper to hold the tree vertically (will need two sets of hands)

A bucket/bin to soak the tree roots in water

A shovel or spade for digging

For dwarf and semi-dwarf trees, a stake/post to place next to the tree

Something to bang the post in (a hammer or rock will do)

Tree ties to connect the stake to the tree

Tree guards for protecting against animal damage

1-2 Gallons of Water

You should prepare the planting area before planting the tree.

Fruit trees grow best in well-draining, nutrient rich, loamy soil which is slightly acidic.

Different fruit trees prefer different levels of acidity, but most thrive in soils with an acidity range of 5.0 to 7.5.

Before planting, you can test your soil for acidity, soil type, and drainage (you can use inexpensive DIY methods).

Feel free to add organic matter, such as compost, to the soil to increase the nutrient content, but do not fertilize directly into the soil where the tree's roots will touch.

Work the soil so that nutrients are absorbed into the soil, reducing soil compaction and allowing the roots to grow better.

Hold the tree vertically and replace the nutrient-rich topsoil you dug up close to the roots. After spreading half the soil around the tree, press the soil down lightly with your foot to prevent air pockets. Do not add fertilizer or compost into the root hole because it will damage the tree.

Add the remaining soil on top and press down repeatedly with your foot.

If the tree is on a slope, place a 2-foot border of soil around the tree to keep water around it.

Water the tree immediately after planting, about 1 to 2 gallons per day. If the soil breaks down, add more soil.

Water 1 to 2 times a week for the first year with 1 to 2 gallons of water. After that, watering is allowed only if the tree is stressed or experiencing drought.

Pruning is an important part of learning how to plant fruit trees. Pruning at planting will help give the tree the perfect shape for fruit production right from the start.

If you plant a sweet cherry tree, you should prune it in late summer, not spring, because the cut branches are more susceptible to disease.

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