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 The place to begin with fruit trees is researching
the topic. Determine what type of fruit you want to grow, and check
if it will work in our area. Not all fruit varieties, and certainly
not cultivars, do well in our state. Most will do well in our area
with the exception of apricots. For some types you will need at
least two for reliable pollination. Determine if you wanted dwarf,
semi-dwarf, or full size trees. Don’t go too overboard as the dwarf
apple trees will produce at least three bushels of apples in a good
year! Good information on varieties is available from many sources,
just make sure the source is reputable. University information, from
sources such as University of Illinois, Purdue, or Michigan State,
is very reliable. Many nurseries are also good sources.
Next, get the trees bought. Popular choices for small
numbers are container trees and bare root trees. The container trees
most typically are at local stores where you will pick them up,
while bare root trees are usually shipped from a nursery. Many
popular varieties are hard to find this time of year.
Select an area with good drainage and full sun to plant in. Dig a
hole large enough that the root system will fit. Full size trees
should have the graft below the soil line or at the depth it was
planted at when at the nursery. The dwarf and semi-dwarf should have
the graft about three inches above the soil line. If you know your
soil is deficient in nutrients, place nutrients such as phosphorus,
potassium, or lime in with the tree.
Pruning promotes new growth, allows for better air movement within
the tree for helping reduce disease pressure, and allows for easier
spraying and picking. The three main tools for pruning are pruning
shears, loppers, and a saw. The shears and loppers should be the
bypass type, as this produces clean cuts without crushing. Pruning
is more of an art than a science, and takes time. The best time for
most fruit trees is during dormancy such as December to early March.
Cherries are the exception due to disease concerns, and they are
best pruned in the summer.
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 There are a few basic places to start: take out
branches going straight up or straight down, take out branches
growing toward the center of the tree, and
eliminate crossing branches.
Proper pruning will cut back to a bud or branch to
direct growth in the desired direction.
Regular fertilization programs using the major nutrients should
begin in the second year, if it is even needed. The best time to
apply is during early spring in the Midwest to allow the tree to
best use the fertilizer. For the home orchard, fertilize with an
even analysis fertilizer such as 10-10-10. The first number is
nitrogen, the second is phosphorus, and the third is potassium.
Fertilize fruit trees based on nitrogen needs. Many rules of thumb
exist for fertilizer rates and growth rates of trees. Fertilizer
rates are .1 pounds of nitrogen per years you have had the tree in
the ground. A tree you planted 10 years ago would be one pound of
nitrogen, so 10 pounds of 10-10-10 spread in the root zone of the
tree.
For growth rates, trees which haven’t started bearing fruit should
grow about 15 to 30 inches per year. Trees bearing fruit should grow
about half of that per year. Less growth means add some fertilizer,
and excess growth means cut back.
The last item to cover is spray programs. These are really necessary
to produce quality fruit, and keep leaves healthy. For the most
part, sprays are needed every 10 days to two weeks from spring to
fall. Start when the leaves are about a half inch long, and stop
when the products you are using hit the days to harvest limitation
on the label.
Both traditional and organic programs are available. A good program
controls both insects and diseases.
Home Fruit Tree Spray is a premixed option for a traditional
program, just make sure to stop spraying during the bloom period
with this to protect pollinators. During bloom, a fungicide such as
captan is used by itself. Organic programs use various horticultural
oils, lime sulfur, insecticidal soap, spinosad, and Bt for control.
Once again, check with a reputable source for a designed spray
program whichever way you choose to go.
These are some of the basics which will help you plan your backyard
fruit tree planting. The fruit trees can be a rewarding hobby, or a
small business opportunity for those who wish to give it a try.
Start with good stock, take proper care, and in a few short years
you will be enjoying your own fruit.
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