How to Plant a Bare-root Fruit Tree Step by Step

[@ZeraTheRedRogue]

Started watching your channel about 8 months ago and am trying my first bareroot planting this spring of a dwarf Granny Smith. Your information has been extremely helpful, so thank you for putting all these videos together for us, Ben.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for supporting the channel. I hope you Granny Smith thrives and produces fruit soon. :-)

[@jenniferbell2410]

I'm planting two crabapple trees. This is the first time I've tried to plant bare root, I was nervous but your instructions make it seem easy. Thanks so much.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you found the video useful. I'm sure your trees will settle in nicely. :-)

[@genekerr8064]

Just received 6 bare root dormat apricot trees. Thank you are the update on bare root planting.

[@GrowVeg]

I hope they establish well for you. :-)

[@oisian88]

I've planted 3 pecans, some paw paws, raspberry, blueberry, apple, peach, plum and mulberry. I love fruit!

[@GrowVeg]

Way to go!

[@SharonSkipper-rn4dd]

Just about to plant six trees when the ground has thawed a little, Cherry, Pear, Plum and three varieties of Apple. Wouldn't have known anything about how or where without watching this video, and the blossom removal in the first year advice was invaluable. THANK YOU!

[@GrowVeg]

You're very welcome Sharon! :-)

[@Jen-nk2fs]

Thank you for this super helpful video! Do you recommend adding any feed in the hole such as Rootgrow - Mycorrhizal Fungi?

[@GrowVeg]

I didn't both for this fruit tree. However, adding Rootgrow is proven to help plants establish, so I would say that if you have a few trees to plant to make it worthwhile, it would be worth adding a Rootgrow treament.

[@mahmudachowdhury9563]

Fantastic video-thank you! Planting a bare root cherry tomorrow- now I have a clear guide as to how to do so

[@sarahwren6227]

Very helpful. I'm house sitting for my mother and I've just had a load of fruit trees and bushes delivered (to my surprise!) so I'm now learning what to do with them Thanks for info

[@GrowVeg]

Glad this was useful Sarah. Hope your mum appreciates your efforts! 😀

[@jagmorar5070]

About to plant a cherry tree. This video really helped to understand what I should do. Thanks!

[@christineheideman735]

I just planted a Rainier dwarf & a Napoleon Dwarf cherry in my yard, thank you for all the help! They are my first fruit trees so I'm hoping they do well.

[@doityourselflivinggardenin7986]

Another good video. I have used plastic guards before and they caused problems with moisture and pests. I have better luck with hardware's cloth, but it must be wide so the trunk cannot touch it when the wind blows. Another option is an equal mix of water, white latex paint, and drywall spackling painted on the lower part of the trunk. Voles and rabbits do not like to chew on that.

[@doreenvalenza1204]

Great advice will now plant our fruit treees !!!

[@10MinutestoRouletteFortune]

Three dwarf Honecrisp apple trees on deck. My soil is pretty much dirt so i had to amend it well and add compost along with Fish Bone Meal 3-16-4 to really kick the roots off. BAM I think bone meal is so very important

[@zahroohussain7460]

Great video, thanks. Just planted a pear and apple tree ☺️

[@mariameenan7848]

Bought 2 bare root trees yesterday. Absolutely love your videos, giving me the gardening bug!

[@GrowVeg]

That's so great to hear Maria! :-)

[@sandrajohn9837]

Thank you for your very clear and comprehensive teaching. I was glad to discover that I knew more than I had thought but it's very encouraging to have confirmation as this is my first planting of bare rooted trees. I didn't know whether I should plant now (July in Tasmania) because people say don't water in winter and obviously you have to water in when you plant, so that's one question answered. I also didn't know about the figure of 8 tie. I'll do that; it looks beautiful and strong.

[@GrowVeg]

I would say now is a great time to plant if everything's dormant. Love Tasmania - beautiful place. :-)

[@sandrajohn9837]

@@GrowVeg Thanks for your advice: turning the soil NOW! 😁

[@andrewlockley123]

Thanks for the advice. I'm about to plant a new 'scrumptious' apple tree so will follow these useful tips.

[@andrewlockley123]

Will the bare root tree still establish in the ground if it came with hardly any roots on? The one I had delivered surprised me - must've been 6 or 7 root strands at the most

[@patrickvennard838]

Great video just planting a cherry apple and plum thanks for the advice.

[@hdtrainer8]

I'm planting a new semi-dwarf Granny Smith. Thanks for the help.

[@debrariley2057]

Another excellent, clear, concise and informative video. Especially as I bought a pear tree this week and I intend to plant it this weekend.

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff Debra. Hope it establishes well for you.

[@judithcarter7358]

Great, video,good clear advice easy to follow without any of the usual faff. thank you.

[@youdoyouandletsgetalong1374]

Mulberry and medlar tree going in today. Cheers.

[@GrowVeg]

Lovely stuff!

[@emmayoung87]

Great video I’m planting a bare root cherry today!

[@rebecaorsi554]

Thank you for the tips . Planting peach , apricot and apple trees

[@lucemyers92]

Thank you! we are planting 3 organic apple trees tomorrow: Williams and Arkansas Black along with a Honey Crisp- Your video was a great confidence reminder, as it has been years since we planted fruit trees! . here is Missouri, USA-

[@GrowVeg]

Great to hear that!

[@sharoncourt75]

i am kearning in kansas los 4 cherrys last year due to excess in clay soil

[@ademalkhayati6388]

@@GrowVeg Hello How can I vaccinate green Anjouo pears

[@gmitch9812]

Brilliant Video and information to help us plant our first Spartan Apple Tree , Thank You

[@GrowVeg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardjohnston6876]

Thank you very much for a delightful how to for fwuit trees. We are just about to plant 20 in Yandoit Hills vic australia.

[@frankhochman837]

Love this guy's gardening videos. I follow lots of his advice. So, thanks.

[@CatopiaCatSanctuary]

@Frank Hochman, So do I! I also use a lot of his tips as well as Charles Dowding

[@chaoskittenxo]

Early next week I'll be planting an apple tree and a pear tree, along with five silver birch and five rowan trees. Very excited. I also have a lovely cherry blossom due to be planted out also!

[@GrowVeg]

So satisfying to have all those trees to plant - they'll look great!

[@DrRock2009]

A length of 16mm width rebar is better than a wooden stake. You can pull it out when its job is done and reuse it and it won’t rot or snap.

[@kristinesautter3529]

Thanks for the informational video on planting trees. I have three Gala and three Honeycrisp apple trees to plant in the next couple days. Your advice will get me off to a good start. I do plan to place landscape fabric on the ground around the tree and them mulch above. I plant in fabric in my garden and have had great success. A sq or round of that will keep the grass at bay for years.

[@GrowVeg]

That's a great idea Kristine. :-)

[@FastEddy396]

Planting half dozen apples, six each of plum, pear, and pomegranate. Possibly a pair of citrus that are reputed to do well in our central Virginia climate.

[@diongrimes1516]

Trying my first bare roots this coming weekend, and I appreciate the tips. I have three pawpaw trees that I'll be starting. Wish me luck!

[@GrowVeg]

Very best of luck Dion!

[@nimira]

Thank you - very clear. I'm about to plant bare root pear and potted cherry :)

[@pjstansall]

Many thanks for your kind advice.

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

I'm about to plant my new Gala apple tree. 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Yey! Hope it grows well for you Elizabeth.

[@yourgreencompanion6621]

This is a nice and simple explanation on bare root planting. However, in Australia with our dry conditions its best to dig down at least twice the depth of the planned hole, mix in some compost and normal soil 50/50% and place this into the lower part of the hole. Place tree into hole and back fill. By doing this it will not only encourage new growth but retain moisture and turn into rich fertile soil by time the roots reach down that far.

[@GrowVeg]

Good advice, thanks for sharing.

[@davidthompson9893]

Great video, thank you. I have ordered an Apple tree for my garden and these tips are great to help me prepare for its arrival!

[@annewalker4354]

I’ve ordered dwarf apple, cooking and eating, a mixed pear, a plum tree and a cherry tree

[@GrowVeg]

Fantastic - lots of lovely fruit to look forward to! :-)

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Top most roots shown in video were actually adventitiously grown off the above ground trunk after someone in nursery artificially raised level over root stocks original birth grade. All Roots like these growing above trunks original root flair need to be pruned off before planting. All nursery stock requires a "trunk flare excavation" before Permanently planting, which sometimes involves removing as much as four to ten inches of added soil on top of root ball surface. Remember 100% of new trees arrive with their trunk already too deep in root ball after sapling had been planted too deep in nursery or during up potting process. Young trees also require specialized Structural pruning First 15 years. Luck, enjoy!

[@helenkewley2225]

What a brlliant and clear video

[@carolruditis6142]

Just about to plant thank you for this invaluable information 😊

[@selinanawaz1029]

Great video. I planted a cherry tree a month or so back. Will definitely be using your tips for future trees.

[@fourseasons2248]

This was so helpful! I'm planning to plant pear trees from seed this spring so I'm starting them now. I'm also planting peach trees, but I'll be getting them bare-root like this. Thanks for posting! 🌱🌳🍑🍐

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Hello furry black Cat with Trumpian orange eyes. Four seasons, most important planting tip ever (or biggest unfollowed planting step)...is transplanting vertical stem and soiless vertical taproot at trees *_original birth grade_* level. Making sure to horizontally extend loose roots straight outword directly away from tree, similar to spokes on a bicycle wheel. If only you could lightly scratch outer skin off to find where taproot and trunk transitions, one would see how tissue changes from green to creamy Brown. But it's easier just to locate top most set of roots, and then transplant them no more than 1/2 inch below grade. This also places enlarging trunk flare in most beneficial location, where it can defend its main stem from any wayward stem girdling roots throughout its lifetime. As trunk strangulation increasingly becoming one of the very top reasons for health problems arborist like me see. If bare-root. Sounds like youare transplanting a young 3-4 yr old tree. Which compared to larger age 6-8 nursery grown stock, your younger tree will require specialized *_structural pruning_* according to the way you would like to harvest fruit in future. Central leader crown, modified central leader style, supporting branches on a background trellis, codominant stemmed candelabra etc. So basically you set up trees main structure. This type of pruning is different than later in trees life when regularly subordinating or heading back vigorous upright vegetative growth and keeping lateral branches producing fruiting Spurs growing slower in a more horizontal direction. *Just one extra fun tip you can use at a party.* *_Think back to every time you had witnessed tree roots growing on top of the ground._* They were crossing over spots in crappiest compacted soil nothing could grow in, not even grass. On their way in hopes of locating better growing conditions elsewhere. Not because tree wasn't planted deep enough, not because it's particular species likes or had evolved to grow shallow root systems. So now you know why tree roots lift sidewalks, because they're supposed to! When we intentionally compact the ground underneath cement slabs, forcing roots to grow on top of the ground and making impossible for them to grow deeper whatsoever. Scientifically, only that certain species are more sensitive to lack of oxygen depending on underground conditions. So keep that foot traffic down around your trees! A light blanket of no more than 2in high layer of wood chips helps cushion and prevents compacting or recompacting soil after loosened up by air spading.

[@fourseasons2248]

@@CONCERTMANchicago hello there, 👋 wow that was a lot of information, & really useful! Thanks so much! Great tips & ideas too. 😻👍🌱

[@Lucacs222]

Haha this is so weird. I JUST bought a cherry tree the other day and found this video while looking up how best to plant it. Funny that he is doing exactly what I need to do.

[@GrowVeg]

Great job Lucas! I hope your cherry thrives. :-)

[@AD4MRick]

Very informative. Thank you very much.

[@stevenshaum4544]

Great information. Olive trees next month.

[@mohammademambocus1982]

Thank you so much for your videos - so helpful

[@GrowVeg]

You're very welcome Mohammad. :-)

[@markirish7599]

Thank you and merry Christmas for you and your family from Ireland 🇮🇪.just planted a bare root stella cherry tree in a container today. Hope it settles in 🙏

[@GrowVeg]

And a very merry Christmas to you too Mark!

[@charleslestrange8200]

All good. I expect you want to use the stake again . Otherwise perhaps remove the part of the stake an inch or so above the tie?. Nice to see a well prepared grass free planting area.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Charles. Yes, I'll remove the stake at some point to use elsewhere.

[@GaneshBenBenBaba]

I plan on planting as much fruit trees as possible on my property in Thailand. The area is dry at 60% humidity and at 32C or 90F . The land soil taxonomy is sandy/silty there's very little loam/clay in the soil. I will have to get compost and fortify the soil I have. For explanation I had to buy sand in order to lift up the entire area by 2ft below those 2ft is the real soil from that area which is high in clay but low in loam. The sand is just sand and silt. However my family in Thailand managed to grow Coconut, Mangosteen, Jackfruit, Lemongrass and many Herbs on this infertile sand silt with the help of cow manure. The growth is not slow but for the region it is as we are in the Tropics. I will have to till the open land once, get compost mixed into the soil I might buy loam just to get better soil structure I think also about using Biochar in order to hold water longer as it's a drought area near the lush mountains. I will introduce beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal fungus at a 1:1 rate as that's most beneficial for fruiting trees. Some like more myco. Usually in woods we have 50k fungi to 1 microbe. I'm building a water irrigation system we dug the pond already now I have to seal it and fill it with the river water which runs besides it. I plan after the initial till a no-till system and that will only work with a worm farm as worms aren't as common as you might think in Thailand. They exist but not in sand and silt. Now you @GrowVeg are the professionals when it comes to trees. Which varieties would you recommend for the temperatures and region? Any other tips based on the information I gave you?

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Ganesh. It sounds like you have quite a project on your hands there! With all that thorough preparation I'm sure you will get your trees off to a great start. My experience of growing is very much based on a cooler, temperate climate, so I can't recommend specific trees for your area. The only advice I can give is to ask local gardeners and plant nurseries, if available, to see what grows best in your location. Local advice on suitable varieties is always the best. I'm sorry I can't be more specific than that.

[@suewebber7732]

Dec 21. I’ve had two bare root trees on order from a proper tree nursery. They’ve phoned me up twice deferring my collection date because the trees aren’t dormant yet, it’s been such a mild autumn. They’ve got to wait for all the leaves to fall before they will dig them up.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, it's been very mild. Still quite a few leaves on some of the trees here too.

[@johnc8112]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me in planting bare root trees 🌳. Will be subscribing and following your channel. Keep up the awesome work you do.

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful John. Thanks so much for the sub!

[@mrjason9382]

Thanks for shareing

[@maimclean7493]

Very nice impromation. Thank you.👍

[@sarahplambeck5095]

Thank you!

[@aptwits2963]

Thanks

[@Mary-fq6sm]

Planting my first bare root trees today; two pear trees. Thanks for the video instructional.

[@QPerth]

Great helpful video. I’m soon to tackle digging up, barerooting, and moving from the front yard to the backyard, a silverbirch tree that has struggled in in its solo place out the front. We hope it will be happy like it’s siblings out in the back. Wish us luck!

[@GrowVeg]

Very best of luck to you!

[@aj7803]

Allrite big man. Thanks for posting this. Great video so it is.

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much! :-)

[@1phloxy]

Thank you . Planting a Pear and Blueberry Patriotic.

[@10MinutestoRouletteFortune]

Blue berry is an acidic soil needing plant. Should it have problems, consider amending it with peat moss of a nutrient made for acidic plants. Just a thought. I had the same problem.

[@rafaelporras1806]

Thank you for a very informative video. my question is did you have to prune the tips when a bare root tree is planted.

[@GrowVeg]

No I didn't have to. :-)

[@shereenlawford3220]

Great video

[@ellbug89]

I want to plant some bare root sea buckthorn. Its hard to find though. I have already planted Raspberry's, elderberries, currants and blueberries. In colder areas where the ground freezes it's best to plant before then.

[@GrowVeg]

You might struggle to find bare-root sea buckthorn, but it container-grown plants should be relatively easy to find. Look for them under the Latin name too: Hippophae rhamnoides

[@serenakneeshaw7343]

Not sure if you’ll see this, but can I ask a question? I’m in Oz, and have just ordered bare root apples, and crabapples, including 2 Bramleys, 1 cox’s orange pippin. They are super dwarf, and I”m planting them in pots , because I can’t access the garden for a year. Do they still need a metre wide pot?! Any other tips for pots rather than the garden? Cheers from Sydney !

[@GrowVeg]

If they are only to be in containers for a year, then you can probably get away with a smaller pot - something that easily accommodates their roots, without them bending, plus a little more room for them to grow into over the year. You can then plant them once you're able to.

[@AshWP]

Such a great video, with all the little tips about shaking the tree and fencing options! Thank you! A question if you please though - does one need to prune a bareroot tree before planting?

[@GrowVeg]

You shouldn't have to prune a normal, untrained tree after planting, no.

[@AshWP]

@@GrowVeg Thank you!

[@ukpaul9221]

I've got another Cambridge Gage tree coming and so this vid was especially helpful as a reminder of the process. Thanks. Love the Dig for Victory Forum - give it plenty of publicity as there doesn't seem - at the moment - to be a big take-up. Keep up the good work. Paul

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Martyn. We're actively promoting it so hopefully the take-up will pick up.

[@jojohnston4113]

Great information!

[@kirstenchalker6849]

,Kirsten Chalker: Very helpful, Thanks

[@audi4581]

Wow what a great informative video and easy to follow steps for a beginner. A+ video I will be moving a plum tree, any tips? = )

[@GrowVeg]

Move it when it's dormant and try to keep as much of the original soil around the roots as you can to avoid disturbing it too much.

[@jacquelinestravels]

This was really helpful , thankyou . I have a question, I recently acquired a fruit tree ( cherry ) in a very small pot , or at least it looks too small for the tree . somebody was giving it away for free . my question is this , could I take it out of the pot and plant it in the garden seeing as now is the right time of year ?

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, absolutely. If it is still mild and you don't get incredibly harsh winters where you are, then now is the time to plant it.

[@carolhebbard6530]

Thanks Ben, another great video. I planted my bare rooted Apple & Pear trees a month or so ago (they look happy enough). I've removed the blossom like you said. Do you think they are too young to prune (just a little) - the main branch on the pear is quite long. Thanks again, Carol

[@GrowVeg]

You could prune a little. Formative pruning is best done while the trees are dormant in winter.

[@mdiazdiaz5612]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing, I am getting ready to plant a bare root apple tree this week and I will follow your instructions. Since my soil is heavy clay my plan is to dig a 4x4 square area two feet deep and create a raise mound then plant the apple tree a little above the clay soil and fill the area with a mixture of top soil compost, potting soil and mulch to allow rooting above the clay soil. Is this a good idea or no?

[@GrowVeg]

That sounds like a good idea if your soil gets really wet and saturated. But if not, I'd just aim to improve the planting area as you suggest, but keep the planting area level with the ground so that there's no risk of the tree, particularly when young, drying out in the summer. Also, a raised planting mound will make it harder to keep the young tree hydrated in a hot, dry summer.

[@mdiazdiaz5612]

@@GrowVeg Hi i just received my bare-root tree and i am glad you responded right away because i planted my apple tree following your instructions. The tree did not come with many roots only about four long roots about 8 inches long i am not sure it's going to make it, what do you think? Should it begin to grow any signs of buds within in a month right? What's your opinion? Thanks Amigo

[@davidd3377]

Good video.

[@dickgoodrich6660]

I am planting a Meyer lemon tree in my yard in Anderson, South Carolina. Any advice you can share would be greatly appreciated

[@GrowVeg]

Much the same advice as shared in this video. They like the warmth and are quite cold-sensitive, so plant it in full sun, perhaps against the south-facing wall of the house, or at least somewhere somewhat protected by frosts.

[@yosibest]

Great video. I have received my two apples (russet and cox) and a pear trees (all bear rooted). How long do I have from receipt of the trees to prepare the groudn and plant them?

[@GrowVeg]

I would plant them as soon as possible. But if you can't do that, just 'heal them in' but burying the roots with soil to keep them from drying out until you're ready to plant. But aim to do so as soon as you can - ideally within a week.

[@yosibest]

@@GrowVegThanks. I am reliant on both time and weather to get it done. Would I be ok putting the trees temporarily in pots whilst I sort the ground up and wait for decent weather?

[@johndaubray-butler3259]

Great video. I have 4 varieties of apple bare root trees to plant. How far apart for pollination, they will join an established James Greave apple and a crab apple?

[@GrowVeg]

They can be surprisingly far apart - the bees will work their way around them all. Your trees will even benefit from the pollen carried from other gardens too. I would say as long as they're within about 10-15 metres (40 feet or so) you should be just fine.

[@love2rumba1]

What temperature should the water be when one is soaking the bare-root plant's roots prior to planting?

[@GrowVeg]

Any temperature above freezing is fine.

[@donnathomas7364]

thank you for the info

[@martinbowling8699]

Hi I'm a complete novice and would like to plant around a dozen trees, what would be the space needed between each tree, thanks.

[@GrowVeg]

It depends on the ultimate size of the tree, which will depend on the rootstock it is grafted onto. If you know the rootstock it will tell you a lot about how far to plant apart. The really smallest trees may go as little as 3ft/1m apart, but slightly larger trees, like the one I planted in the video, would need more like 10ft/3m. It's best to find out what you've got and then research from there to clarify planting distance.

[@RonanParkhill1973]

Received some bare root trees today, but it's going to be frosty for the next week or two, what shall I do, pot them,??

[@GrowVeg]

If the ground isn't frozen hard you could get on and plant them. If the ground isn't workable, just rest them in a pot of damp compost/potting mix until conditions improve.

[@Sean-gg5py]

Great video What happens if you plant the fruit trre ( victoria plum) in the soil straight way with out putting it in water

[@GrowVeg]

It would be absolutely fine, so long as the soil itself is nice and moist.

[@AshWP]

Thank you for a fantastic video! Quick question - How long will you leave the stake in and is it absolutely necessary? Thanks again for the information!

[@GrowVeg]

I will leave the stake in for at least a year, but probably two. To be honest, it isn't absolutely essential if your garden isn't very exposed and windy. It probably wasn't entirely necessary in my garden, but I had the stake anyhow so felt I might as well!

[@AshWP]

@@GrowVeg Thank you for the information - especially about parameters to use in determining staking/non-staking.

[@isuggsy]

Great vid. Can you offer some advice please? I've got two 4ft trees. One is a pear and the other is plum. Will they pollinate? If they do, how far apart should I plant them? I live in Devon UK. Any info will be greatly appreciated. 😊

[@GrowVeg]

I would think it is unlikely as their genetics will be too different. You'll need to find out what varieties they are and then do some research. Some varieties will self-pollinate, but others will need a pollination partner. It may be that there is some natural cross-pollination from nearby trees in neighbour's gardens.

[@hariradhakrishnan7516]

Where to plant cherry tree in the garden can they grow well in partial shades ,still they make enough fruits

[@GrowVeg]

Cherries are best grown in full sun, but acid cherries will cope with some shade.

[@bradleyluft7428]

a few weeks ago I planted a four different pear / pear tree. It's about 7" tall. Do I need to plant a second pear tree?

[@GrowVeg]

If you planted a single pear tree then, if there aren't other suitable pollination partners nearby (that flower at the same time) then you would be wise to plant another, compatible pear tree. However, if you planted a multi-variety tree - where three or more pear trees are grafted onto a single tree - and assuming they are all compatible (will pollinate each other) then you shouldn't need to plant another tree.

[@CatopiaCatSanctuary]

I never asked exactly where abouts in the UK you're from I hail from Westminster County marleybone! However, I now live in the states here in Texas! Fort Worth to be exact! Looking forward to planting an avocado tree loved the tips!

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - an avocado tree. That will be quite something! Most of the videos are made in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

[@zahroohussain7460]

Apologies for the silly question, but how does remove all the blossom? What’s the best way to do so? Thanks

[@GrowVeg]

I'm not sure what you mean Zahroo. You just leave the blossom in place, never remove it. Frost can sometimes cause blossom to drop a bit early - the freezing action can detach it. Which is why we avoid planting in frost-prone areas.

[@zahroohussain7460]

@@GrowVeg hello. I thought you said at around 4.30 to get rid off the blossom in the first year?

[@liamb1226]

Am I able to prune when the blossoms form, it wont shock the tree will it ? Thanks in advance

[@GrowVeg]

Most fruit trees are pruned in the winter, when they are dormant. Pruning early on in the season, when the plant is still in blossom, may shock the tree or open it up to potential infection.

[@jwvautard]

This is actually a question about bushes rather than trees, but watching your video brought it to mind. I have a blueberry bush that really needs to be potted on or repotted with the addition of compost and other nutrient matter. Is it too late to do that now (1-16), or should I wait until spring?

[@GrowVeg]

I'd get on and do it now, while the plant is still dormant, so that when it starts growth again in spring there's fresh potting mix to grow into.

[@HeHealsOurWounds]

Hello, I'm Uk based, and have subscribed some time ago and love your channel.😊 *Please can you advise me on how/when to plant my bare root Granny Smith Apple and Cherry tree?* I bought them about a week ago (last week of Feb 2024) but in the UK they've been saying we'll have frost/snow in some areas, so I had no.choice but to bring them inside the home after purchase (for just over a week now) I m an absolute beginner at gardening. NEVER planted trees before. I'm really scared the roots may be drying out as the only room I could fit them in,, doesn’t let me turn off the radioator. It's away from it, but still..... The heating is on between 2-3 hours daily, mainly late night. Early a.m. occasionally for an hour in the daytime. I'm *really scared* I may have killed them. I've not opened the bags if either tree yet to check the roots because I've had builders in my place and am so very busy juggling other things. *Would you suggest I cut the bag open and inspect the roots/immerse them in a bucket of plain water to hydrate them?* I know they're not citrus, but I do have citrus powder feed for my lemon trees. *Do you suggest I use a bit of that in the water? Or not?* I'm aware that some trees get transplant shock, and going from a fairly warm home to the very cold outside, I'm worried may kill them. I thought about putting them in pots then wrapping the pot edges in layers of bubble wrap and straw for the top.of the soil. *Do you wrap the base of the pot as well, if the ground is frozen/concrete frozen or is it not necessary? What are your thoughts on that please?* *Would you say that keeping them in a large pot will restrict their height?* (May make it easier to prune if it survives?) From root to top, they are around 5ft 10 at present. *If I plant them in the ground, should I iuse the blood fish and bone pellets around the roots?*(I have that) - wouldn't have a clue how much to use? *I also have multi-purpose compost and some from a friends compost bin which she says will be very rich. Again, what are your thoughts on this please? * *I bought some "Natural Rooting Powder"- (seaweed based) a while ago;- Haven’t used it yet. *Would you suggest I use that? * Or I think I may have bought *Potash* and buried it somewhere in my cupboards. Again never used it yet...?*What are your thoughts on that please?* I'll end it there before this turns into a novel! *Many thanks in advance.for your reply* *Best wishes* 😊, Lisa

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Lisa. I would get your plants outside immediately and get them planted asap. Having them indoors would do more harm than having them experience frost etc. These trees are completely hardy and it's fine for them to experience frost and snow. So get them outside the moment you read this and get them planted! I would dig over the area they are to be planted. You could add in a small handful of blood fish and bone pellets into their planting holes and fork this in when you come to plant them. I reckon it would be better to plant them into the ground rather than containers if you can - they will grow best this way and be a lot easier to look after.

[@HeHealsOurWounds]

Thank you so much! That is extremely helpful! Since writing that message, I hadn't seen your reply.( My screen had made my mesage to you disappear, making me think I hadn't posted it correctly. .I'm so glad I checked again now and have seen your reply! However I put the roots into a bucket of rain water for around 4 days (before I saw this message.) Finger's crossed I hope it will be ok!

[@melaniee8781]

Hi, I'm in Texas! I got a tree from home depot online a bare root multiple apple, it's not dead but having issues not putting out leaves, some little buds. It's in a self watering container and I spilled out the water from the reservoir because it stunk. Should I make sure it's emptying?

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, you don't want the roots ever sitting in water like that. It needs to drain through. If the water is stinking that means it's been sat around and is going anaerobic.

[@melaniee8781]

@@GrowVeg oh no, thank you so much

[@20alexmc08]

Any recommendations were to buy fruit trees from online?

[@GrowVeg]

If you are in the UK somewhere like Chris Bowers (www.chrisbowers.co.uk/) or Ashridge Trees (www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/) are very reliable.

[@20alexmc08]

@@GrowVeg thanks

[@Roxy222uk]

Thank you for an informative video. I am awaiting a bare rooted apricot tree which I bought in a fit of optimism during the summer (it's a variety bred for the UK climate) and it couldn't be lifted until recently because of the warm weather preventing dormancy. I've been feeling a bit intimidated about planting it so this video has helped. One question, we have clay soil and a foot down is a thick layer of chalk. It is really hard work chipping away at it with a trowel (I can't work it with a spade). Have you any tips? Does chalk drain and allow roots or is it like a thick barrier? We rent so we can't do anything too dramatic in the garden to sort it out.

[@GrowVeg]

The advantage with chalk and chalky soils is that they drain quite well, so the tree shouldn't be sitting in water/very wet soil - which can be an issue in our wet winters. The best thing you can do is to add plenty of compost when planting (to the whole area, not just the planting hole) to really help break up the soil a bit. One foot of soil is probably enough for the tree to get well established, and the roots, once they get going, should be able to push through.

[@Roxy222uk]

Thank you for your reply, I wondered whether the chalk layer made the clay nature of the soil worse or better, and it seems it might help. My tree has arrived and is now planted, with hopefully enough compost dug in in the surrounding area. It looks very professional with the mulch round it and I'm quite impressed with myself.

[@wizmaster9059]

Hello im from greece i study computer science and i want to plant 200 trees of cherries you think that its possible to do all this thing for all the trees. Thanks for your time nice vedio

[@GrowVeg]

That may take a bit of time, but it's certainly achievable. Bare-rooted trees would be the cheapest to buy, but need planting when dormant in the winter. Check out my grow guide to cherries: www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-grow-your-own-delicious-cherries/

[@adam11wilson]

Do you have to worry about frost with young trees

[@GrowVeg]

No you don't. The only thing to watch out for is if a severe frost heaves/lifts the soil and unsettles the tree - in which case just firm it back in. But this is unlikely.

[@deonbryan6975]

What would you do if planting in a container

[@GrowVeg]

I'd select a container slightly bigger than the current root system of the tree and then, holding the tree in position, feed in potting soil around the roots, while shaking the tree from time to time to get it into all of the gaps. And firm every now and then as you fill. Very similar process to planting in the ground really.

[@Dormousey]

We have many fruit trees but the squirels eat all the fruit. We will get some dwarfs for a future fruit cage.

[@Jane-sf8lh]

Hello! Could you, please, advise me, where I can buy a Yellow Cherry tree??? Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

It's worth checking plant nurseries local to you, or searching 'fruit tree suppliers' online and searching their catalogs. Sorry that's not a more specific answer - stockists will vary depending on your location.

[@sharoncourt75]

aee you in the.usa?

[@mattigue9014]

how often should i water the tree? (spring pear tree)

[@GrowVeg]

It depends on your soil and climate - but maybe really thoroughly once every two weeks in dry weather.

[@mattigue9014]

@@GrowVeg thank you very much