Totally Preventable Mistakes When Planting Fruit Trees

This list of do's and don’ts will help you prevent some seriously preventable mistakes when planting fruit trees in your home orchard. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

[@jennav211]

I’m an ISA certified arborist and this video was spot on for most things. The only additional tips I have are plant the tree slightly above the surface level as it will settle over time and can end up being low. The reason you don’t backfill with light weight soil is that water can easily settle there in the air pockets. Thus in a way creating a mini pond around the tree. Overwatering or these practices are typically the number 1 killed of new plants. Also I would always recommend a root growth hormone with planting trees. Generally kelp based products help speed up root growth as whatever container they were sold to you in is far inadequate. Don’t fertilize the tree in the first year and in most soil conditions fertilizing will just make the tree rely on your feeding it. Checking ph conditions or doing a simple soil test will let you know the issues you might face nutrient wise. Mending ph over time and allowing the roots to grow will ensure a strong tree with high fruit yield. Remember reproduction is not as important to a tree as survival.

[@ememman1460]

I thought you said abortionist lol Edit- I have a question. I plan on growing moringa trees. You said not to use fertilizer the first year. How about seed fertilizer during germination?

[@cwavt8849]

Thank you for adding to the video, which has changed the way that I will plant my trees tomorrow. Now, I will implement your advice as well.

[@stephaniealbiston8381]

I have two trees I planted that did great then died. These are all great tips to try again.

[@artbyrobot1]

@@ememman1460 he's talking about a transplanted tree, not trees from seed

[@dl8619]

Zone 8b Georgia I've planted several fruit trees from figs,citrus,peach,pear,nectarines,pecans,persimmon ,oak and on and on I've only lost 2 and they were both key limes those things are finicky.

[@eileenmcloughlin4778]

Message from, an experienced Arborists wife, about planting trees. I would have liked to see you do a complete (from start to finish ) video on planting a tree. All the way with the mulching included! I believe that would be an outstanding choice! Thank you for your GREAT videos.

[@ainavirin]

I managed to convince my parents to let me try a small fruit tree in our yard this year! I am loving these videos! They are so informative!

[@ameliatribeofissachar7311]

Fantastic 😁

[@vynguyen6376]

Hey good luck and look for updates on your new tree

[@rbux1636]

How's the fruit tree doing?:)

[@ainavirin]

@@rbux1636 Ah, unfortunately, the nursery I bought it from had trouble with their apricots, and mine died with the big heats we had where I live. It was too fragile. I learned a lot, still, so it's not all bad. There's always next year! Thanks for the ask! Hope you're doing well!

[@Undead1987]

@@ainavirin Thank god it died

[@lovesdiy5660]

My peach from seed has peaches year 4.

[@LionessKeya9]

That's awesome I'm gonna try and plant some this year also 💜👍🏿

[@PerpetualJoy]

Did they come out okay? I'd love to try to plant some seeds but I'm nervous that the fruit won't be good :/

[@Russell4896]

@@PerpetualJoy that’s the risk you take with planting from seeds, but it can also be rewarding, you never know how good it’ll be, heck you could even get a new variety not in the market and make money off of it if it’s really good

[@michelleprull4105]

I planted a few peaches from seed about 3 years ago and the trees grew up like a rocket! Can’t wait to see if I get fruit this year. They are much hardier than the one I bought.

[@emeraldstarsx]

More and more I hear about how you shouldn’t put compost/fertilizer in your hole and never knew why. Now I look back at all my failed fruit trees and it’s no wonder! Thank you - I’m glad I changed the way I plant my trees but it was interesting to hear the “why”!

[@arnaldo35]

Thanks for this brother. I've deliberating over the spacing my standard fruit trees, thinking they might be too close at about 20 feet trunk to trunk . Many people say they should be like 30+ feet apart etc. Overlapping the foliage makes a lot of sense, and backed up by science.

[@Shaw7373]

I've always done what my gut says "let the tree get used to your soil" "keep the graft point above ground" etc. "Don't stake, let it toughen up" And luckily my gut aligns with the advice

[@jeansroses7249]

thank you! I had read once a long time ago that one shouldn't amend the soil in the planting hole, but I had forgotten, and I did lose the most recent fruit tree I'd planted; so now I'm reminded again, and also now I know not to stake.

[@shereygould9307]

Everything you say in your videos is always so logical I find myself nodding along throughout the whole thing except somehow you coach it in such conversational manner it's like I never heard them before. Great job, as always!

[@kit2130]

sherey gould I was nodding too after I learned something haha very informative!!!

[@pascalxus]

i like how he explains why you need to do these things. that really helps.

[@niyagross9575]

Thank you! We’re getting ready to plant our trees and I’m so happy I saw this before I filled the hole with a compost mix!

[@ccoonnor9953]

Thank you so much I haven't planted anything in about a year and today I just got some seeds as a gift and this video has gotten me back into gardening

[@fizzypop1858]

Ugh, I totally did all the wrong things when I planted my orchard about 6 years ago; however, we sold that property a few months after and they removed all of the orchard anyway so they could use it as field for animals. This video is full of information that I totally needed, Luke. We are planning out our garden and orchard space this year and this video was perfect timing for me, because I would have made the same mistakes about fertilizing and amending and all the wrong things. Thank you so much for your awesome channel and sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@cqammaz53]

So yesterday my husband bought me 2 apples and 2 pear trees and these next couple of days I'm going to learn as much as I can on taking care of my new trees Thank you for sharing

[@TheGreenThumbGardeningChannel]

The love for and the enthusiasm towards gardening that you display in your videos makes your tutorials exciting and inspiring! Always something new to be learned here, thanks for sharing MIgardener!

[@sweetheartpinesfarm3355]

Thank you for the advice, I'm working setting up a home orchad and enrolling in the master gardener course myself. We're taking a permaculture inspired approach and I was definitely happy to see I'm not the only one in Michigan inspired so much by nature and sharing their love for it.

[@MD-cs7jd]

Thank you thank you! This video actually makes me so much more confident about picking up a few fruit trees - less spacing = less land waste, and the simple approach with soil backfill wipes away the endless stress of too many videos telling me I must have JUST the right PH with lime and sand and amendments etc. the year before!

[@Kriszee4]

Thanks so much for all your hard work on youtube! I try to listen to all your tips as closely as possible and it's nice to have a mentor to coach me through things. I am planting fruits and veggies I never would've even thought to attempt and you give me the courage to try. Thank you...your videos and gardening has been the best therapy for me!!!

[@kristinanoall]

Loved this video! I’ve been learning so much about gardening lately, but often when I think I know what you’re going to say (“of course he’ll say to back fill the hole with some good compost...), I end up learning more, and realizing how much I have left to learn. I hope you do an update on your fruit trees this year!

[@cindypenny2139]

So so pleased I watched your video first. It has put me right on a few scores and simplified my process. No staking or additives required for soil. Wonderful!

[@HadleyHowie]

I am starting an orchard in my yard! Thank you for your tips.

[@vistillia]

I have several bushes and trees to plant in the next couple of days. Bless you and your timing on this episode.

[@debbiesampath1179]

Thank you! I just bought a peach and nectarine tree to plant this fall so this video was perfect! I was gonna add compost to the soil, but now I know not to do that. Love your videos! Will continue to watch then because I learn so much from them! Wishing you continued success!!

[@mic7735]

We just purchased the beginnings of our home orchard. Should be planting within the next few weeks. Thanks for the timely info!

[@HaywireHomestead]

We are picking up a few new trees this weekend. This video came at the perfect time

[@Willowtable]

I'm just getting ready in Minnesota to plant my mini orchard. Thanks for this video. Glad I caught this. I was taught to amend the soil in the hole. Thanks again.

[@susanleehope3472]

Thank you so much for this short and sweet, very practical" how to" get that little orchard started! We're ready to go!

[@tinareid4863]

We were able to germinate 1 seed from my husband's late father's apple tree. So anticipating the day we can put it in the yard. Love your videos!

[@Foodie_888]

Tina Reid Have you tried taking cuttings from the tree? That is what I did with our fruit trees and saved so much time when comparing to starting from seed.

[@TwoWombatDesigns]

It is also possible that the seed will not create the same Apple. Grafting is the way to go to ensure that you are getting the same Apple type. You are also keeping the tree going this way!

[@tinareid4863]

Foodie would love to have the opportunity ...his home was sold afterwards. Hoping to connect with new owner sometime soon and see if she would be willing to let us take a cutting.

[@Foodie_888]

Tina Reid I am sure the new owner would understand if you explained the situation. Take a few cuttings to be sure you will have success. There are many ways to propogate cuttings but I've had the best success with the technique in the below link. 1. Leave cuttings in water for at least a week 2. Pack cocopeat 3. Insert cutting 4. Poke holes at the bottom of the plastic bags for water absorbtion and creates greenhouse effect 5. Let sit in water for around 2 weeks - should see roots kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaK3nJKBbrV7g7s

[@the1juan2]

You’ll get a completely different tree from that seed, we replicate apple varieties with cuttings. The apples from your new tree may well be inedible, but they could be good for cider!

[@JBV-vb4dq]

thank you for the info, I im preping to plant fruit trees and i was going to amend the hole with compost and fertilizer, now i will just amend the surface, thank you!

[@joykaluf2629]

Thanks Luke! I'm expecting my first fruit trees to be delivered today! I greatly appreciate the helpful advice!

[@maditayloroutdoors1791]

Great video! I'm growing my first garden this year so I've been binge watching your videos lol

[@heartofthenorth8133]

I’ve been subscribed for at least 4 years and I’ve learned a lot from you thank you!

[@hummingbirdhillhomespun5421]

I planted a satsuma plum this year, as one of the trees on my hill...I am hoping I did not mess this one up! I needed this video a while ago. *grin*. Thanks for all the great info as always.

[@jayharbert8675]

Thank you for taking time to share your knowledge! You are a great teacher and I look forward to learning more from you!

[@markthompson8019]

You are a mind reader. On the past weekend I FINALLY started my garden after procrastinating all these years. I used the Lasagna method and was pleased with the outcome (SO FAR). I also wanted to get some fruit trees. I've got friends in various parts of TX who have purchased fruit trees from retail stores and have had big success. I started asking all the questions that you've answered in the this and the last video. I was looking at the instructions on the trees and they talked about AMENDMENT and STAKING. I'll be buying my trees this coming weekend knowing that I've got it RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. Thanks

[@rafa106900]

I love your new video without the intro music. You get in right to what I am looking forward to about fruit and veggies. Keep up the information and the new set up. Thanks!

[@jamesdonalfaulkner]

Indeed God save us from irrelevant, confusing background music!

[@kathleenvanzandt2221]

Most of this was counter intuitive for me so I had to change my planting plan especially heavily lining the hole with compost. I'm going to follow and trust your instructions.

[@southsidecarly7427]

Great information! I have made the mistake of amending the backfill , but now I understand how that can stunt the growth. Thanks so much for the video

[@paulwrite369]

This information is so vital! This explains so much!

[@MegaKidneyboy]

I'm about to plant a pear tree and came by this video at random, glad I did lol..Thank you for the info

[@PaintAllThat]

I love that you are able to present a lot of information in a friendly yet concise video. I listen to your videos while doing routine chores so short pieces are useful. Also, you seem to research material thoroughly which gives me confidence in your methods. I also like that you are planting in a similar climate to mine which is zone 4/5.

[@brandykimani8402]

Super informative. I'm so glad I watched before I planted our apple trees! thank you so much!

[@thehustlinhomemaker1467]

Thank you for making this!!! Ever got three apple trees going in and this was extremely helpful!

[@v8v83838]

Thank you for this very informative video. I lost a few fruit trees and was about to give up on them, but I now know what I’ve been doing wrong. I’ve been planting them not necessarily too deep, but I would form a ledge around the perimeter to hold water in 😬. Thank you teacher😉

[@MrDanrn999]

Thank you, for making this video.

[@ryanford8]

My wife and i are just starting our orchard, thank you for all the great info! You rock man, i really appreciate that you explain the reasons behind the advise you are giving. I have been to many channels where they give the advise as "this is the traditional way". you have a Subscriber here for sure :) Two green thumbs up!

[@AllCapeTree]

Great video as always! I just wanted to point out in regards to backfill while planting (as a certified arborist in my state) that soil quality is drastically different in certain parts of the country. If our soil were as beautiful and rich as your soil is in the video, I would certainly just backfill with the original soil. Where I live (on Cape Cod, MA) we're essentially on a sandbar, and in most towns we're never 3-4 inches away from 95% sand. In small pockets we have 80% clay, or just plain glacial rock. If we were to backfill with either sand or clay directly without amending the tree would decline and die 9 times out of 10 from drying out or drowning. To amend the sand we use a large amount of peat moss to add organic material for beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae to bond. We normally also have to add some degree of compost or manure, because of the extreme leaching effects of the sand of the available nutrients in the immediate area. We mix it directly in the hole to encourage the spread of the native bacteria and mycorrhizae already in the soil (sand). Organic matter slows this considerably and is a very important aspect of planting here. For clay, we dig a much , much larger hole, add sand, then gravel, sand, peat moss/sand mix. With flowering and fruiting trees we do indeed cut back the amount of manure or fertilizer added to the hole, while also using a rod and deep root irrigating in a grid pattern with the appropriate mycorrhizal blend for the species planted. Love your channel! Keep at it! Absolutely awesome!

[@samzsong4652]

Thank you for this comment. We just planted a bunch of trees here in New Hampshire and there is nothing but sand and a thin layer of loam on top. So we added compost to the backfill. Do all your trees last long term with the methods you used?

[@AllCapeTree]

@@samzsong4652 Hi! Yes, we've always had very good results. The trees thrive and survive! As long as they get adequate moisture through the growing season, they do incredibly well! Good luck with your trees!

[@samzsong4652]

@@AllCapeTree this gives me some hope that we didn't mess up, thanks!

[@jameshavenhomestead6055]

@jon B This give me hope! After watching this video I thought we planted our last few trees wrong! We are all sand and we added some top soil/compost to the holes. Was thinking we should dig them back up and remove the compost!

[@kellyriddell5014]

Thank you so much. Where I am in Appalachia, most of our soil is either hard clay or rock. I worried about putting all that heavy clay back on the pecan trees I ordered... It just doesn't seem right. Almost nothing will grow properly in our native soil where we live without some compost to help. I think I'll just dig a REALLY big hole and try to make it mostly clay with some compost, as well mixed together as I can get it. That way hopefully they'll have a lot of room to grow into and be big and strong enough to persevere into the clay if and when they get there.

[@TheSeedsower107]

Thanks you for another extremely helpful video Luke. I've got my trees and I'm ready to plant my orchard this year . All of the info I needed in one short video :)

[@kimberlym3764]

I'm looking forward to starting a small home orchard soon. Thanks so much for the informative video!

[@laprepper3533]

Thanks for the info. I was going to backfill with nice lush compost and garden soil. Local soil is very sandy, so I will amend the surface. Excellent.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

wow you just stopped me from making 2 of those mistakes!!! THANK YOU. Picking up my very first apple trees tomorrow.

[@jeffereyhopkins750]

Great advice. The root stock is a different type of fruit in the same and usually a type that is not tasty. the root stock is done for disease resistance and other positive qualities.

[@sharongodbout9014]

Excellent tips Luke Thank you!

[@nabubito]

Bought pear and peach trees today and will use your knowledge. Thanks!

[@moigoi4957]

Great information. I work with arborists in establishing young trees, and all the information in this video matches what I've learned.

[@sandramontalvo4998]

So much important information in this video. I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@latinkaellis152]

Wooow,thank you soo much for this tips,I just discovered in one video why almost all of my trees are stunned and ill looking-Im overdoing it-filling underneath and the sides with compost and loose stuff for example. Thank you,I love your chanel :D

[@danib6541]

Thank you I’m just about to plant my first fruit trees! great information that I didn’t know!

[@huutam82]

Glad you’re spreading accurate information. There’re so many youtuber telling people to spend money to put useless and harmful stuff into the hole like mycorrhiza, epsom salt, fertilizer, rock dust 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@lindachavez1726]

Thank you for the awsome tips. We are getting ready to plant trees next year on our property we just bought. Would love to see more on zones and when to plant. Love your channel.

[@leonarddavis3684]

Thank you, I always learn things from you Luke Some times right after i plant, like today.

[@antoinettewilliams5308]

Exactly. I planted my pear tree a week ago and today this video us posted, lol

[@danakarloz5845]

😂

[@christophergruenwald5054]

My house build has been using your advice for building an orchard🤣 7 years in! I’ll get it done one of these days!

[@mistysedillo8954]

Wow, never knew this! Thank you🌻

[@sir.smokalotc4737]

Great video. I love how you are always in such a positive mood. Been watching your videos for a couple years and enjoy each one of them. Keep up the great work positive vibes from Southern Cali

[@sirjohnahayfalcon]

Would love to get blazed with him too , smart fella n positive

[@bhavadasaacbsp3274]

I learned alot from this video! Wish I saw it before. Anyway putting in six more this weekend-the right way!

[@nateellenberger6043]

Great tips on how not to use nutrient rich soil "in" the hole when planting trees or bushes. I did not know that until now. I have a rose bush (bought from Walmart, and planted in spring 2020) and it is stalling out at the moment. I'm having this issue with only this one rose bush . The issue might be that I filled the hole with rich soil and the bush is now stressed. She ended up having flowers, but they were small and with little stem growth. I learned my lesson not to fill the holes with rich soil just to eliminate one more variable if I am having issues. Thanks again Luke, buddy! I learn something new almost each time I watch one of your videos.

[@TheMacs1]

Great video, learned a lot and trying to understand more about fruit and yield! Thanks !

[@patientwolf4444]

Awesome video. This is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. My lady and I just bought a couple apples, a plum, cherry, and some peach trees, as well as, blueberry/ raspberry bushes, and some grapevines. lol!

[@AquaLady153]

Love your videos. Very educational and to the point!

[@moewilson4605]

I am off to Costco to buy a couple of pear trees and two flowering trees. Watching this video really helped. I happened to lose two trees just this past year. A crabapple that we had successfully transplanted and was starting to flourish in its third year was toppled in a wind storm when part of a large red maple branch crushed it. We then had something eat our new pear tree over winter. Our fault as we should’ve wrapped it in burlap. The netting and posts we had around it did not prevent a critter from eating the branches and bark on the poor little pear tree. I will look for a video of yours on wintering young trees. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[@2Birds1Stone_]

Can't wait to see your orchard progress!

[@kevfisher8050]

The day before watching I planted two bare root apple trees. A Fuji and and combo tree. I dug the holes hauled off the old dirt and added nice fresh beautiful compost.....and planted both trees....then I watched the video..... On a side note Today I pulled both trees, removed all the beautiful compost and added in the old dirt and replanted them.... So glad I saw this video! Who would have thought adding beautiful compost would be a bad thing? Thanks!

[@littlefootstepsbiglearning7928]

GREAT VIDEO! We are planting peach trees here in Michigan and all the info you shared was super helpful! I'll be checking out your other videos!

[@brandongraham2088]

Thanks so much I would of made alot of those mistakes.Your videos are empowering feels like I was given a few master class gems!!Thumbs up!

[@servihomestead4324]

Great stuff, as always, Luke!

[@yolandasotolopez]

good information

[@suphaters]

Thanks. I learned a lot from this video. Great point about planting trees farthest to the west so that newer trees planted more eastward can get sun. I totally would have put compost around the new tree if I had not seen this video.

[@Oktopia]

This was very useful and timely. I'm getting fruit tress for the very first time this season. I'm now better equipped to do it well. Thanks! :D

[@yvencia1150]

Great video as always.🌱🦋💕🤗😁

[@colleenstinton-czuprynski9894]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@ralphrehcok]

Thank you for all the videos. Learning a lot from you guys. Classy very classy

[@bhavanisurisetty6862]

Lots of good information thanks for sharing

[@BrenHaas]

Great video... you inspire me to share a video from our orchard here in Ohio. I can't wait to see your trees grow!

[@McSnicker55]

Wish I could give this video three thumbs up! I've started my fruit orchard just last month. Zone 5B, Peaches and Sweet Cherries. Cherries will stay kind of short, but am pruning the central leader on the peaches to try to keep them under 12 feet. Thanks for all the useful information!

[@frankdavidson9675]

talking about your peach tree pruning cut it so it looks like an open umberella upside down with the center open take off any limbs lower than 24 inches up from the ground usually late fall to early spring

[@diannebartkus9893]

Yes, Loved this video. looking put Oranges in. This helps a lot! Thank you!

[@kortlandwood3311]

I was hoping to start an orchard this year, so this was SUPER helpful. Something I'd like to see is maybe about getting starts through the mail, you mentioned it in the video where you said to dig a square hole instead of a circular one. I'd love to have a few different varieties rather then just what I can get from tractor supply, or home depot. Starting a tree from seed would be an awesome thing to learn about too.

[@artbyrobot1]

trees aren't true to seed so they taste like trash generally and rarely are edible - that's why when a rare seed makes a yummy tree taste, we take cuttings and do graftings onto rootstock to propagate that rare seed.

[@bobvan2576]

Thanks for all the helpful tips as I'm about to head outside and plant the lil' peach tree I grew from a seed! :)

[@kr4awkr4aw5]

Great video with fantastic information thank you

[@DavidJones-we2ex]

Thanks, this video helps alot.

[@andrewpugliese9927]

You're the man! Thanks for all the videos!

[@flintstonegirl3372]

Great video! Thanks for the information 😊. Just ordered 22 packs of seeds. Cant wait to plant em next yr.❤

[@davidsthoughts60]

Very informative, you gave some great tips and instructions that I haven't seen on other videos.

[@typolive8663]

Great info. Thank you! Appreciate your lessons and tips. God Bless

[@betterstill100]

Great weather for planting fruit trees.

[@austinsensenig9411]

New sub here, thanks for such a good video we are starting a small orchard at our farm and this was the most comprehensive video I could find very helpful!

[@WordEmpowered_mindygalfearnow]

I absolutely learned something! I'm growing apple and cherry trees from seed and they are about 6 inches now and I am watering them twice a day even when the soil is still wet. I wonder if I am doing it right. Needed help. I like what you said about spacing, that is kne of my questions that have been answered from this video! Awesome!

[@Tinyteacher1111]

You grew the from seed? I don’t know why more people don’t do that. I’m going to try. My grandfather used to grow peach trees and cherry trees and the peaches were like nothing I’ve tasted since! He was an old Belgian!

[@Jeff7619922]

@@Tinyteacher1111 The reason why most people don't grow from seed is because the variety you will get is unpredictable, and you lose the advantages that are selected for when grafting. Here's an example: Honeycrisp pollinators tend to naturally be varieties of crab apples. There's several other varieties that it can pollinate with, so it all depends on what a bee or other pollinating insect brings it. Honeycrisp's are not self fertile, so they require a few varieties to even get it to fruit. Those varieties are going to determine what kind of apples will produce from the seeds. I've had friends get some really interesting varieties this way, but they also pollinated their trees by hand to do so. Getting the seeds out of a random store apple though is going to be completely random. Mind you, I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it, you might get lucky and get something really interesting. I'm just saying that if you plant a honeycrisp seed, don't expect more honeycrisps.

[@baljeet50]

beautifully explained. Thank You. x

[@robertskerda9962]

very informative, thank you !

[@truthseeker9416]

Great info, i am going to try it out

[@RSJ-Texas]

Really good info Luke !!!

[@ShakilKhan-dt9vt]

Excellent Very Simple and logical to avoid fundamental mistake while planing a tree