Xtremehorticulture

Multiple Trees Together Better Choice Than Multi-Budded Trees

Q. I lost two fruit trees this winter because of an irrigation problem. I would like to replace them with 4-in-1 pluot and plum tree. I’m hoping it’s not too late to plant. Two-in-one hole fruit trees…one Santa Rosa plum and pluot by reader.  A. It is not too late to plant fruit trees in containers but it is too late to plant them bare root or sold in packages. I am not a big fan of fruit trees that have more than one variety on the same tree. In a few years the more aggressive varieties dominate and kill the weaker varieties. In a very short time the tree is dominated by one or two varieties instead of four. I prefer separate trees planted very close to each other and managed as one tree. I would plant these trees about 12 to 18 inches apart; one on the east side of a large hole and the other on the west. In the case of pluots and plum, the plum tree should be a Santa Rosa which is a good pollinator for pluots. Pluots are self-pollinating in our climate but having a Santa Rosa plum tree close may help with fruit set and increase yield. Two rules should be followed when planting trees close together; never let them grow back into each other and keep them both pruned and trained to the same size.

Multiple Trees Together Better Choice Than Multi-Budded Trees Read More »

Eight Fruit Trees in a 10ft x 10 ft Space

Q. I have an easement in the backyard where I cannot plant trees. I have decided to plant as much as possible in the space I have left which is about an area 10×10. I would like to plant fruit trees in a high density there and keep the trees small for easier picking.   Multiple trees in a single hole about 18 inches apart. This provides a sequential harvest of fruit from different varieties at different times of the year. A. I would really caution you on a high density mini orchard unless you are truly committed to it. It will take more time and effort and require gaining some extra knowledge if you commit to any intensive gardening technique. If you are willing to spend a bit more time and effort (not a lot but the extra time is critical) then give it a shot.             A 10×10 area is quite limiting but you could still probably get about 8 trees in there with a combination of multiple trees in a single hole and trellising them. You might consider planting fruit trees in a hedge with no space between the trees and letting them grow together. Apples trellised along a fence on trellis wires about one foot from the fence and shade cloth protecting it from direct sunlight from the south side of the fence.             I personally wouldn’t plant any trees closer than about six to eight feet apart for a hedge or trellis. If you use apples or pears try to make sure they are on dwarfing rootstocks such as M111 for apples and OHxF333 for European pears.             There really is no true dwarfing rootstocks for the stone fruits like peach, apricot or nectarine but the Citation rootstock may give you a little. These stone fruits are normally planted full size and kept small through aggressive winter and summer pruning.             Another possibility instead of a hedgerow is trellising and I prefer it over hedging for small spacing. Trellising costs more because you have to construct the trellis but gives you more control of the plant and helps you keep it smaller.

Eight Fruit Trees in a 10ft x 10 ft Space Read More »

Planting Two Cherries in a Single Hole to Save Space and Pollination

Q. I have two cherry trees and one needs to pollinate the other. Can I plant both trees in the same hole so save space?  The trees grow to 20 feet and I will keep them pruned to a smaller size. Sweet cherries produced at the Orchard. Production is erratic in the Las Vegas Valley.   A. Yes, you can. Plant them about 18 inches apart, one on the east side and one on the west side of the hole. Try to pick varieties that are similar in vigor (how strong they grow) and on the same variety of rootstock. Multiple apple trees planted in a single hole at Dave Wilson Nursery             I will warn you that sweet cherries are squirrely in our hot desert environment. They produce cherries in some microenvironments and not in others. They usually seem to do better in backyards that are somewhat protected (no strong winds) and have a more humid environment during pollination.             If you plant these two trees together, keep them occupying only half of the canopy. Do not let them compete with each other but keep them occupy their own, separate spaces. This means there will be a clear physical separation between the plants in their own half circle of canopy space. Also, do not let one get bigger than the other. Keep them pruned to a similar size.             These cherries must also bloom at the same time if they are to pollinate one another. Check your pollination charts to make sure they are compatible.

Planting Two Cherries in a Single Hole to Save Space and Pollination Read More »