The planting of fruit trees is a great investment in the future. It means that you are getting a return on your investment and that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come. Planting fruit trees is also a good way to start a garden or add more plants to your backyard.
Site Selection And Tree Types
Before you plant your fruit trees, you’ll need to consider where to place them. Ideally, you’ll want a spot that has good air circulation and drainage. The soil should also be well-drained, but rich with nutrients and organic matter. Other factors like sun exposure and temperature also affect how your trees grow. The best time to plant fruit trees is in the fall or winter. If you’re planting a bare-root tree, however, it can be done any time of year.
Planting Fruit Trees
The type of fruit tree affects how it’s planted. Apple and pear trees need the sun to grow fruit. The optimal period to plant apple or pear trees is April through June.
In contrast, stone fruits such as plums, cherries, and peaches require a slightly different approach to planting. These types of fruit trees should be planted at least 4 feet apart from each other so that they have room to grow. Stone fruits also need a sunny location with good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases from developing over time.
Maintenance Schedule
Pruning keeps the tree’s shape, structure, and form. This increases tree fruit. It makes harvesting fruit easier by reducing the time spent picking it off the ground or reaching into out-of-reach branches. A second reason for pruning trees is to improve their health by removing dead wood, fixing broken branches, and reducing their size if it has become too large for their surroundings or the space available in your garden.
Fruit Tree Pruning
Proper fruit tree pruning is essential to maintaining healthy trees and a bountiful harvest. The goal of pruning is to maintain the health and vigor of the tree, improve the tree’s appearance, and control the size of the crop. Late winter or early spring, before new growth appears, is the ideal time for pruning. Remove crossing or rubbing branches (trees will grow toward each other if their branches touch).
- Thin out low-growing branches that could damage buildings or gardens.
- Determine which varieties produce best for your area and space them evenly throughout your planting area so that you can get maximum benefits from cross-pollination.
- Pruning trains and shapes trees. It entails removing dead or diseased wood and trimming back branches. For high-quality fruit, fruit trees need regular pruning.
- Pruning removes branches that are growing in the incorrect direction or are overloading the structure with development.
- Fruit tree growers prune to manage size, promote new fruiting spurs (for greater yield), reduce disease spread, and allow harvesting and pest control.
Tree Fertilization – When?
In the spring and mid-summer, you should fertilize only when the tree is actively growing. This will help it develop strong roots and a good structure for bearing fruit.
A balanced fertilizer is best. Fertilizing at other times of the year can lead to a buildup of salts in your soil that can harm your trees. It’s crucial not to overdo it with fertilizer, or you risk burning your plants’ roots.
If you’re unsure how much fertilizer to use, it’s best to reach out to Elite Tree Care, Los Angeles.
Tree Treatments – Pest And Disease
Diseases and pests are hard to spot. Unknowingly, your tree may be diseased. Check trees for disease and pests regularly. If you have questions regarding your trees’ health during or after an examination feel free to call.
The signs of a healthy tree include:
- A strong trunk with no dead branches.
- Healthy leaves that are green, shiny, and dense (or thin)
- No evidence of insects – check branches for webs between leaves or holes in bark where insects could be hiding
Watering
Watering is essential to fruit tree survival. The best time to water is in the morning when the plant can use it most efficiently. Water well, but not too much; if you overwater, the excess moisture will just run off and not be absorbed by roots or leaves. You should check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the top of the soil about an inch deep (up to a half-inch) and checking for dampness. If it feels dry at all, it’s a good idea to water that day.
In summary, we recommend that you plant your fruit trees in a sunny location with good air circulation and water. For more information on fruit tree planting services, reach out to Elite Tree Care, Los Angeles.
