How to Find the Right Tree

When choosing a tree from your local nursery, it's most important to look carefully at its features. Trees are commonly sold as 'bare root', meaning the roots are exposed, and the young tree is 3' to 6' tall.

Straight and strong stem - Fruit trees do best when they grow straight. A slight lean in a young tree, if left unstaked, will develop into a large lean when mature and laden with fruit. The tree is susceptible to blowdown from wind, or can fall under its own unbalanced weight.

Well balanced branches - Look for the 'candelabra' shape with branches extending evenly in all directions. This even growth will keep the tree balanced and growing straight, as well as maximizing fruit yield.

Avoid low branches - Branches should be starting from the same general area along the tree stem. Avoid trees with one lone branch, low down. This is out of balance, and low-lying fruit encourages pests like raccoons. Low branches also get in the way of lawn care beneath the tree. You don't want your tree to start branching too low - it will be hard to walk under when harvesting, and it encourages pests.

Lots of Healthy Roots - Roots should be well protected and kept damp. Avoid trees with roots exposed too long in the sun or damaged in any way.

How to Plant Your Fruit Tree

An important consideration when choosing where to plant a fruit tree is soil drainage. Fruit trees will not thrive in soil that drains too slowly. You can test for drainage by digging a hole about l fot. (30 cm) deep and filling it with water. The hole should drain within 3 hours.

Digging the hole - Go down about 18 in.(45 cm) and, with a pitchfork, fork the bottom and sides of the hole to loosen the soil.

Sprinkle some compost - on the bottom of the hole (about a double handful). Put some dirt back in the hole forming a mound in the center of the hole.

Put the tree into the hole - with the root ball on top of the mound. The graft line of the tree should be about 3 in.(7.5 cm) above the ground. Adjust the height of the mound if necessary. Spread the roots evebly in all directions.

Fill the hole - with soil and firm gently with your foot. Check that the tree is vertical. Be sure to 'overfill' the hole so the soil is an inch or two above ground level. The soil will compress when watered, and settle to ground level.

Stake the tree - with a rubber tie or piece of cloth. The tie should be loose so as not to girdle the tree. Allow plenty of room for the trunk to thicken.

Fence the tree - Deer will eat the bark of young trees, if given the opportunity.

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