henry d Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I need some advice on planting some fruit trees. There are 4 apple, 1 pear and 2 plum trees, they are being supplied bare rooted with stakes and ties and being planted in open ground. Should we use any muck/compost in the holes or are they better left just with the earth we removed ? I presume the time is right to plant them ? Any other care tips are welcome, many thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste12b Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I need some advice on planting some fruit trees. There are 4 apple, 1 pear and 2 plum trees, they are being supplied bare rooted with stakes and ties and being planted in open ground. Should we use any muck/compost in the holes or are they better left just with the earth we removed ? I presume the time is right to plant them ? Any other care tips are welcome, many thanks in advance. We always use compost in the hole to get them started, as our soil is poor. Time is perfect for planting them now. Make sure you protect them as ours get munched by the deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 And tie them to stakes - I know it's obvious. try not to damage the plum tree as they are succeptable to infection. Plus keep them well watered in the first year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Depends really on what your soil is like.If its poor quality clay then yes-a few shovels of compost/manure will help give it a kick start.If its good quality loam then just a few handfulls of poultry manure pellets will surfice. With regards to staking-dont do it too tight and allow the trees to rock slightly in the wind.What this does is encourage them to put out their roots far deeper than normal so to anchor themselves better and thus get established quicker.If its a windy site angle a short length of stake into the wind 2ft up the trunk then tie the tree to the stake still allowing for a little movement.Check for rubbing branches/straps etc as fruit trees are very susceptible to disease through torn bark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berties Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 All of the above but we put bone meal around the base and put a wax insect band on the trunk next year while they are young and when you prune seal the wounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonsterandmerlin. Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Henry the biggest mistake to do is either plant the tree deeper or too shallow . When you get the trees you will see the soil mark before it was removed this needs to be spot on when you plant them. Also if you use bonemeal be careful not to have the bare roots in direct contact with the bonemeal as it can burn the roots. A good old shovel of 6X is what I have used with good results . Cheers OTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Cheers guys, much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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