While fruit trees can be planted at nearly any time of year in mild climates, the best time of year to plant fruit trees in Columbia, SC is in the fall. Planting in the fall months has many benefits over planting your fruit trees during other seasons, giving them the best chance to grow strong and healthy as quickly as possible. Here are some of the benefits you can realize by planting your fruit trees in the fall.
Makes It Easier for Trees to Establish Their Roots
A newly planted fruit tree needs to establish its roots if it is to grow into a healthy mature tree. During the summer months, the hot weather and dryness in the air can make it difficult for new trees to thrive unless you spend time providing the tree with additional moisture. Planting in the fall gives the tree enough time in wetter weather to firmly establish itself on your property.
Reduces Stress on New Trees
The heat and humidity of the summer can be just as brutal for trees as it is for people. Trees that are planted in the spring may not grow strong enough in time to withstand the high temperatures and dry soil conditions of the summer. The mild South Carolina winters are rarely cold enough to kill a decently established tree, setting them up for fast growth the following spring. Proper trimming and pruning can also help the tree flourish.
Fruit Tree Planting Tips
It is important to select fruit trees that are good growers for the climate in your area. For Columbia, SC, those fruits would be apples, peaches, nectarines, persimmons, figs, and plums.
It is also imperative that you choose fruit trees that will pollinate each other. Many fruit trees are unable to pollinate themselves, so a second tree must be planted nearby in order for the trees to bear fruit. If you need to know more, tree care professionals like Top Gun Tree Service have easy-to-read pollination charts available so you can select compatible varieties of fruit trees.
Allow plenty of space for the tree’s roots to expand after planting. The hole for the tree should be at least twice the diameter of the root ball and nearly twice the depth. Use equal amounts of compost and soil in the bottom of the hole to ensure that the tree’s root ball will sit about an inch above the soil line.
Reach Out to the Pros
Following these simple tips for planting fruit trees will give you the tools you need to grow healthy, strong trees that bear fruit year after year. For more fruit tree planting information or tree care tips, contact the pros at Top Gun Tree Service today!
