Plant your trees as soon as they arrive. If you cannot plant them right away, dig a trench about 1 foot wide and hill them in individually, never in bundles. If possible, make your trench in a sheltered place. When planting the trees never have the root exposed to wind or sun. Keep the well covered and moist up to the moment you plant them. Never put fertilizer or fresh manure into the hole. Watering the trees after planting in spring or in a dry fall is a must, as is additional watering in June, July and August, should the season by dry. The summer watering should be done before the trees show any symptoms of suffering.
When planting apple trees on any of the dwarfing rootstocks, plant them deeper than they were in the nursery but always keep the bud 2-3” above ground level.
After planting, trim 1 year whips of dwarf trees at 24”, semidwarf and standard whips at 32”. Do not leave the whips untrimmed as they would branch out too high. 2 year old trees (apple and pears) should be trimmed back the following way: Completely cut out the two branches which are below the leader. These branches generally make narrow angles and could cause splitting of your trees later on. Shorten the leader and remaining side branches by 1/3 to ½ making sure that the last bud is always facing out.
The leader on peach trees, sour cherry and plum trees should be cut back by ¼ – 1/3 and all the side branches cut back to the second bud from the main stem. This is important, especially with peach trees which might dry out if the branches are not reduced as mentioned above. Cover all cuts on peach trees with tree wax or braco. Keeping you new plantings clean and cultivated for at least the first year is also beneficial.
Remember that the success or failure of a new planting is in your hands. The better you care for your trees, the sooner they will pay back your efforts.