How To Properly Care For A Fruit Tree
One of the most popular favorites among gardeners is fruit trees. With the rising number of antibiotics and GMO being placed in our foods, everyone is going organic and wanting to grow their own sources of food to be safe. Fruit trees, however, are one species that require a particularly large amount of maintenance over other species. We have listed a few tips and tricks to get the most out of your fruit trees in Atlanta.
Watering
This goes for any young species of tree, it is very important to keep up a regular water schedule until the newly planted fruit tree is established. We reccomend applying enough to moisten the soil to about 3-4 feet of depth, which is the extent of most roots.
Fertlizer
A certified arborist can assess the tree and give a healthy recommendation for the amount of fertilizer should be injected into the soil as well as a tree fertilization schedule. However, if you decide to use retail store fertilizer it is important to get the right kind, which would be a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer in a round motion about two feet away from the trees trunk & water immediately to ensure the fertilizer is taken down into nutrients of the roots.
Pruning Your Fruit Tree
Proper pruning is a must and unless you have a decent amount of experience it is important to hire professional tree trimmers in Atlanta to complete this task for you, as it could be detrimental to the health of your tree. When pruning your tree with shears, make sure you use clean, sterilized shears EVERY time you prune. Making sure to rid the tree of any dead branches or sucker growth is essential for supporting optimal growth in the younger years of fruit tree establishment. The most important part of pruning is the time of year it is done. It is vital that the tree is only pruned back in DORMANT season and not at all during summer or spring months. If you have questions regarding pruning fruit trees in Atlanta, please consult a certified arborist who can assist you with your tree care needs.
Pests
Unfortunately, fruit trees are highly susceptible to contracting certain pests such as aphids, etc. This will need to be treated at the first sight of the infestation so that your harvest won’t be threatened. Insecticides can be applied to the tree, if the condition is bad enough, by a certified arborist. Insecticidal soap is available at most home stores and works well for these types of problems.
A few other tips for your fruit trees health include:
Planting fruit trees 10-15 feet away from each other to avoid overcrowding.
Planting 3 feet away from sidewalks or any other structure, as the roots will become invasive.
Plant your fruit trees in a well sunny area.
Inspect your fruit trees often to avoid pests or diseases from taking over the tree.
Mulch around the base of your fruit trees to reduce weeds, ensure optimal soil moisture and prevent erosion.
Thin out the fruit tree by removing excess fruit that may weigh down the branches and prevent the tree from breaking. Less is more.
If you have questions regarding your fruit trees health or care, please give North American Tree Service a call for a free estimate and consultation by a certified arborist today!
