Planting fruit trees

Planting and first-year care

Give your fruit tree the best possible start

Bare-root fruit trees establish well when their roots remain fresh, they are planted correctly and they receive careful attention during the first growing season.

The most important points are simple: protect the roots before planting, prepare the soil properly, keep the graft union above soil level, water thoroughly, control competing grass and weeds, and protect the young tree from wind and animals.

A well-planted tree can still fail if it is neglected during its first spring and summer. Good aftercare is just as important as the planting itself.

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Three essentials

1. Keep the roots protected
Do not leave bare roots exposed to sun or wind.

2. Plant into prepared soil
Spread the roots naturally and keep the graft union above ground.

3. Care for the tree after planting
Water, weed, stake and protect throughout the first year.

Before planting: keep bare roots fresh

Bare-root trees should ideally be planted as soon as possible after delivery. Until they are in the ground, their roots must remain protected from drying, wind, sun and severe frost.

Plant promptly

Open the parcel soon after delivery and check the trees. If the ground is workable and conditions are suitable, plant without unnecessary delay.

If planting must be delayed

Keep the trees in a cool, unheated place and protect the roots with moist soil or compost. For longer delays, heel them into the ground.

Never store in a heated room

Warm indoor conditions can cause the buds to begin growing before the roots are planted, while dry air can damage the fine roots.

Prepare the planting area in advance

Loosen and improve the wider planting area before the trees arrive whenever possible. This is particularly important in compacted ground or where grass has been growing for a long time.

Do not dig the final planting hole too far in advance. An open hole can fill with water, collapse or become compacted before planting.

Choose and prepare the right position

The planting site must suit the fruit species, rootstock and eventual size of the tree. Consider light, drainage, exposure to wind, soil type and the space available.

Remove perennial weeds and loosen compacted soil over a broad area. A wide area of workable soil is more useful than a narrow hole filled with rich compost.

Do not place fresh manure, concentrated fertiliser or large quantities of compost directly around bare roots. This can damage the roots or create an unnatural pocket that retains too much water.

Planting a bare-root fruit tree step by step

Work carefully rather than quickly. The aim is to place the roots naturally, maintain the correct planting depth and bring fine soil into good contact with the root system.

1

Rehydrate briefly

Just before planting, the roots may be placed in clean water for around one to two hours. Do not leave them immersed for a prolonged period.

2

Dig a wide hole

Make the hole wide enough for the roots to spread naturally without bending or circling. A wide hole is usually more useful than an excessively deep one.

3

Check the depth

Position the tree so that the graft union remains clearly above the final soil level. Do not bury the graft union.

4

Spread the roots naturally

Trim only broken or badly damaged root ends. Arrange the remaining roots without forcing them into a small space.

5

Backfill carefully

Return fine soil around the roots, gently shaking the tree so that soil settles between them. Firm the soil without compacting it excessively.

6

Water thoroughly

Apply at least one full bucket of water after planting, even when the soil appears moist. This settles the soil around the roots.

Stake the tree when necessary

Most young fruit trees benefit from support at planting, especially trees on dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks, taller forms and trees planted in exposed positions.

Use a strong stake and a soft tie that will not cut into the bark. Check the tie regularly as the trunk grows.

One-year maiden trees on very vigorous seedling or standard rootstocks may not always require permanent support, but their position and exposure must still be considered.

Pruning after planting

One-year maiden fruit trees usually benefit from being headed back after planting. This balances the top of the tree with the reduced root system and encourages new shoots to develop during spring.

In many cases, we will already have shortened the tree to suit its future training and the shipping carton. Do not make further heavy cuts unless the intended form of the tree requires them or we have advised you to do so.

Mulch, weed control and animal protection

Apply an organic mulch around the base of the tree after planting. Mulch helps retain moisture, reduces weed competition and protects the soil surface.

Keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk and graft union. Mulch piled directly against the bark can encourage excess moisture, rodents and damage at the base of the tree.

If rabbits, hares, deer, rodents, livestock or pets are present, protect the tree immediately. Young bark can be stripped in a single night.

Wire mesh guards provide good ventilation and durable protection. Spiral or tube guards can be useful temporarily, but they should be checked regularly because they may create a humid microclimate and shelter insects.

Keep the ground clear

Maintain a weed-free area around the trunk during the first growing season. Grass competes strongly with a newly planted tree for water and nutrients.

Protect the trunk

Avoid damage from mowers, strimmers, tools, stakes and ties. Mechanical injury around the lower trunk can kill a young tree.

Check regularly

Inspect ties, guards, mulch and soil moisture throughout spring and summer.

The first spring and summer are critical

A newly planted tree has only a limited root system and cannot explore the soil as effectively as an established tree. Watering and weed control during the first year often determine whether it establishes successfully.

Water deeply

Water thoroughly during dry periods so that moisture reaches the root zone. Frequent light sprinkling is less useful than a deeper, well-spaced watering.

Remove competition

Keep grass and weeds away from the base of the tree. A clean area of at least 50 cm around the trunk is recommended, and wider is better for young trees.

Watch the tree

Check budbreak, shoot growth, soil moisture, ties, guards and signs of animal or mechanical damage. Early action can prevent a minor problem becoming irreversible.

First-year checklist

At planting

Protect the roots, plant at the correct depth, water thoroughly, stake and install animal guards where necessary.

In spring

Watch for budbreak, maintain a weed-free area, water during dry weather and check all ties and guards.

In summer

Continue deep watering when needed, control grass and weeds, and watch for drought stress or animal damage.

In autumn

Check the season’s growth, renew mulch if required and make sure protection remains suitable for winter.

Our commitment after planting

Tree Establishment Guarantee

Following the guidance on this page gives your tree the best chance of establishing and forms part of the conditions of our Tree Establishment Guarantee.

If a tree fails to establish despite prompt unpacking, correct planting and suitable care, please contact us so that we can assess the situation. When the claim meets the conditions of the guarantee, we will offer an appropriate replacement solution.

When the failure results from the planting conditions or aftercare, we still want your project to succeed and offer a 30% discount on the purchase of a replacement tree.

Please contact us before lifting, heavily pruning or disposing of the tree.

Read the guarantee

Concerned about a tree?

Contact us as soon as possible and send:

  • your order number;
  • photographs of the whole tree;
  • a photograph of the base and graft union;
  • a view of the planting area;
  • details of watering and aftercare.

We would rather receive a false alarm than hear about a correctable problem too late.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving bare roots exposed

Even a short period in sun or drying wind can damage fine roots. Keep the roots covered until the moment of planting.

Leaving the roots in water for too long

A brief soak before planting is useful. Prolonged immersion can deprive the roots of oxygen and damage them.

Planting too deeply

The graft union must remain above the final soil level. Do not bury the trunk or graft union.

Adding strong fertiliser to the planting hole

Fresh manure and concentrated fertiliser can injure bare roots. Establishment depends first on root freshness, correct planting, water and weed control.

Allowing grass to grow around the tree

Grass is a major competitor for water. Keep a clear area around the trunk during the first year.

Waiting too long before asking for advice

Contact us as soon as a problem appears. Some difficulties can be corrected early but become irreversible if left until late spring or summer.

Need help before or after planting?

Contact us before taking action

Tell us about your soil, climate, planting conditions and the tree concerned. Early advice can prevent many establishment problems.

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