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Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Start here - guide to planting fruit trees

This page summarises all the information on our website which will help you to plant and care for your new fruit trees.

  1. Most fruit trees benefit from being supported at the time of planting, so start by deciding if your tree will need a post or stake - tree support advice here.
  2. Once you know if your trees need support, you are now ready to plant your new trees - planting instructions here.
  3. After planting, make sure you apply a mulch around the base of the tree, it is one of the best things you can do to help the tree get established, as it keeps weeds away and helps retain moisture.
  4. If you have rabbits or other rodents or deer in the vicinity you must protect your new trees immediately. These animals will strip the bark from young fruit trees and the trees will then die. The best protection in mosts situations is chicken wire, as it allows air flow around the tree. The forestry-type spiral or tube guards can be used on a temporary basis but they create an unhealthy microclimate around the graft union in the longer term.
  5. Most trees will require a one-time initial pruning straight after planting. This is important - if it is not carried out the new tree will not grow properly. See our pruning instructions for more details.
  6. Bare-root trees should be planted immediately. If this is not possible they can be heeled-in.
  7. Never keep fruit trees indoors in a heated house.
  8. During the first spring and summer after planting pay particular attention to watering your fruit trees - watering advice here.

 

If you don't have time to read the full instructions, here's the short version:

Plant the tree. Cut it back to about 36" - 40". Put chicken wire around it to protect it from animals. Keep it watered over the spring and summer - at least weekly, and possibly daily in hot dry conditions.