Planting Fruit Trees, Bushes and Vines

Bare-rooted plants should be planted out from late autumn to early spring whilst they are dormant. It is best to plant trees before new root growth starts (usually in early March) and certainly before spring growth begins. Container-grown plants may be planted at any time of year except during very dry weather or when the ground is water-logged or frozen.

After buying your trees, you should always endeavour to plant them in their permanent position as soon as possible. However, if you are unable to plant them immediately, for example because of frosty or very wet weather, you can keep them for a few days in a cold but frost-free shed or garage; preferably in their original packaging. If planting is delayed for more than four days, then you will need to heel them into a moist, frost-free temporary position in the garden. Our section on planting trees has more information on how to store trees.

Planting Tree Fruits

1. Dig a hole that will accommodate the roots comfortably; this should be at least one third wider than the tree's root system. Fruit trees that are to be planted against a wall or fence should be positioned 15–22 cm (6–9 in) away from the support to allow for future expansion of the trunk.
2. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with a spade or fork.
3. Drive in a stake (or stakes) to a depth of 45 cm (18 in) about 7 cm (3 in) from the centre of the hole. Use a single 1.8 m (6 ft) stake for dwarf apple and pear trees being trained as dwarf pyramids or spindle bushes, and two short stakes for trees being trained as bush, half standard or standards. These stakes should come to a height of 60-90 cm (2-3 ft) above the ground, with the tree tied in between. Very-dwarfing rootstocks will need support throughout their lives, whilst other trees may have their support removed after 3 or 4 years.
4. If the plant roots are very dry, cut the tips off and place the roots in water for two hours before planting. Prune back any roots that are excessively long.
5. Slightly mound the soil at the base of the hole and place the tree in the centre, making sure that it is at the same depth as it was before being lifted. Check this using a cane to make sure that the soil mark on the stem is level with the soil surface; the mark should be fairly easy to see, and should be no more than 5 cm (2 in) above the highest roots.
6. Make sure that the union between the rootstock and scion is above soil level, otherwise the scion may begin to root and you will lose the influence of the rootstock.
7. Spread out the tree's roots, then backfill the hole in stages, shaking the tree periodically to ensure that the soil settles in between the roots.
8. Continue filling the hole, and then when finished, tread in well to ensure that the tree is well anchored and that there are no air pockets between the roots.
9. Attach a buckle-and-spacer tie so that the cushion lies between the tree and stake to prevent chafing.
10. Protect the tree from rabbits and other animals using a wire mesh fencing tied in a loose cylinder around the tree. Avoid using forestry type plastic tubes, as these are not suitable for fruit trees.