How to Plant Bare Root Fruit Trees for a bountiful harvest

Planting bare root fruit trees can seem daunting to a beginner gardener, but it’s easier than you think! With the right preparation and care, bare root trees produce robust, abundant fruit harvests for years to come. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through each step of properly planting and caring for bare root fruit trees to set them up for success.

What are bare root fruit trees?

Bare root fruit trees are dormant young trees that are dug up and sold without any soil or growing medium around their roots. This allows for easier transport and reduced shipping costs. Bare root trees are sold when they are dormant usually in late winter or early spring. When the trees break dormancy and leaf out after planting their roots establish quickly in the native soil.

Compared to container grown trees bare root trees develop stronger root systems because their roots don’t get root bound in pots. They also experience less transplant shock when planted. Common types of bare root fruit trees include apple, pear, peach plum, cherry and apricot.

When to plant bare root fruit trees

The ideal time for planting bare root fruit trees is during dormancy, before they leaf out – late winter or early spring depending on your climate. Avoid planting in the heat of summer or after trees have broken dormancy. If you need to delay planting bare root trees for a couple weeks after receiving them, you canheel them into a temporary nursery bed until ready to plant.

How to plant bare root fruit trees

Follow these steps for successfully planting bare root fruit trees:

Step 1: Soak roots

Upon receiving bare root trees, unpack them immediately and soak the roots in water for 8-12 hours before planting Keep them out of direct sun and wind while soaking This rehydrates the roots and helps them recover from transport.

Step 2: Prepare planting hole

Dig a planting hole that is twice as wide as the root system but only as deep as the root ball. The hole should have sloping sides to encourage horizontal root growth. Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the excavated native soil to improve its texture and nutrients.

Step 3. Prune roots and branches

Prune any damaged roots back to healthy wood and trim any long unruly roots. Also head back top growth to 24-30 inches tall and remove any narrow crotches to open up the branching structure.

Step 4. Plant tree

Mound the prepared soil mix in the bottom of the hole and spread roots out over mound. The graft union should be 2-3 inches above ground level. Cover roots with more of the soil mix, tamping it down gently to remove air pockets. Do not add soil amendments directly in the planting hole.

Step 5: Water and mulch

Water thoroughly after planting to soak entire root zone. Then spread 3-4 inches of organic mulch around base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. The mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.

Step 6: Stake

Stake the tree for support the first year, loosely tying the trunk to allow some movement. Remove stake after one year once tree is established.

Caring for newly planted bare root trees

Proper care after planting ensures your bare root fruit trees get off to a vigorous start:

• Water regularly – During the first year, water thoroughly every 7-10 days if rainfall is lacking. Slow deep watering encourages deep root establishment.

• Control weeds & grass– Keep area around tree weed and grass-free to eliminate competition for water and nutrients.

• Fertilize lightly– Apply a balanced organic fruit tree fertilizer per label directions in early spring after planting. Too much nitrogen can lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.

• Prune lightly– In subsequent dormant seasons, prune to shape tree and improve branching structure. Let tree gain some size before heavy pruning.

• Protect from pests – Monitor for pests and diseases and use organic treatments promptly when issues arise. Preventative spraying with organic dormant oil and/or lime sulfur helps suppress overwintering pests.

• Prevent damage– Protect young bark from sunscald and mechanical damage. Rodent guards also help protect against trunk chewing.

Benefits of bare root fruit trees

Here are some key reasons gardeners love planting bare root fruit trees:

• Less expensive than container grown trees

• Develop stronger root systems without circling or girdling roots

• Experience less transplant shock

• Wider variety of fruit trees available as bare root vs potted

• Can be planted while dormant before leaves emerge

• Produce fruit sooner than container trees

Tips for success with bare root fruit trees

Follow these tips when planting and caring for bare root trees:

• Select trees suited to your climate and chill hours

• Prepare soil ahead of time with compost & nutrients

• Water thoroughly after planting and mulch well

• Stake trees for support the first year

• Control grass & weeds around trees

• Train trees while young to promote good structure

• Thin fruit to avoid over-cropping and maintain vigor

• Stay on top of pest and disease management

• Avoid excess nitrogen fertilization which can inhibit fruiting

• Be patient – most trees start bearing fruit 2-4 years after planting

Planting bare root fruit trees takes some preparation and follow up care, but the rewards of homegrown fruit are well worth the effort. With the right planting techniques and proper care, your bare root trees will flourish for years of abundant harvests. The keys are giving them a good start, training them while young, and maintaining them organically. In no time, you’ll be plucking ripe, juicy fruit straight from your own trees!