I've been reading a bit about this and there is a fairly strong suggestion that most commercially produced
trees don't have tap roots because of how they are cultivated. I want to establish half a dozen large
fruit trees in a semi-wild area (currently a crazy mix of self-seeded willow, thistles, grasses) but will definitely not be able to irrigate or otherwise nurture these trees (they are too far from the main garden area).
Rather than buy commercially produced trees on known root stocks I was thinking about growing from
seed, then grafting preferred scion
wood once the roots are established in place. Am I right in thinking that this is more likely to produce a deeply rooted tree capable of reaching deeper
water? I could probably do a mini-hugel in the planting hole, chucking in some rotten wood and bark. I can wood chip
mulch around the area to suppress weeds and give them a fighting chance.
My method would be something like:
Collect a whole bunch of
apple seeds
Germinate them in the fridge (plastic bag + damp paper towel)
Plant out the germinated seeds (say 3 per hole in case some don't take)
Graft with scion wood in the first winter and thin to one tree per hole.
Allow to grow on to full standard size with minimal pruning (we need to occasionally get vehicles through so the
canopy will need to be lifted)
I may throw in a few other species - perhaps a couple of plums and a mulberry or two?