We have routinely advised growers in the upper Midwest to plant bare rooted trees mid- to late March, April or June (June? Why not May?). Several research studies have demonstrated the advantages of planting as soon in the spring as the soil conditions will allow. Trees planted in April have a decided advantage over those planted even one month later. As temperatures increase in late spring, trees planted late will break bud sooner and struggle …
When establishing an apple orchard, one of the biggest steps is buying your trees. These resources may guide you to find the right trees and the right nursery and to understand the process of procuring trees.
The most important management decision is selecting where to plant an orchard. Choosing well makes all orchard practices easier. Aboveground concerns include macro-climate and micro-climate issues (low temperatures, air drainage for frost prevention, excessive slope [>20%]), as well as proximity to markets. Belowground concerns include impeded drainage (water saturation and/or compacted subsoil) and low water-holding capacity. Ideal soil texture for apple trees is sandy loam, loam, or silt loam, although apples will grow in a wide range of …
Order trees from a nursery as far in advance as possible, and research the choices before placing your order.
Nurseries become overloaded in late winter with last-minute orders. They may not be able to get your trees to you until it is too late to plant. Ordering early will also give you a better choice of cultivars and rootstocks.
Some nurseries will custom bud or graft a particular cultivar from your orchard …
Dwarf apple tree supported by single wire and conduit with wooden posts no more than 50 ft. apart within the row. Photo: Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts Amherst. |
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When propagated on dwarfing rootstocks, most apple cultivars will lean or fall over as they start to fruit. Trees on dwarfing rootstocks tend to produce heavy crops relative to the size of the tree, and the tree cannot support the weight of the crop. Many dwarf rootstocks also produce relatively shallow, brittle …
► Choose a nursery carefully when ordering trees.
Many nurseries supply fruit trees to commercial and home growers. We’ve assembled lists of some of these nurseries to help you source particular plant material or locate nurseries in your region. As Cooperative Extension educators, our goal is to provide you with basic information and resources to make informed decisions. These lists are for informational purposes only. They are neither comprehensive nor intended to promote any individual businesses.
Big Horse Creek Farm, PO Box 70, Lansing, NC 28643 http://www.bighorsecreekfarm.com/
Boyer’s Nursery and Orchards, RD 2, Biglerville, PA 17307 http://www.boyernurseries.com/
Fedco Trees, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903 http://www.fedcoseeds.com/trees.htm
Moser Fruit Tree Sales, 5329 Defield Rd., Coloma, MI 49038 http://www.forfruittrees.com/
Southmeadow Fruit Gardens, PO Box 211, Baroda, MI 49101 http://www.southmeadowfruitgardens.com/
Trees of Antiquity, 20 Wellsona Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446 http://www.treesofantiquity.com/
Vintage Virginia Apples, PO Box 210, North Garden, VA 22959 http://www.vintagevirginiaapples.com/
White Oak Nursery, 2515 White Oak Rd., …
Adams County Nursery Inc., 26 Nursery Rd., P.O. Box 108, Aspers, PA 17304 http://www.acnursery.com/
Agri-Sun Nursery, 15935 S. Temperance Ave., Selma, CA 93662
Banning Orchards and Nursery, 4000 Grant Rd., East Wenatchee, WA 98802
Boyer Nursery & Orchards Inc., 405 Boyer Nursery Rd., Biglerville, PA 17307 http://www.boyernurseries.com/
Brandt’s Fruit Trees Inc., P.O. Box B, Parker, WA 98939 http://brandtsfruittrees.com/
Burchell Nursery Inc., 12000 State Highway 120, Oakdale, CA 95361 http://www.burchellnursery.com/
Cameron Nursery, 1261 Ringold Rd., P.O. Box 300, Eltopia, WA 99330-0300 …
D&L Nursery, 75 Avenue Joxe, 49100 Angers, France
Janssen Brothers Nurseries Limited, PO Box 2711 6030 aa Nederweert, Holland
Jos Morren Nurseries, Bosstraat 85-85 3545, Halen, Belgium
Nakajima Tenkoen Co., No. 34, 1-Chome Nakajima dori, Higashine City, Yamagata Perf. Japan 999-37
Schrama Nursery, Prof. Zuurlaan 10, 8256 PE, Biddinghuizen, Holland
Star Fruits, Les Genets D’or, No. 14, 84430 Mondragon, France
Viveros Requinoa, Victoria Subercaseaux No. 323, Santiago, Chile
Wiel Willems, Zuidwesterringweg 5-II, 8308 PC Nagele, Holland
As Cooperative Extension educators, …
