The document provides guidance on growing tree fruits, including choosing a well-drained site with full sun, planting techniques such as depth and mulching, watering regularly after planting to encourage root growth, fertilizing in subsequent years, and using organic mulch and pest control methods to keep trees healthy. It also recommends selecting cultivars that are adapted to the site's conditions and intended use.

1. Tree Fruits

2. [email_address]

3. Delicious harvest Beauty in several seasons – attractive flowers, form, fruits Growing surprisingly easy

4. CHOOSING A SITE Very well drained soil Full sun Some protection from strong winds Slight slope for drainage Fertile soil with no competition from weeds, power lines, rocks, other trees

5. Planting Bare root - prune broken roots Potted - remove from pot, clip circling roots Dig hole two to three times width of roots or soil ball Gently slope sides of hole

6. Planting Plant tree at same depth as in nursery or container Place graft at least six inches above soil to allow for settling Place root ball on slight pedestal of undisturbed soil, up to 1/3 above grade if soil is wet

7. Planting Backfill hole with same soil that was removed Don’t amend soil

8. Planting Build 3-4" high soil dike around root ball to retain water Mulch with 3-5" of organic mulch, keeping it at least 2" from trunk Water well

9. Tree paint Paint trunk up to second branch or bud with white latex paint, diluted 50-50 with water Prevents sunscald By the time the paint flakes off, bark strong enough to withstand full strength of sun

10. Watering Water is key to stimulating new roots to replace those lost when dug After planting, water well to get rid of air pockets

11. Watering If rain not plentiful, must provide irrigation inch of water every week to ten days rain gauge Don’t overwater - tender roots easily drown Long, deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting

12. Fertilizing Don’t fertilize newly planted tree In subsequent years, in early spring give tree 1/4 to 1/2 pound of fertilizer per year of age (to a maximum of ten pounds) If prune heavily in dormant season, this acts as stimulus, so don’t fertilize that year.

13. Mulch 3-4 inches organic mulch protects plant roots prevents evaporation moderates soil temperatures keeps weeds down Organic mulch feeds tree compost, rotted sawdust, pine needles, oak leaves, clean straw, shredded bark

14. Mulch Pull mulch back two feet from trunk before winter to keep rodents from damaging tender bark

15. Pests and diseases Good cultural practices will keep plants healthy and reduce stress regular watering and fertilizing remove all fallen fruits and leaves remove weeds that may harbor pests in fall Prune to improve air circulation remove insects by hand or strong spray of water remove diseased branches or leaves and dispose of them use barriers and traps

16. Pests and diseases Disease-resistant plants Encourage predators One of best defenses in orchard – dormant oil spray before or just as buds swell Controls many different insects Evidence that it helps control some fungal diseases

17. Cultivar Selection Adaptation Cold hardiness Heat tolerance Frost tolerance Days to fruit maturity Date of bloom (frost avoidance) Disease, insect resistance

18. Cultivar Selection Match cultivar to site Adaptation to soil type

19. Cultivar Selection Intended Use Home use Pick-Your-Own sales Retail sales Wholesale sales (processing)