Planting Fruit Trees: Prepare in the Fall to Plant in the Spring
As autumn settles in, now is the perfect time to prepare for planting fruit trees. While you may not be putting them in the ground just yet, the fall season is ideal for preparing your soil and planning your orchard.
Fall Preparation - Get it all Ready
1. Soil Testing: Begin by checking the pH of your soil. Most fruit trees thrive in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Adjusting the soil several months before planting will set a solid foundation for tree growth.
2. Choosing Varieties: Research which fruit trees are best suited for your family’s needs. You don’t want to plant what you won’t eat. For the complete fruit needs for a family of five, a selection might include:
- 5 to 8 semi-dwarf apples
- 5 to 8 peaches
- 5 to 8 plums
- 2 to 4 persimmons
- 3 to 5 pear trees
- 4 to 6 pecan trees
You likely won’t have the space or desire to plant this many trees, so select what you want the most, and what, after your research, you feel will do best in your situation.
Keep in mind that some varieties require pollinators. For instance, most apple varieties need cross-pollination, while pecans require both Type 1 and Type 2 trees for pollination. Plums, peaches, and nectarines are generally self-fruitful (no pollinator required), and pears require at least two different varieties for insect pollination.
3. Site Selection: Choose a suitable location for your trees. If planting on a slope, consider planting on the contour to prevent erosion. In a landscape setting, you can strategically place trees for aesthetic appeal, but remember to allow sufficient space for their growth. Recommended spacings include:
- Semi-dwarf apples: 15 to 25 feet apart
- Peaches and plums: 15 to 20 feet apart
- Pecans: 60 feet apart for older varieties, with smaller varieties planted closer
- Pears: 20 to 30 feet apart
Planting Guidelines
When it's time to plant, usually in late winter or early spring, follow these steps:
1. Dig the Hole: Use a shovel to create a wide, shallow hole. Do not use a post hole digger, as it can create an overly deep hole. The goal is to plant the tree at the same depth it grew in the nursery. Ensure the graft union remains above the soil line. Trees will die if the graft is underground.
2. Soil Backfill: Use native soil from the planting hole for backfilling. Amending the soil is unnecessary and could hinder the tree's growth. Make sure to create a small berm around the base to help manage water drainage.
3. Establish the First Set of Branches: For young trees, prune them to promote healthy growth. Cut peach, plum, and nectarine trees to about 20 to 25 inches, and apple and pear trees to 25 inches. This will help establish the first set of limbs.
4. Selecting Varieties for Your Region: Refer to local agricultural publications available free of charge from your local Extension Service. (for example, Google: “growing home apples in Tennessee Extension”) These Extension publications will tell you the best varieties to grow in your area and what diseases and pests you will need to deal with.
By planning in the fall, you can set the stage for a fruitful orchard that will benefit your family for years to come.
These are the publications Mike referred to:
Fruit Culture in Alabama: Training and Pruning Tree Fruits
Home Fruit Tree Plan
Fall Preparation - Get it all Ready
1. Soil Testing: Begin by checking the pH of your soil. Most fruit trees thrive in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Adjusting the soil several months before planting will set a solid foundation for tree growth.
2. Choosing Varieties: Research which fruit trees are best suited for your family’s needs. You don’t want to plant what you won’t eat. For the complete fruit needs for a family of five, a selection might include:
- 5 to 8 semi-dwarf apples
- 5 to 8 peaches
- 5 to 8 plums
- 2 to 4 persimmons
- 3 to 5 pear trees
- 4 to 6 pecan trees
You likely won’t have the space or desire to plant this many trees, so select what you want the most, and what, after your research, you feel will do best in your situation.
Keep in mind that some varieties require pollinators. For instance, most apple varieties need cross-pollination, while pecans require both Type 1 and Type 2 trees for pollination. Plums, peaches, and nectarines are generally self-fruitful (no pollinator required), and pears require at least two different varieties for insect pollination.
3. Site Selection: Choose a suitable location for your trees. If planting on a slope, consider planting on the contour to prevent erosion. In a landscape setting, you can strategically place trees for aesthetic appeal, but remember to allow sufficient space for their growth. Recommended spacings include:
- Semi-dwarf apples: 15 to 25 feet apart
- Peaches and plums: 15 to 20 feet apart
- Pecans: 60 feet apart for older varieties, with smaller varieties planted closer
- Pears: 20 to 30 feet apart
Planting Guidelines
When it's time to plant, usually in late winter or early spring, follow these steps:
1. Dig the Hole: Use a shovel to create a wide, shallow hole. Do not use a post hole digger, as it can create an overly deep hole. The goal is to plant the tree at the same depth it grew in the nursery. Ensure the graft union remains above the soil line. Trees will die if the graft is underground.
2. Soil Backfill: Use native soil from the planting hole for backfilling. Amending the soil is unnecessary and could hinder the tree's growth. Make sure to create a small berm around the base to help manage water drainage.
3. Establish the First Set of Branches: For young trees, prune them to promote healthy growth. Cut peach, plum, and nectarine trees to about 20 to 25 inches, and apple and pear trees to 25 inches. This will help establish the first set of limbs.
4. Selecting Varieties for Your Region: Refer to local agricultural publications available free of charge from your local Extension Service. (for example, Google: “growing home apples in Tennessee Extension”) These Extension publications will tell you the best varieties to grow in your area and what diseases and pests you will need to deal with.
By planning in the fall, you can set the stage for a fruitful orchard that will benefit your family for years to come.
These are the publications Mike referred to:
Fruit Culture in Alabama: Training and Pruning Tree Fruits
Home Fruit Tree Plan