How to plant a tree?

If you have decided the tree you want to plant and the right spot for that tree, you are ready to plant it. Special care must be taken while taking the plant from nursery to home. Try to place the tree in the standing position if it is in a pot so that it reaches home safely. Now when the tree reaches your home safe and sound, the process of planting it begins.

First of all, have a look at the bundle of roots of your plant. This will help you understand the width and depth of the hole. Dig a hole twice as wide as the bundle of roots and a little more deep than that. More space in the hole is left to add extra soil at the end. Well taking it positively, the extra space in hole is left to put back the soil which you dug out as you will find that extra soil useless at the end.

Smooth the hole with a layer of fertilizer or any compost after you are done with digging the hole. Now you are going to put the tree in the hole carefully. Do not forget to spread out the roots evenly as it will help fruit tree to be strong and steady. Now fill the extra soil in the hole without leaving any space. Use all the extra soil to fill the hole, even if the hole is already filled. It is better to fill the hole even higher to the ground level than leaving dirt on the floor. This is because the level will be surfaced later when you water your tree.

You are going to dense the soil now but before that check if the tree is vertical or not. Remember if the tree is not vertical, it may eventually fall down. If you feel that the stem of the tree is not completely straight, tie it by stakes with the help of rope so that it may not bend later. But also make certain that you do not tie the stem tightly as it may affect the tree’s growth. This will help the stem to be straight in few weeks. Once it is sturdy and able to bear any weather, you can remove the stakes.

Now mulching must be done around the bottom of the tree. Protection of your tree is another big task especially if you live near some forest. Put a fence around your tree to save it from animals. Your fruit tree will start to give fruits in 3 to 4 years. Sometimes the fruit tree gives that much fruit to bend down the stems with heavy weight. To avoid such situation, you must pick out some fruit after some time to lighten the burden. If the burden of the fruits is more than a stem can carry, it will break down.

Your fruit tree might not bear sufficient fruit some year, but this is normal. Trees are known to take some holidays when they love to produce no or very less fruit. Fruit trees might also be attacked by pests but this is controllable. Move away any dead leaves or any decaying material from the tree otherwise they will attract pests to them and to the tree finally.

Pruning your fruit tree in winter and spring is another major step to keep your tree healthy. If it is hot and dry, water the tree twice every week. Do not hit your tree with a lawn mower or weed eater not even by accident as this will damage the tree’s growth badly. The accurate amount of water and sunlight is the key to get a healthy fruit tree.