When planting apple trees, a lot can go wrong and make the difference between life and death. Plantura shows what to look out for when planting an apple tree.
If an apple tree (Malus domestica) is to call your garden its new home, the planting of the tree needs to be well planned. The location and the available free space are decisive: Is there enough space for a standard tree or would you like to have the apple tree as a companion on the balcony? In the latter case, a columnar apple tree is the means to an end. But even after the apple tree has moved into its new place, things can still go wrong. We provide an overview so that the planting of your apple tree is sure to succeed.
Plant an apple tree: Apple trees from the pot or as a ball?
With apple trees, a distinction is made between apple trees from the pot, the so-called container goods, and apple trees in the ball. The baled goods are cut out with a ball of earth and planted back in the same way. However, this only works without risk when there are no leaves, so that bales are only available in autumn and early spring. Container goods, on the other hand, are available all year round and can therefore also be planted all year round. However, this comfort also has its price: container plants are usually significantly more expensive than comparable bale goods.
Planting an apple tree: When is planting time?
While container goods can find their way into the ground all year round, you can only plant apple trees as ball goods on frost-free days from October to April. The ideal planting time is in autumn. Due to the mostly wetter weather compared to spring, you can save a lot of watering. The trees take root by spring and already have more growth in the first year. If the tree is not planted until spring, comparatively greater care must be taken to ensure that the tree is always sufficiently supplied with water until it begins to grow. That can mean a few watering cans and linear meters more than would be the case with autumn planting.
Planting an apple tree: The procedure in 10 steps
ThatProper approach to planting the apple tree can be critical to successful growth. Proceed as follows with plants - regardless of whether they are in containers or in bales:
1. Watering an apple tree before planting
Water the apple tree well before planting. If the bale size allows, place the tree in a water-filled vat for a few hours. If you don't have a sufficiently large container at hand, you can simply moisten the bale with water from the watering can and soak it well.
2. Pruning during spring planting
As long as the tree hasn't ended up in the planting hole, it's easier to cut the tree. This may be necessary, at least for spring plantings. Here you can find out in detail how to carry out the so-called pruning of the apple tree.
3. Dig planting hole
A location should be chosen for the planting hole that ensures a distance of 1.5 m to the outer borders. The planting distance between individual trees should be 1.5 to 2.5 m for a bush tree and 4 to 6 m for a half-stem. If you even have space for a standard tree in the garden, you should plan a planting distance of 10 m to ensure good development.
The depth of the hole for the apple tree should be about 20 cm more than the height of the root ball. Also, dig the hole twice the width of the bale.
4. Place stakes
With every planting, it is usually recommended to provide the tree with one or more stakes for additional stability and thus help to ensure long-term straight growth. The stakes should be driven 60 to 70 cm into the ground - if the soil conditions permit - and reach above the ground to the level of the crown.
5. Prepare planting hole
Loosen the bottom of the planting hole. This will make it easier for the developing roots to penetrate the soil and provide the tree with water and nutrients. A layer of compost at the bottom of the planting hole will also have a positive impact on the growth of the newly planted apple tree.
6. Plant apple treeThe be-all and end-all of this step: crown up, root down. Joking aside - judgeShape the apple tree so that the trunk is as straight as possible. The graft site should be at least 10 cm above the soil surface to make infection of the graft site more difficult. It is also important to ensure that the tree does not sit too high so that the root system is washed free over time. Baled goods are usually delivered with a bale cloth that is attached with wire. Neither should be removed under any circumstances, in order not to reduce the stability of the bale. Wire and bale cloth will rot in the ground without leaving any residue.
7. Fill planting hole
Simply reuse the excavation from the planting hole. The amount of excavation will be sufficient in any case. If you want to do something good for your new protégé, you can mix the excavated earth with some compost.
8. Tie up tree
Tie the tree to the support stakes that have been placed. A coconut rope is best suited for this due to its elasticity. Descriptive videos on the Internet describe various techniques that are suitable for tying a tree very well and in small steps.
9. Lay on the watering rim and press down on the soil
After planting you can press down the soil - but not too hard. Over time, the soil will settle anyway from rain and irrigation water. It is more important to create a pouring rim. Excess excavation is piled up in a circle at a sufficient distance from the tree and secured with a shovel or shoe sole.
10. WateringEven if you plant in the rainy autumn, watering of the freshly planted apple tree is necessary. The loosened soil then settles properly, ensuring that the developing roots can reach the water in the soil.
Planting an apple tree: care after planting
So that the apple tree can grow well, it must be watered long after planting. Even in the year following planting, the watering can should still be used regularly to ensure safe growth and future harvest success. It can also make sense to treat the apple tree to nutrients from time to time - you can find out everything you need to know about fertilizing your apple tree here. Regular pruning measures also ensure a he althy, well-developed and high-yielding apple tree, which is why you should definitely read more about pruning hereapple trees.
You can find a detailed overview of apple trees in this article - from cultivation and varieties to harvesting and storage.