Planting Fruit Trees

Planting and care of  young trees is easy if a few ‘golden rules’ are followed.  The result should be bumper crops of delicious, home-grown fruit for many years to come, making D. T. Brown’s fruit trees a sound investment and great value for money.  And because our fruit trees are grafted onto semi-dwarfing rootstocks the trees remain a manageable height even when fully grow, making fruit picking easy too. 

D. T. Brown’s fruit trees are delivered ready for immediate planting.  Choose a site which is well-drained and does not become waterlogged, preferably somewhere which receives plenty of sunshine and away from larger or overhanging trees.  Ideally the soil should be well dug with plenty of well-rotted organic matter and a sprinkling of bonemeal included, if possible.  Top tip – soak the tree’s roots in a bucket of water for an hour or two before planting.  Add a little of D. T. Brown’s Plant Magic fertiliser to the water for the very best results.

Plant as soon as possible after receipt.  The trees should keep in good condition for a few days if left in a cool outhouse.  Dig a planting pit 6in wider than the spread of the tree’s roots and to a depth which allows the soil mark on the stem of the tree to be just covered.  Top tip – Ensure the graft union – the ‘knobble’ where the variety was grafted to the rootstock – is 6in above soil level when planting is complete.  If the tree is to be staked, the stake should be in place before the tree is planted.  Top tip – a pair of ladies tights tied round the tree and the stake makes an ideal tree tie and buffer.

During its first year the tree should be kept watered in hot and dry weather.  Weeds – and especially grass – should be kept well away from the tree for at least four years.  Many gardeners are surprised to learn what a serious threat to newly planted trees grass poses.  Top tip –  at planting time insert a piece of rainwater downpipe with several holes drilled in the side slightly deeper than the roots and just above soil level.  Water down the pipe regularly  as this will prevent surface rooting and encourage the tree to root downwards for moisture and nutrients.

D. T. Brown offers a Disease-Resistant Fruit Tree Collection comprising one tree each of Apple Pinova, Pear Beurre Hardy and Plum Lizzie for just £39.85, which represents a saving of £23 on individual prices - and also includes new Apple Ruby absolutely free of charge. Four trees for less than £10 each.