How to Plant a Fruit Tree

A fruit tree is a wonderful addition to a landscape, adding beauty, shade, and a delicious snack for you. When planting a fruit tree, there are some very important steps to take to ensure that the tree lives and is healthy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Post hole digger
• Shovel
• Compost
• Mulch

1. Measure the depth and width of the tree's root ball. Using a posthole digger, dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball. Then, widen the hole to 3 times the width of the root ball with the shovel. When removing dirt from the hole, take care to separate the top soil from the subsoil.

2. Combine compost and top soil in equal amounts but don't add any fertilizer. Place your tree in the hole, taking care not to bend any of the roots. Gently scoop the compost and soil mixture around the root ball. When the hole is full, smooth the soil but don't let it touch the trunk at all. Add a few inches of mulch over the dirt.

3. Saturate the soil around the tree with water. Water the tree every other day for 2 weeks. If it gets a good rain, you may skip 1 day. During the next week, water the tree twice. Then, water it once per week until the tree is established. Once the tree is established, the rain that it gets should be sufficient unless you have a drought in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to water a new tree that you planted in an established lawn. It will have to compete with the grass for enough water.