Q. I’m looking to start a small backyard orchard of fruit
trees next year here in Las Vegas. I was thinking of about 10 – 12 trees using
the recommended varieties from your Xtremehorticulture blog. I am still in the planning stages and would
appreciate your recommendation on whether I should use bare root trees or
container trees.
trees next year here in Las Vegas. I was thinking of about 10 – 12 trees using
the recommended varieties from your Xtremehorticulture blog. I am still in the planning stages and would
appreciate your recommendation on whether I should use bare root trees or
container trees.
 |
| Bareroot fruit tree. Notice the “dogleg” on the trunk where the fruit variety was budded or “grafted” on to an appropriate rootstock. |
A. Bare root trees are only available during late winter
or early spring before the leaves emerge from the tree. Bare root trees are
typically small but establish very quickly if planted correctly. Directions for
planting fruit trees can be found on my blog by searching “how to plant fruit
trees” on the blog search engine.
There is
nothing wrong with planting container grown trees provided they have not
outgrown the container. If trees are grown for too long in the container before
planting, this can lead to future problems.
nothing wrong with planting container grown trees provided they have not
outgrown the container. If trees are grown for too long in the container before
planting, this can lead to future problems.
Rows of
the trees should run north and south so they don’t shade each other. However if
the trees are planted in a triangular pattern (trees in neighboring rows are
offset by half of their planting distance) rather than a square pattern (trees
are directly opposite each other in neighboring rows) it doesn’t make much
difference which direction the rows are running.
the trees should run north and south so they don’t shade each other. However if
the trees are planted in a triangular pattern (trees in neighboring rows are
offset by half of their planting distance) rather than a square pattern (trees
are directly opposite each other in neighboring rows) it doesn’t make much
difference which direction the rows are running.
The
distance between trees in the rows depends on how big you let them get. If you
elect to keep them small so that you eliminate ladders for pruning, spraying
and picking then you can plant most of them as close as 10 feet apart. If you
do elect to keep them smaller than this it will require more pruning effort on
your part.
distance between trees in the rows depends on how big you let them get. If you
elect to keep them small so that you eliminate ladders for pruning, spraying
and picking then you can plant most of them as close as 10 feet apart. If you
do elect to keep them smaller than this it will require more pruning effort on
your part.
Of
course winter pruning will provide you with fruit wood that you can use for
smoking or grilling or chip for surface wood mulch . No, this chipped wood will
not cause more insects or diseases.
course winter pruning will provide you with fruit wood that you can use for
smoking or grilling or chip for surface wood mulch . No, this chipped wood will
not cause more insects or diseases.
On
larger trees, like apples and pears, make sure you use some rootstocks that
help keep them smaller. The rootstocks on my recommended list will do that for
you. The distance between the rows should be no closer than 10 feet apart.
larger trees, like apples and pears, make sure you use some rootstocks that
help keep them smaller. The rootstocks on my recommended list will do that for
you. The distance between the rows should be no closer than 10 feet apart.
 |
| Semi or moderately intensive planting of apples on semi-dwarf rootstocks in the former soviet union. The distance between trees is relatively close but because they are using large scale tractors for spraying, cultivating and harvesting the distance between the rows (the picture is between rows) is still relatively large. This could be even more intensive (more $ per acre) if the rows were closer together. |
If you
want to get some small equipment down the rows then I would put the rows no
closer than 12 feet apart and you might even consider 14 feet if you are using
a small tractor or larger wagons for harvesting.
Make
sure you install your irrigation system and pre-dig your holes and amending the
soil there before you begin planting. Plant directly into amended soil and
thoroughly wet the soil with a hose several times after planting.
sure you install your irrigation system and pre-dig your holes and amending the
soil there before you begin planting. Plant directly into amended soil and
thoroughly wet the soil with a hose several times after planting.
Avoid
container trees which have been in the nursery for a long period of time. Any
of the nursery or garden centers will be a good place to purchase these plants
if they have been recently delivered there.
container trees which have been in the nursery for a long period of time. Any
of the nursery or garden centers will be a good place to purchase these plants
if they have been recently delivered there.
Buy
these trees just before you are ready to plant them. Don’t buy and keep them at
home for several days before planting. We all have good intentions but
frequently these trees get neglected. When bringing them home, find a shady
spot to put them until you are ready to plant. Do not keep them in the sun if
temperatures are very warm or hot.
these trees just before you are ready to plant them. Don’t buy and keep them at
home for several days before planting. We all have good intentions but
frequently these trees get neglected. When bringing them home, find a shady
spot to put them until you are ready to plant. Do not keep them in the sun if
temperatures are very warm or hot.
Check out Dave Wilson's youtube page as well for information. Last year they started a sample backyard test orchard. It is like a much smaller scale of the UNR orchard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4qpL5pDKd4
Reposted by Extrmehort from an email by Tom Spellman:
Bob, On the question of planting a new backyard orchard. Your only recommendations are staggered rows. Please consider recommending espalier, hedge style and natural style plantings throughout the landscape. Most people do not want their backyard orchard's to look like a farm style orchard. The great thing about BYOC is you can do anything you want with your backyard. Your only limitation is you. Be original, be creative and make your edible landscape everything you want for both ornamental appeal as well as fruit production. In most backyards a 10', 12", to 14' tree spacing is just more wasted space. Check out the DWN web-site for more ideas and information on BYOC.
Have a happy, healthy New Year and eat fresh tree ripe fruit every day.
Tom Spellman at Dave Wilson Nursery