Fruit Tree
Establishment
Establishment
During the first few weeks after planting, new roots must
grow from older roots and into the soil used for planting. Learn how to plant fruit trees here. The growth of new
roots from older roots and into the surrounding soil after planting is called fruit
tree establishment. New roots can
only grow from healthy, living roots. The smallest roots are fragile,
resembling hairs, and are called feeder
roots. See some feeder roots here. Feeder roots are responsible for most of the water and fertilizer
taken from the soil and transported to the leaves. Feeder roots do not survive
for more than a few minutes without soil, air and water surrounding them.
grow from older roots and into the soil used for planting. Learn how to plant fruit trees here. The growth of new
roots from older roots and into the surrounding soil after planting is called fruit
tree establishment. New roots can
only grow from healthy, living roots. The smallest roots are fragile,
resembling hairs, and are called feeder
roots. See some feeder roots here. Feeder roots are responsible for most of the water and fertilizer
taken from the soil and transported to the leaves. Feeder roots do not survive
for more than a few minutes without soil, air and water surrounding them.
During planting it is normal that feeder roots and some
of the larger roots will die. As the amount of time that roots are not in moist
soil increases, more roots and more roots begin to die. As more roots die, the
time needed for establishment increases and leaf and stem growth is delayed or
the tree may become damaged.
of the larger roots will die. As the amount of time that roots are not in moist
soil increases, more roots and more roots begin to die. As more roots die, the
time needed for establishment increases and leaf and stem growth is delayed or
the tree may become damaged.
More on transplant shock.
Still more on transplant shock.
Stop it, you’re killing me, even more!
Fruit tree establishment takes time after planting. Fruit
trees use energy stored in the roots for establishment. This same energy is
used by fruit trees to grow new leaves and stems. Energy must be shared between
the growth of the roots and growth of leaves and stems. The more energy needed
by roots for establishment means less energy is available for the growth of
leaves and stems.
trees use energy stored in the roots for establishment. This same energy is
used by fruit trees to grow new leaves and stems. Energy must be shared between
the growth of the roots and growth of leaves and stems. The more energy needed
by roots for establishment means less energy is available for the growth of
leaves and stems.
After planting, fruit trees favor root growth more than leaf
and stem growth. After the roots have grown significantly and can absorb enough
water and nutrients, leaf and stem growth become increasingly more vigorous.
Rapid and vigorous leaf and stem growth after planting is an indicator that
roots have become established in the soil. This observation is when the Orchard
manager can claim that the fruit tree has become established.
and stem growth. After the roots have grown significantly and can absorb enough
water and nutrients, leaf and stem growth become increasingly more vigorous.
Rapid and vigorous leaf and stem growth after planting is an indicator that
roots have become established in the soil. This observation is when the Orchard
manager can claim that the fruit tree has become established.
The time of day and weather conditions at planting time
also affects establishment. The ideal conditions for planting fruit trees is
early in the morning when temperatures are cool, the sky is cloudy and there is
very little wind. Warm temperatures, bright sunlight and strong winds are the
worst conditions for planting.
also affects establishment. The ideal conditions for planting fruit trees is
early in the morning when temperatures are cool, the sky is cloudy and there is
very little wind. Warm temperatures, bright sunlight and strong winds are the
worst conditions for planting.
Irrigation after
Planting
Planting
.JPG) |
| Drip irrigation on almonds. The first 2 to 3 years only requires one drip line. As they get older they will require two drip lines, one on either side of the tree. |
All fruit trees must be irrigated immediately after
planting. The reasons for this are several. When fruit trees are planted and
soil is placed around the roots by hand or with machinery, large spaces filled
with air are left in the soil surrounding the roots. If spaces in the soil are
too large to hold water, tree roots cannot grow into these spaces.
.JPG) |
| Micro sprinkler beneath fruit trees. |
.JPG) |
| Wetted area from a micro sprinkler on almonds. |
.JPG) |
| Sprinkler from Jain irrigation |
It is very important to collapse these spaces around the
roots of trees. This helps the tree to remain upright and the collapsed soil
surrounding the roots can more easily hold water. The easiest way to collapse
these spaces is through irrigation. Irrigating the soil around the roots helps to
collapse air spaces around the roots. After soil spaces have collapsed, roots can
grow into these spaces and take water and nutrients.
To maintain rapid growth after establishment, adequate
amounts of water is needed by the roots. Watering too frequently results in the
roots “drowning” or suffocating from a lack of air. Not watering frequently
enough results in roots dying from dehydration or a lack of water. The Orchard
manager must determine when to irrigate with observations of the soil, not the
tree. If the fruit tree shows signs that water is needed such as the dropping
of leaves or wilting, establishment will be slow.
amounts of water is needed by the roots. Watering too frequently results in the
roots “drowning” or suffocating from a lack of air. Not watering frequently
enough results in roots dying from dehydration or a lack of water. The Orchard
manager must determine when to irrigate with observations of the soil, not the
tree. If the fruit tree shows signs that water is needed such as the dropping
of leaves or wilting, establishment will be slow.
It is best to judge when to irrigate by observing the
soil. The ideal time for the second and following irrigations can be determined
easily by using a shovel, a sample of the soil and your hands. Use the shovel to
dig and remove a handful of soil at the depth of the roots close to a tree.
Squeeze the soil tightly with your hand. Lightly bounce the soil in your hand.
If the soil falls apart easily after bouncing, it is time to irrigate. Soils
that contain a lot of sand must be irrigated more often than soils which do
not. As the summer months approach, fruit trees real require irrigations more
often.
soil. The ideal time for the second and following irrigations can be determined
easily by using a shovel, a sample of the soil and your hands. Use the shovel to
dig and remove a handful of soil at the depth of the roots close to a tree.
Squeeze the soil tightly with your hand. Lightly bounce the soil in your hand.
If the soil falls apart easily after bouncing, it is time to irrigate. Soils
that contain a lot of sand must be irrigated more often than soils which do
not. As the summer months approach, fruit trees real require irrigations more
often.