Backyard Fruit Tree Basics

Tom Spellman talks about the main points of Backyard Orchard Culture. Topics include managing tree size, successive ripening fruits, dealing with poor draining soil, mulching and more.

[@karenbradford3882]

I told Tom Spellman that he changed my life by saying I could plant trees much closer together than I ever would have dared. Thank you, Tom: I have many more trees and varieties than I otherwise would!

[@jeweleagle613]

Tom needs to write a book!

[@alfalfa]

Well said Tom, gardening makes us human again and connects us back to mother earth. More people need to get back to basics and appreciate the roots that have been with us for centuries.

[@ThESnAKe321]

Woww 11 yrs old comment

[@gggggggggg-ms8lm]

​@@ThESnAKe321now 12 years

[@treezzzpleezzz3430]

Start: Control tree size. 5:15 grow successive ripening varieties. 5:47 grow what you enjoy. 6:12 know your microclimate in each area of your property and tree selection for each microclimate. 7:37 understand root stock and choose root stock for adaptability to soil condition and weather, not size control. Summer pruning for size control, winter pruning for detail. 8:51 raised beds (cherry doesn’t like heavy wet soil). 9:46. Problem you can’t identify, call arborist and how to collect sample to show arborist. 11:53 mulch- 4 benefits: 1- keeps ground 10-20 degrees cooler for fine feeder root protection. 2-better use of irrigation water by 50% bottom line savings. 3- bio activity of soil: mycorrhizae, earth worms, bacteria, beneficial fungi that helps roots access nutrients in soil. 4- control weed seeds. Except rhizatious grasses. Control Bermuda grass before laying down mulch layer. 14:28 Fertilizer use low nitrogen (green vigorous growth) high phosphorous and potash (root stability, growth of fruiting and flowering wood) to have more fruit at a younger age. 15:30 get back to farming, get your hands dirty, get fresh air, sunshine, exercise, quality time with SO & family, enjoy what you’ve produced.

[@kevinm8865]

God bless you!

[@flw9633]

Thank you!

[@paperlady1949]

Finally, someone who can communicate with the average person! Thank you!

[@williamjsheehan]

7:45 Detail: For heavy wet soil use Citation root stock, for dry/well drained use Nemaguard root stock.

[@BobRooney290]

the last part is the most important. building a bond with your kids and showing them where food comes from so they can also be self sustainable is the most important lesson in the video.

[@truthdefender54]

Tom is Me. These are the things I have done and they work even outside CA. Know your personal micro-clime. I had to go from rainy southern Lake Michigan to rocky, semi-drought Ozark terrain. We have lots of deer...an added factor to fruit trees. Lots of birds, butterflies, flies, bees, predators and prey insects galore. These all sound beautiful and they are; they also bring caterpillars, maggots and environmental balance issues. Everyone needs to tune themselves to their own ecology.

[@cindylundberg49]

All I can say is Wow Dave! Your no nonsense approach to growing is phenomenal. I have looked at more gardening videos for expert advice than I would like to admit . I will not hesitate to say that your video is by far superior to any that I have seen. Thank you so very much for your vast knowledge and expertise. The wife and I are retired veterans and absolutely love being outside enjoying Gods splendor and miracles. We have a small orchard on 20 acres of land in the southern Ozarks of Missouri. An absolute gorgeous piece of land that God so graciously allows us to steward. I will certainly put to use the advice you have so generously provided in making me and my wife's little slice of heaven that much nicer. God bless you and your family my friend. Keep up the fantastic work. Rob Lundberg (a recent and grateful new subscriber).

[@hollienguyen5222]

So glad to have found your channel and website, I stuck gold with the wealth of knowledge here.

[@piazza1129]

Wanted to thank you for teaching & inspiring me to grow! I live in PNW suburbia on 1/4 acre & now grow over 60 varieties of fruits thanks to you. Most of the fruit trees I planted came from you guys through my nursery. Thanks again

[@TheBusyGardener]

Tom Spellman is the man! I'm also a suburban grower with around 60 trees (though in SoCal). THIS VIDEO inspired me to start my own back yard orchard 7 years ago.

[@ThESnAKe321]

Wow 11 yrs old comment

[@adyingbreedofman9112]

Fantastic video. The best general information on how to select and start a home Orchard. Perfecting timing for me as I'm placing a big order to try and give my Orchard a serious jump start. Thank you for this.

[@catracho1966]

Today I watched your video and I loved the way you explained it, it was enjoyable and very instructive, thank you for the love and passion that you have given us through your video.

[@busker153]

It is refreshing to hear someone speak who really knows his audience!

[@bunnybabybevytv6434]

This is the pruning video I needed to see. Thank you sir!

[@randygreen007]

Jacob McMahon no kidding. I always thought that summer pruning was harmful to the tree.

[@JodBronson]

You have to "Prune Top" it. I waited 10+ years... Until I decided to CHOP THE TOP OFF.....Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4aln4WGaN52la8

[@jonhell2445]

Absolutely the best single video for growing backyard fruit trees. Thank you

[@LB-vl3qn]

Finally, someone articulate who can explain things simply and clearly without once using the words, "actually," "amazing," or "exciting." Every second of this video is packed with useful information. Thank you and may God bless you richly. Subscribed, liked, and followed.

[@AmieB2005]

I have no clue on planting and never tried it before, but I like this guy and the way he talks.

[@rabelad]

This is an excellent video as an introduction to backyard fruit production. I spent 15 years as an orchardist then another 15 years as our area's arborist.This film has all good information but I only have an issue about one detail: you did a major pruning of a deciduous tree before the fall leaf drop. By pruning with the leaves too early, before dormancy, it denies the tree the sugar that the discarded leaves would have produced and stored away in the tree for the following spring growth.

[@lynnlynn983]

Hands down.. the best fruit tree video on the web.. Great information!! Thanks very much!!

[@tagi3d]

Tom you're so motivational! I've put in 20+ trees this year and even though im in Australia and will never be able to buy your product just want to thank you so much for your clear and fantastic videos. You guys are doing a wonderful service with your on-line presence. Cheers mate.

[@ThESnAKe321]

Woww 11 yrs old comment

[@dianaduong]

Just wished all the other gardening how-to videos on youTube were as helpful as this one. Thanks, Tom and Dave Wilson Trees!

[@o00oZu1o00o]

you just answered in a single vid the 2 questions I really needed to get an answer to and couldn't find (possibility to control size of fruit trees without regard to the size the same tree would have if it could grow unhindered, and value of raised beds for fruit trees). Thanks a lot, and this is maybe the best gardening vid I have seen, awesome garden and great info.

[@hrw852]

I was inspired by one of your previous videos on this subject and I planted 240 mango, avocado and lychee trees on my 1/2 acre corner lot as a result. And on my lot is a 3400 sq ft house with a pool. This new video really gave more ideas especially your little to no nitrogen suggestion. Thanks again.

[@GoodWheelie]

Very, very informative and explained in an unpatronizing yet beginner friendly way. Thank you so much.

[@hfortenberry]

Thank you so much for reiterating that you need to prune the tree for size instead of trying to find the right root-stock or species. It took me forever to get comfortable with the idea that I will use pruning to keep my tree the way I want it. I usually tend to purchase plants based on their natural habitat but it's different with a lot of these fruit trees. I've been doing rough espalier's the last few years because my backyard is so tiny and I find it's working out just fine. :-)

[@rosieg7582]

This is so helpful, matter of fact and not all uptight like some gardening videos I've seen. I especially appreciated the comments about not worrying about what size tree, dwarf or not, because you are in control of your tree size. Gives me confidence to prune and make my trees adapt to me. Thanks!

[@MicheleLaCagnina]

Yes! That was new knowledge for me as well.

[@thesupportcrew1]

Uploaded 2011 and still serving people. This was a great help to me. Thank you!

[@sallydeppe8575]

He shared that I can keep my mini fruit trees pruned to fit my height. Excellent advice.

[@Riceandbeans7]

This is one of the best videos that I watched on KZbin. Thank you for the info. Now I can plant my 3rd cherry tree the correct way :).

[@LD-uq3fb]

The best video on backyard orchards that I have seen excellent no nonsense practical advice for the beginner.

[@mikesoffes9207]

Thank you sir. I learned a lot in just a few videos. You are a good and thorough teacher. God bless.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

I have sent this link to this to my sister, a rancher with fruit trees.

[@littledragonfly5935]

Video 10 years ago but never get old. Actually I wished I had seen this before I started my backyard garden journey so there would be less trial and error.

[@sonofjohn56]

You saved me a lot of money by showing me that I do not have to follow industry standards. And that I can prune down the trees. I thought I had to grow them to full size. You also showed me how to grow cherries. Plus, that root stock is selected for hardiness and not size. I thought the opposite. I will just have to continue to do my studying and when I am ready. Use my micro climate to plant the trees. You showed me that too. Thank you for all the good advice.

[@TheSeedsower107]

Just found you here. I absolutely love your channel ! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful info on back yard orchards. Mine is 4 years old now. Will be using your info for future success. Thank you again !

[@urbanhomesteadingpdx]

Thanks for your backyard orchard videos. Learned so much watching the videos!

[@rlopez95207]

tom your are awesome and so are your trees i planted 10 different fruit trees and they are all from Dave wilson nursery i got them from my local nursery i cant Waite for my fruit to be harvested keep up the good work.

[@baxeelelle]

One of the best entry video for backyard orchards

[@marioolivares4532]

So much great information, loved all your detail on rootstocks and options on what we can do ❤

[@cindylundberg49]

Correction on my last comment. I should have given the praise to you Tom. Have a Blessed day.

[@carriad11]

Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada and I am surely a backyard fruit tree gardener! Your instructions for me raised all kinds of new possibilities.

[@kahvac]

WOW Tom your the man ! Excellent Video ! This is some of the very best KZbin has to offer. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and sharing it with us.

[@martinhodge3127]

That man knows what he's talking about.

[@vizivizz]

For sure!

[@chantaltulliez8066]

Tom Spellman you are a STAR...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT AMAZING INFO AND INSIGHT INTO BACKYARD GARDENING...I am getting ready to start mine and the information you give is priceless...

[@mihkupaul6765]

These are my favorite go-to videos for my home orchard. I learn so much and my trees are doing really well. Thanks so much for posting these vids. You are a great instructor.

[@pnowikow]

I learned a lot in this video thanks for putting it together. I especially enjoyed the summer pruning and being able to keep the tree as small as you want

[@gioknows]

Very informative and extremely well presented. My thanks.

[@alexw890]

An oldie but a goodie! Thanks for the tips!!!

[@connieedmondson6668]

I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot! I can't wait to exercise the knowledge I've learned here. Thank you Dave!

[@chill5914]

did u grow a tree :)

[@vietzero001]

I agree with you on getting back to nature. My whole family enjoy the garden that I have and everybody want to be a part of it ever since I started it.

[@jonnythepartisan]

I have plans of turning a section of my property into an orchard, and boy am I glad I stumbled on this particular video. Subscribed.

[@TheBusyGardener]

Hi Honeypaw, this video inspired me to start my back yard orchard 7 years ago. My channel has some updates to what Tom is teaching here.

[@CBReal1290]

Most Excellent… Information and the Amount of Time the Details (basics) Covered… REMARKABLE! Wahoo. I’m off to diggin’ me fruit true a spot!

[@chairmanmeow3693]

Best video I've ever seen on fruit tree care. Thank you Tom

[@Time2ski27]

Thank you so much. Wonderful video. Loved all the comments and recommendations.

[@naumikaur7459]

Brilliant video and quiet timely . Thank you

[@aer7381]

Water rot! That is what killed my previous attempt at Cherry trees, it makes so much sense now. Putting them slightly above grade is so smart, thank you so much. I specifically remember the roots being so wet, and the trees were dead dead dead. We over mulched, like, 6inches of mulch because they were in the chicken run with a bunch of straw for the chickens to scratch through. I want cherry trees so much, and I'm attempting one last time this year.

[@steveknight4291]

probably the best home orchard advice on the web. thankyou

[@sweettravellumkan]

He's the best, very educated man, Very knowledgeable man!!

[@billastell3753]

Great advice. Been growing back yard fruit trees for 30 years and I still learned from this,

[@blissjoy2273]

Thanks for the great tip on controlling tree size by pruning! I've always gone by root stock for size, and gosh- your practice of using root stock for site characteristics instead of size, what a great help!

[@MrAlonzogaze]

Thank you Mr Wilson for this outstanding fruit tree video. You have no idea how much I learn from just this one video. you got to the point and expained it so that the regular amatuer gardener like me upgraded to being a better gardener. In a scale of 1 to 10, you definitly got a 10 in my book! Thanks again.

[@glma2711]

This was amazingly informative! I bought Ann Ralph’s book on keeping trees small and she mentioned the Dave Wilson nursery numerous times which led me here. What she didn’t tackle much was growing in heavy clay soil, which had me stumped on how to best address the problem. But it was addressed here in under 10 seconds! Thanks for the idea! I now can forge ahead with my backyard orchard!!

[@TheBusyGardener]

Tom Spellman is the man! THIS VIDEO inspired me to start my own back yard orchard 7 years ago.

[@sonofjohn56]

You really saved me a lot of trouble. I was convinced by a nursery that I had to have an orchard with spacing of 35 feet between my apples. I also thought that I had to grow 30' commercial standard trees. You showed me that I can have my own trees at a workable size and have multiple varieties. I was planning to just buy one variety of each kind of fruit tree. Antonovka apple, chokecherry, black cherry, dutchess apple, and american native plum. I thought I had to grow them commercially.

[@sebastianmiggiani3285]

They say to plant at least 2 of each fruit tree close to each other so they can cross pollinate and make bigger fruits.

[@karenhitchens3563]

Excellent tips! Thanks a bunch for sharing your expertise! Stay safe.

[@jayvantkalyankar2289]

From India. Very nice narrative and informative. Keep it up 🙏

[@hitslikeagirl1]

Thank you! Best info I’ve heard for home orchards.

[@wildfirepatchouli2232]

Tom is my new hero! Love all the information !

[@chata10953]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Excellent video.

[@HowToGetToHeaven]

Wonderful video! I learned a lot. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and knowledge!

[@at24hrs]

This is fantastic. I am highly impressed with the idea of backyard farming. I too have a small terrace garden & as rightly said you get a opportunity to get back to your mother nature & get sunlight, fresh air & exercise etc. Whole lot of benefits. Great........... Thanks to Mr Dave Wilson.

[@madhavigunnala3479]

Well said 👌👌, Doing gardening brings so much joy ,

[@FqrinSelamn]

Dude, you rock! Really admire and respect you for your knowledge and ability to articulate!

[@jan6832]

I absolutely love this! So glad to hear other people who think like me from a totally different part of the globe. The part about differentiating back yard culture from commercial, was particularly helpful, as I was just about to uproot my tall trees, when all I need to do is control their growth. But my absolute favourite was that, "Back yard orchard culture allows us to get back to our roots and get back healthy.". It has certainly worked for me......minus a few injuries. Lol Thank you so much. One question. Does controlling the size of the tree control how the roots spread, or do I have to still be wary or planting to close to a house/foundation or wall, so the roots won't do damage? Thanks again.

[@lkhfun6575]

First time watcher and immediate subscriber! Learned more in one video than I usually do in 10. Looking forward to more. Thanks!

[@Chris-pj1os]

Thanks so much Tom! Your videos always help to keep me fired up for growing food. A friendly addition to your presentation: I get my mulch for free from my area tree service. I track them down in my neighborhood when I see them working, and ask them to drop the chippings at my house. In my case, our local service knows that I want to avoid eucalyptus or pine. Since I live in an older neighborhood, with lots of humongous ash, jacaranda, etc, I have no problem getting tree chippings from healthy trees.

[@cathiwim]

Chris Roche i do that too, but beware of poison ivy! I got 7 truckloads 10 years ago, and there was chipped up poison ivy pieces in the chips. Now i have 9 beds that i am constantly fighting to clear the PI.

[@rchavira]

I am just beginning to gather info on how to grow fruit trees and your video was very helpful. thank you Dave Wilson

[@JR-xz2be]

Great job. Best video I have seen in a while thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@marthaconover4460]

Yay for informative videos! I'm an overzealous organic permaculture person who's trying to plant EVERYTHING I can on 2 acres in zone 5. Think I bit off more than I can chew. I feel like I need to be retired to keep up w/ it, and my yard is still in baby mode. Deer/ disease/ etc make it hard organically. I spend lots of time researching every day. Your videos are inspirational. Thanks!

[@elizabethcartner2005]

This is the best information on keeping fruit trees small I have seen. Thank you Dave.

[@syedalishanzaidi1]

Thank you Dave. Very precise and to the point advice, and thank you doubly for not doing it with a hand held shaking ans swimming camera, tilting, zooming in, zooming out of the viewer's face all the time. Good video.

[@gtdoering4630]

Tom, Thank you so much for this and all of your videos. I only wish that I had come across these videos before I planted my 50 fruit and nut trees. I did plant a wide range of fruits and varieties, but did not do much else correctly. Your videos will get me on the right track. Thanks again.

[@MuhammadAli-369]

I love Fruit trees..you are doing a wonderful work.....i am from MAURITIUS a beautiful Island near Madagascar

[@pervezak]

The best video on backyard orchard.

[@howlinwolfgangnester]

You rock dave and about that zip lock bag, Your the orchard i trust.... very great informative logical instruction

[@stizan24]

When I was in my early 20's I thought drinking and partying was a good life. When I calmed down I saw tiny apples on am overgrown apple tree. I mow prune my applw tree amd get tons of apples. I stay home om the weekends and weed my garden. I havent had to buy a tomato in years. I only grow 8 tomato plants but they get 7 feet tall and produce 40 or so on my better boys and early girls to a couple hundred on my husky cherry plants. I spend two days a year canning the tomatoes a cant eat. I grow strawberries and make jelly and ice cream. I still can't grow peaches though lol.

[@tealifewithgiftedteju6794]

Wow what a testimony . That’s awesome . Let me tell you mine too: I ate junk food my entire life I mean all day everyday until I became ill. That’s when I had to look for a solution to heal myself and stop ending up in the hospital all the time because it was reducing my quality of life. So I discovered that plants/trees had healing properties in them . From then I became addicted to garden and growing different varieties of trees. Let’s just say I’m glad I found a positive addiction 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@davidhawley6127]

9

[@mychicksrthick]

Peaches are almost impossible to grow lol. I just started gardening also and have calmed do2n from the crazy drinking also. I still sip wine though after a long hard day In the garden

[@ThESnAKe321]

Nine years old comment 😮

[@Mrbfgray]

Excellent. I've been tending, planting and pruning fruit and nut trees for over 15 yr.s but I have a lot to learn still as it's a 'hobby', love to live off my own land.

[@clambert2020]

Great video. Chock full of essential information presented clearly and logically. Thank you so much.

[@diannesteinhauser896]

Im sure new to the fruit tree world!! This really taught me alot- I know my fruit trees will let me know what im doing wrong if i start right and pay attention and watch more good videos like this one !

[@StinkRiot]

Again, another great video, Mr. Spellman. Your knowledge is awesome and it's always great to watch someone who truly enjoys their work. Thanks for the bag.

[@greenhousefun3235]

Thanks so much. I'm getting ready to invest in a backyard orchard. I was going to grow fruit I dont really want. I was intimidated because I thought I had to have huge trees I learned alot.

[@txdurk]

True advice. I'm planting out a half acre. My only concerns are to get enough for my family and get my garden tractor around the trees to keep things tidy. I plant in groups of three in a triangle to permit pollinators good access to do their job. I have three apples, three plums, two low chill self fruitful cheeries, three pears and two bananas that I'll propgate, and an alond & two hazels. More than plenty for us bringing us gret showy flowers and fruit.

[@brittrathbunwoo7370]

This is such a great, informative video! Thank you so much for creating this. I am starting a backyard orchard in my suburban home in Los Angeles on mostly concrete with a few spaces of soil. Need to fit annual food crops in as well, so I am using a lot of pots & grow bags for now. After this planting season is over, I will hopefully be able to find permanent homes in my yard for my trees! Thank you again!

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

mulch just goes over the native soil, no digging required. we use micro-sprinklers for irrigation, which you can find at most garden centers.

[@GardensInDesert]

Dave, this is an excellent video! I really appreciate the information. I have a medium sized backyard residential lot, and I have apple, apricot, plum, kumquat, potted pomegranited, and self seeded persimmon sprouts, and have ordered 2 pears for pollinating eachother, and two apples to pollinate eachother, (and that was a mistake because they are both pink ladies. I already have a red delicious.... )I wish to see backyard high density planting so that I can get ideas on grouping, placement and shaping. I still have to move around you know!

[@uhs5441]

BRAVO. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT TUTORING.👏

[@lisag65256]

love this video...very educational and helpful...I learned alot and hope to continue...I have been slowly implementing a food forest beginning with peach, plum, apple, and pear...Looking to add more as I come across them...have a blessed day

[@tractor4fun]

My first word - WOW! Great video. I wanted to start a back yard orchard and was skeptical, now I'm excited. Can't wait to get started.

[@74VDC]

This is a fantastic video! I watched it last year and thought the same. My only beef is a geographical one. Not everyone who grows fruit trees are in California. There ARE other fruit capable regions. I'm in the mid-Atlantic, we cannot grow citrus or pomegranites or avocados, but we can grow wonderful apples, peaches, pears, plums, quinces, cherries etc. I'd love to hear a video from this same guy that relates more closely to us. The mid-Atlantic is a pretty big population center too.

[@TW-fx2jx]

GREAT video! Took notes to refer back to as I start my planting. Thank you

[@wildchookMaryP]

This is great information. I didn't fall asleep... fairdinkum! :) I thoroughly enjoyed this video.

[@zoltan522]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[@TroyTisserand]

Great video and thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world!