Fall Fruit Tree Planting?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I want to plant a few fruit trees. Is fall a good time to plant, or am I better served to wait until spring?

All the fruit trees I see for sale are either dwarf or semi dwarf. I would really prefer a full sized tree. Are most all fruit trees now of a dwarf variety?

 

[BruceWard]

How do the trees you are seeing look? In my area all the trees at the local stores look dead.

Last year I found a local store closing out 5 gallon fruit trees for $5 each in early winter. The trees did not have leaves but it was late enough in the year that the leaves should have already fallen. I bought 14 and planted them right away. This spring most of them had some leaves but between deer eating the leaves and drought 6 of the 14 are growing and have leaves. I have been watering them weekly for the last 6 weeks or so. At this point with 6 living and a total spend of $70 I have paid an average of $11.66 per living tree.

 

[Marveltone]

I typically plant my apple trees in the early spring. That gives the root system a good chance to take hold before winter comes. But, then again, we have particularly harsh winters up here, so you may be able to get away with fall planting better than I.

Joe

 

[bp fick]

Autumn, after the trees have gone dormant, say around November 5th is the best time for leaf bearing trees. However, picking them out now, while the leaves can still be examined is important.

Water them in very good to expel the air pockets and if November is dry, for some odd reason, you will need to water every 4-7 days. If November/December are timely with moisture, you'd be just fine. The ground doesn't dry out in these months as it does in June through August. I find it very, very difficult to do spring planting of trees. YMMV.

 

[MossRoad]

Fall is an excellent time to plant trees. There are no leaves that the roots have to support and nourish. The plant can direct all energy towards root growth.

As for the size of the trees, do some google searching for the sizes of dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard trees. Many home gardeners do not want standard sized trees because they can get huge!

 

[Marveltone]

My first reply was a little short, and lacking information :ashamed:. I guess I should have added that planting season tends to be regional, with late fall to early winter being preferable in the south, while early spring tends to be more the norm in the more extreme northern climates. That being said, it's generally accepted that planting takes place sometime between October and April.

As bp fick said, YMMV. :thumbsup:

Joe

 

[dex3361]

I want to plant a few fruit trees. Is fall a good time to plant, or am I better served to wait until spring?

All the fruit trees I see for sale are either dwarf or semi dwarf. I would really prefer a full sized tree. Are most all fruit trees now of a dwarf variety?

I had the best survival rate from trees ordered and sent as bare rooted trees. The arrive with all of the feeder roots in tack wrapped in damp shredded newspaper. Then I soak them in water for about 5 or 6 hours and plant them in the ground.

 

[gauthier]

Spring.

 

[2458n]

There is the saying ,"fall is for planting". Put them to bed wet is another often heard term with landscaping. Are you looking for shade or fruit? The romance of having apple trees quickly fades with a yard of rotting fruit to mow. I perfer the dwarf trees for fruit as they can be maintained with less pruning. One tree is thirty years old and only 6 ft. tall. Although they are a great deal work -fresh apple cider is a pretty good reward.

 

[JCB]

Hobby,

regarding trees, I always go with the sooner the better. This fall and next spring being equal....go with this fall!

Joe