The best trees are at least two years old and from 3-5 feet tall. They will survive the disturbing transplanting process and also bear fruit faster.

Start with a reputable garden nursery that you trust. The young trees should have their roots wrapped in damp packing material and plastic. This prevents the roots from drying out and causing the tree to die.

When you get your tree home, leave it in a cool, shaded area, with the packing material intact. On the day you intend to plant it, remove the material and place the roots in a pail of water to soak ideally overnight. Make a large hole, at least half the size of the full spread of the tree’s root system. Use rich topsoil in the bottom of the hole to give added nourishment and strength to your fruit tree. To loosen the soil and give the area a chance at good moisture and drainage, mix 1 part peat moss to ever 2 parts of topsoil.
If the ground you are working with is extremely acid, use limestone to bring it to good planting earth.

After planting and pruning, water the tree thoroughly and give it a pailful of water every week during the spring and summer months, except when it rains. Use a little less water then but equivalent to the pailful. To keep the moisture around your tree and keep weeds from growing, spread a mulch of ground bark or wood chips about 3-4 inches deep around the trunk, with a shallow moat of earth made to hold the water until it is absorbed.
If you follow a few precautionary planting tips such as those above, you will be far ahead in your quest for healthy plants and abundant harvests.

So get ready for those apple, cherry, or pear dessert ideas. Enjoy!
©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 May

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