Planting new trees

[SuzzieP]

Ive bought some family tree's, namely a quad plum/guage and a quad russet, along with a cherry. Not sure what root stock on the plum but the russet is on an M26 and the cherry on Gisela 5.

Question is how is it best to plant these? ie what, (if any), fertilizer should be placed round the root at time of planting etc etc.

Ta!

[Mugsy]

It might be slightly controversial to traditional views, but there is a good case for adding absolutely nothing, just dig a good sized hole and loosen the soil, breaking up any pan and plant them back in with the same soil, that way they have to get used to the native soil that they will spend the rest of their lives in.
You can then add any amount of mulch from the top that the worms will slowly take down and improve the soil over a longer period. If you create a highly fertile enriched little hole in which to plant them the shock of the difference between that and the surrounding soil can sometimes discourage them from spreading their roots outwards.
My apples all seem to be fine in our boring old clay with nothing added at all.

[solway cropper]

I'd probably agree with Mugsy but it depends on when you plant them. In winter when the trees are fully dormant any nutrients are likely to be leached out before they can be used. I planted a pot-grown apple about a month ago and added just a little blood, fish and bone meal mixed with soil from the hole. Hopefully it will be able to use that before it goes to sleep for the winter.

[FB.]

There are several ideas on planting new trees and whether or how much to fertilise.
More important than fertilising is to ensure that the tree is watered well during it's first season or two; roots will not grow into dry soil, but they will rapidly grow into moist soil. Roots will also dislike moving from a very rich soil to a less-nutritious soil.

Personally, I would mix a small amount of compost into the soil from the planting hole. Maybe 1 part in 3 if it's shop-bought compost and about 1 part in 5 if it's home-made compost. Mix it evenly. Water heavily immediately after planting because the water will drive out air pockets (roots won't grow in air pockets). The soil level will likely drop a few inches and the tree may lean. But better to find out sooner than later!

I would add an inch layer of compost on the surface after planting; it'll help to keep in moisture and will slowly wash into the ground during the growing season.

Some people advocate excavating a very large hole (about 5ft wide nd 2ft deep) and filling with the compost/soil mixture, to allow the roots to rapidly spread into nutritious soil.

..and some people advocate just planting the tree into the ground and let the tree fend for itself. That may be OK on good soils, but on poor soils, the tree may take a long time to get going - not least because a lot of it's roots get ripped off and dry out when a tree is "bare root" - meaning a very stressed tree.

[SuzzieP]

Thanks peeps, most interesting! Ive done a soil test and its basically neutral PH, but low on nitrogen, potash and sulphates which can be rectified I guess.

Last question is all the trees are one year olds, so do I need to fleece them over winter?

[FB.]

No winter protection is necessary.

[SuzzieP]

Thanks for the info. Tree's are now in the ground!

[northepaul]

Good luck! I have some trees coming soon...its exciting isnt it?

[Brengirl]

Good luck! I have some trees coming soon...its exciting isnt it?

Got mine today. My local nursery got me a Merryweather/pixie/2 year old bare root. £15.00. Collected it today. They recommended rose and shrub compost for container grown. So, tomorrow, I will have a damson tree in my garden.

[northepaul]

Got mine today. My local nursery got me a Merryweather/pixie/2 year old bare root. £15.00. Collected it today. They recommended rose and shrub compost for container grown. So, tomorrow, I will have a damson tree in my garden.

Thats so cool, I am still waiting for mine hope they arrive soon

[Brengirl]

Thats so cool, I am still waiting for mine hope they arrive soon

1lb Homemade Damson Jam........£10.00.........bidders welcome

[sarraceniac]

1lb Homemade Damson Jam........£10.00.........bidders welcome

Not such a joke. They do charge about £2 a lb at my local car boot. Bit steep I think. I can do a pint of damson gin for not much more.

[northepaul]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brengirl
1lb Homemade Damson Jam........£10.00.........bidders welcome

Not such a joke. They do charge about £2 a lb at my local car boot. Bit steep I think. I can do a pint of damson gin for not much more.
__________________

Well its not bad, esp if you dont have access to a damson tree (yet anyway) Our local allotment society sell Jam for £2 a jar, and its much nicer than shop bought. Gooseberry and currant is the nicest!

Although Damson jam...nothing quite like it...