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6 Steps to Grow a Fruit Bearing Tree

Step 1- Site Selection

Selecting the right location to plant your fruit tree is crucial to its success. Most Fruit trees are full sun trees that require at least 8 hours of sun a day. So be sure to choose a nice sunny location. They also need plenty of air flow and space to grow, it's best to plant them at least 15-20 feet away from any other trees or structures.

Step 2-  Soil Preparation

Before planting your fruit tree, prepare the soil by removing any weeds or grass and add some organic matter such as compost or aged manure to the soil. This will help improve soil quality and provide essential nutrients for your fruit tree. If you are growing from seed, soil should be loosely packed as fruit seeds don't grow well in heavily compacted soil. 

Step 3- Watering

Fruit trees require consistent watering to ensure they flourish.  In general, a fruit tree needs over an inch of water per week. So be sure to water deeply and regularly, especially during hot and dry weather. It's best to water in the morning, as this allows the foliage to dry off during the day and reduces the risk of fungus or disease.

Step 4- Fertilizing

Fruit trees require lots of nutrients to grow and produce tasty fruit. It's recommended to fertilize fruit trees in early spring, just before the buds start to swell. You can use a balanced fertilizer that's high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Just be careful not to over fertilize because it can lead to excessive growth, which actually reduces fruit quantity and quality.

Step 5- Trimming / Pruning

Trimming / Pruning is also an important part of caring for fruit trees, as it helps to promote healthy growth and better fruit production. The best time to trim is in late winter, just before the new growth begins.

When trimming, remove any dead or damaged wood, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You can also remove any branches that are growing straight up, as these are less likely to produce fruit. Be sure to leave a few inches of space between the branches to allow for proper air circulation and sunlight.

Step 6- Pest and Disease Control

Fruit trees are susceptible to a variety of pests, fungi  and diseases, so it's important to take steps to prevent these issues. One of the most effective way to prevent any problems is to keep your tree healthy through proper watering, fertilization, and trimming.

The use of organic pest control methods such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, or an organic pesticide will help circumvent pests and can be purchased at your local nursery. However, If you notice any signs of disease, such as brown spots on the leaves or fruit, be sure to remove and dispose of the affected plant parts to prevent the disease from spreading.

   Following these steps will help to ensure your fruit tree has the best chance to survive and thrive. It will require a little time and effort, but the reward will be well worth it!

Is Mulch Killing Your Trees?

       Homeowners and lawn care professionals often use mulch as a staple when designing landscapes. Why wouldn't they, this stuff is great isn't it?  It's a cost-efficient way to help keep the weeds down and it will give any yard a cohesive well-manicured look. All that said, is mulch good for trees or bad?

      To answer that question, there's a couple things to consider including type of mulch and the application of the mulch.

       There are two basic types of mulch, inorganic and organic. Inorganic mulch is composed of different kinds of shredded and chipped up rubber and plastics. This type of mulch holds in a lot of heat which in turn causes most trees and plants to wither. The soil beneath doesn't breathe well either which kills beneficial insects and organisms needed to maintain healthy soil. So, most professionals prefer organic mulch. It is made up of shredded pine needles, coconut husks, leaves, and compost. It holds in moisture which helps to cool trees and plants in extreme heat. Because it's made of organic material, it decomposes and replenishes the soil fertility.

     Now we have chosen organic mulch, what can go wrong?  Well a lot, it's very important to apply it correctly. The layering of mulch should never exceed 2 to 4 inches. Never add new mulch on top of the old mulch. Always remove the old mulch and recycle it or dispose of it. ( I like to recycle my old mulch along my fence line to help reduce weeds sprouting along my fence). Heavy layering will cause the mulch to become over saturated. The bottom most layer will "sour" and rot. It will  begin to smell pretty bad and attract a whole host of unwanted insects. The excess moisture could also cause the tree or plant roots to rot.

       So the over all answer is, when used properly organic mulch can be very beneficial to your trees. Just make sure to avoid the "Mulch Mountain!"

Alert! Ice Storm Warning!

  The National Weather Service has issued an ICE STORM WARNING for West Tennessee! Prepare for icy road conditions, power outages, broken tree limbs and downed trees. Officials say even a quarter inch of ice can wreak havoc on power lines.  The main culprit of power outages is fallen trees and limbs knocking down power lines. 

What should you do about ice covered trees?

As ice accumulates on a tree limb it will start to bend and sag from the weight. You may want to try and remove some of the ice in an attempt to prevent the limb from breaking and knocking down your power line, or fence, etc. but BEWARE just touching the limb could likely cause it to snap! This would cause a chain reaction of ice and limbs to rain down on top of you causing serious injuries and possibly even death. Always call a professional to evaluate ice covered trees! 

AAA Tree Service provides FREE evaluations and price estimates. We also provide 24 hour emergency services. So be safe and give us a call! 

Make Sure They are Insured!

With fall fast approaching, most folks are getting their trees trimmed up to prepare for hard winter!  We here at AAA Tree Service just want to remind everyone to protect themselves against uninsured workers on their property.  The property owner could become liable for the worker and any damages done.  At AAA Tree Service we always put safety 1st and we carry $1,000,000.00 in Insurance.  We are happy to provide proof of insurance to our customers upon request.

Watch the video for a few examples (and possibly laughs) of why you should always verify insurance!