Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. - Martin Luther

Fruit and nut bearing trees afford the same benefits as other trees. They provide beauty, shade in the summer, a nearby relief to carbon-based pollution, and proximity to nature. An important added benefit is the food they give us. As an orchardist you can derive the same satisfaction as gardeners who grow their own food - usually with less work. Because growing fruit is relatively inexpensive and easy, you will be providing security for yourself and your neighbors by removing the middlemen and eating locally grown food. Instead of eating apples trucked or flown from thousands of miles, you will be making a step towards sustainability. Although your fruit may not be as shiny as that on the supermarket shelf, you can take pleasure in knowing that it is chemical free and organically grown.

Planting your edible fruit trees

When to plant your edible fruit trees

Planting edible fruit trees should be done any time during the fall or early spring months.

Where to plant your edible fruit trees

An important consideration when choosing where to plant a fruit tree is soil drainage. Fruit trees will not thrive in soil that drains too slowly. You can test for drainage by digging a hole about l foot (30cm) deep and filling it with water. The hole should drain within 3 hours.

Sunlight, and plenty of it, is a key to increasing fruit production. Pick an area where the trees will be in the sun most or all of the day. The early morning sun is particularly important because it dries the dew from the leaves thereby reducing the incidence of diseases. If the planting site does not get plenty of sun, then you can't expect the best performance from the tree.

Although most edible fruit trees will grow well in a wide range of soil types, a deep soil ranging in texture from a sandy loam to a sandy clay loam is preferred.

Purchasing edible fruit trees

Listed below are a few points to keep in mind when purchasing edible fruit trees:

The preferred type of tree for planting is a healthy, 1-year-old whip that is approximately 4 to 6 feet tall and has a good root system.
A small tree with a good root system is more desirable than a large tree with a poor root system.
Trees that are two years old or older do not usually grow as well as 1-year-old trees. Frequently, older trees do not have sufficient buds on the lower portion of the trunk to develop a good framework.

Planting your edible fruit tree

1. Find your spot and dig the hole. Go down about 18" and loosen the bottom and sides of the hole with a pitchfork.

2. Optional: Sprinkle a little compost on the bottom of the hole.

3. Put some dirt back in the hole and mound it in the center.

4. Set the edible fruit tree in the hole with the root ball on top of the mound. The graft line of the tree should be about 3" above the ground. Adjust the height of the mound if necessary.

4. Spread roots evenly in all directions.

5. Fill hole with soil and tap gently with your foot. Check that the tree is vertical. The soil should be an inch or two above ground level. The soil will compress when you water it and settle to ground level.

6. Tie tree to stake if necessary - with a string or piece of cloth. The tie should not girdle the tree. Give enough room for the trunk to thicken.

7. This is very important: Mulch around the base of the tree with hay, bark or grass clippings. Leave 10" around the base of the tree free of mulch - otherwise you will invite the mice to live in there and nag your tree.

8. Fence if necessary - if you live in an area where a lots of deer are or if you have cows on the same pasture - they will eat the bark of your tree if given the opportunity.

9. Last but not least: Watering the new tree. That important to help get it started, especially in the first few weeks after planting. A good rule is to apply five gallons of water around the base of the tree every week of the growing season in which there is less than an inch of rainfall.

Those who have never devoted the time, energy, and care to create a food-producing garden will never know that sweet taste, while fruit gardeners around the world have grown to require it. There are countless types of edible products that one can produce in a garden environment and taking the time to learn more about them can yield a lifetime harvest of personal satisfaction.