
University of California
UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County
Planting Bare-Root Fruit Trees
Planting your bare root apple tree
by SCMG Joe Michelak


Placement of the tree in one’s yard is critical, as fruit trees require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to produce enough carbohydrates for growth and the development of fruit. Without adequate sunlight, the tree may not set fruit spurs, or producing buds. Also, without adequate light the fruit set may be light, the color may be poor, the fruit will not size up properly, and the sugar level in the fruit will not have the desired level of sweetness, making one question why it was planted in the first place!
Ongoing care of apple trees

Thinning of the fruit is very important in the control of the moth as the moth will go from one fruit to another if the fruit are touching. In the beginning of May, thin the fruit set to one fruit per spur and one fruit approximately every six inches along the branch. Finally, be certain to remove, either from the tree or on the ground, any infected fruit. The removal of the fruit should continue throughout the growing season. This fruit should be destroyed. DO NOT put this fruit into the compost, or you will have further infestation from the contaminated fruit.
Do not rush the tree into production by leaving too much fruit on during the first few years after planting. It is best to remove all fruit on the tree until the third year. This allows the tree to get well established and for the pruning and shaping of the canopy during those formative years of growth.
Aside from the summer pruning to control size mentioned above, apple trees should be pruned in the winter dormant season, initially to encourage the tree to develop a strong, solid branching structure and then on an ongoing basis to maintain shape and encourage fruit production. This generally means cutting out crossing branches, competing leaders, upward growing inside branches and downward growing branches. Some varieties produce suckers, which are best removed as soon as possible. They are the shoots that grow from the rootstock around the base of the tree. They can often be pulled off when small, or cut with a pruner. If desired, you can treat then with Sucker Stopper, which prevents them from growing back.
Once all of the winter pruning has been completed it is imperative that a dormant spray be applied to the entire tree and the ground immediately under the tree canopy. This spray, which consists of dormant oil and Liqui-Cop, helps to reduce the population of insects which are detrimental to the well being and health of the tree. It also promotes the production of good fruit.