How do i take care of my apple tree ?

Jella
by Jella
how do i take care of my little apple tree ? i was told to get apple tree 'food'. fertilizer. apply in fall. please advise ! thanks

  4 answers
  • PJ Wise PJ Wise on Oct 06, 2017

    http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-young-fruit-trees-55219.html


    How to Take Care of Young Fruit Trees


    Keep your fruit trees healthy and productive.

    Growing backyard fruit trees ranks as one of the most popular gardening pastimes in America. It lets you pick and choose your favorite kind of fruit from the hundreds of varieties available, and gives you full control over how your food is raised. While specific care guidelines vary widely depending on the exact kind of fruit tree you're raising, several general strategies and tips can help you successfully care for any young fruit tree after you've planted it in your yard.


    1 Water young fruit tree once every other week. Most fruit trees require that you apply enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 3 to 4 feet. This is the depth at which most fruit trees extend their roots.

    2 Fertilize your young fruit tree once every year, applying fertilizer in the spring before the tree starts producing new growth. In its first year, use 1/10 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer, then increase by 1/10 pound every year thereafter. Spread the fertilizer in a band around the fruit tree, approximately 2 feet from the tree's trunk. Water immediately after fertilization to help carry the fertilizer's nutrients down to your fruit tree's roots.

    3 Trim your young fruit tree with pruning shears. Immediately after planting it, cut the top of the tree off at approximately 3 feet of height. In the first summer after you've planted it, identify four uniformly spaced-apart branches on its trunk and remove all other branches or sprouts. In every winter thereafter, trim back new growth when the tree is dormant. The amount of new growth that needs trimming varies significantly by fruit variety. For example, an apple tree needs less than a quarter of its new growth removed while nectarines need half of all its new growth cut. Consult your local cooperative extension service for fruit-specific guidelines.

    4 Keep your young fruit tree pest- and disease-free using preventive orchard care. Weed regularly, because weeds often harbor pests and disease while stealing soil nutrients and water. Additionally, always pickup and discard any fallen fruit, rake and remove fallen weeds often, and trim off any dead branches as those often attract rot-related diseases.

    5 Treat the fruit tree if pests or disease occur. There are dozens of such potential problems, depending on your region and the type of fruit you have. In most cases, a standard 50 percent concentration copper spray, available in most garden stores and nurseries, resolves most common fruit tree diseases. Meanwhile, insecticidal soap treats most common pests like aphids and mites. Apply such products according to their manufacturer-specific guidelines, as toxicity varies widely by product.

    Things You Will Need

    • 10-10-10 garden fertilizer
    • Pruning shears
    • Copper spray (optional)

    Insecticidal soap (optional)

    • Jella Jella on Oct 07, 2017

      wow! thank you for all the info. i will certainly do all of it. I want to plant a peach & a pear tree too. wish i could send you some fruit !

  • PJ Wise PJ Wise on Oct 07, 2017

    You're so welcome, Jella. Are you aware some of fruit trees require cross-pollination in order to produce fruit. Be sure when you look at other trees to find out if you need a second tree. Also, some fruit trees don't bear every year. Look at the above website I referred to, and submit questions. It's a great informational site!

    • Jella Jella on Oct 07, 2017

      cross pollination ? should i get a 'friend' for the little tree ? 😕i have no idea if my tree is a girl or guy. how do u tell