Dip Your Roots

No root should ever go into the soil dry.

If you haven't already, be sure to check the contents of your package & quickly dip the roots of your trees in a bucket of water.

Fruit trees perform best when planted in:

- Full sun

- Well-drained soil

- Sheltered from strong winds

- With enough space for mature growth

When preparing the planting hole, you want to make sure its large enough to allow the roots to spread naturally, without the roots being squished or wrapping around. Be sure to remove sod, weeds, & any potential competition for your tree.

In exposed areas, staking can help protect young trees from wind damage while roots establish. Once you've dug your hole, pound the stake in before you plant your tree.

Sometimes you'll find you have a very long root. Rather than have it wrap around & squish the roots, you can prune your roots lightly. Be sure to watch our video above for more advice on trimming roots.

The hole should be deep enough so the tree sits at the same depth it grew in the nursery.

Place the tree upright in the hole and ensure the graft (the slight bulge on the trunk) remains above ground level.

Adding compost or manure is optional but gives your trees and extra boost of nutrients. Be sure to use well-rotted manure that's matured for at least one year. We prefer Gee-up, an organic, rotted manure that's perfect for fruit trees.

Cover your roots back in with soil and firm the tree in with your heel. If you gently pull up on the tree as you firm in with your foot, this allows the roots to splay out & create better growth.

Once your tree is firmly in the ground, you can tie your tree to the stake for support. This will help your tree survive storms & high winds in its first few years until its root system is more established.

Whenever possible, we recommend mulching your fruit trees. This helps with weed suppression as well as water retention. It also adds a little layer of insulation in cold weather.

Don't forget to water in your fruit tree. Especially if there's a dry spell, you'll need to continue watering your young fruit tree regularly.

If deer, rabbits, or hares are a problem in your area, then you will need protection for your young trees. Tree guards or rabbit spirals protect young trees from potential damage.

Pears & apples respond well to pruning. Most of our fruit trees are pre-pruned before they're delivered out to you. In case your tree isn't pruned, you can prune it towards an outward facing bud, reducing the branch length by about a half.

It’s important to remember that stone fruits (cherries, peaches, & plums) are different than apples & pears, and should be pruned in the spring when young and only in summer when established. Dry weather is best as this will reduce the risk of infection from silverleaf (a fungal disease) or bacterial canker.

As part of the ongoing care for your young fruit tree, we recommend:

- Weeding regularly

- Watering in dry weather

- Refirming after storms & winds

- Checking ties & stakes regularly