when to plant a fruit tree?

When is the best time to plant a fruit tree???

Ideally, in my area, when the tree is dormant. Here that means anytime the ground isn't frozen, or all winter minus the scattered days our ground is frozen. This gives the tree time to grow a strong root system over the winter.

BUT IN THE REAL WORLD, you know, where I really live... I usually find my trees mid summer in the big box stores. You know, the tree nobody wants, and is on clearance. I bring them home and plop em where I think is appropriate. So, I plant mine when I get them. If you are more organized, try to buy them in the fall.

The best time for me is when I have the money!

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:Ideally, in my area, when the tree is dormant. Here that means anytime the ground isn't frozen, or all winter minus the scattered days our ground is frozen. This gives the tree time to grow a strong root system over the winter.

BUT IN THE REAL WORLD, you know, where I really live... I usually find my trees mid summer in the big box stores. You know, the tree nobody wants, and is on clearance. I bring them home and plop em where I think is appropriate. So, I plant mine when I get them. If you are more organized, try to buy them in the fall.

The best time for me is when I have the money!

That has always been the case with me, trees show up for sale in late spring in the stores so thats when they get planted. Hopefully not on a really hot week.

Agree with the above unless you live in a hard winter area.  We're in Reno nv so the local boutique nursery cuts prices 60-80% right before winter to clear their stock. Variety much better than box stores.  8-10' plum with almost 2" trunk in good condition for $ 60 last fall. Can't beat that!

Zone 7 here and December is the month to get them in the ground for us.

You can plant fruit trees anytime: 1. the ground is not frozen solid  2. once the tree has gone into dormancy for the winter 3. just as the buds begin to swell  4. any time as long as you account for number 1 in this list and you water it in well so the soil gets into close contact with the roots and you add a root stimulant.

The best time is during dormancy the second best time is at bud swell.
The rest of the year you need to be very thorough with your planting technique and give a root stimulant at the watering in of the tree.

I have planted fruit trees in August (our hottest month) and they have done quite well.
If the trees are already in full leaf and have fruits set, you can still plant but transport will require a cover for the tree to prevent leaf burn and you need to simply remove all fruit at planting, it will drop anyway so save the tree that energy cost.

Redhawk

This is why I love coming here, lots of great knowledge!!!


BUT.....my original title of this post was that of a riddle or maybe more of a joke. I don't know why the mod changed it. So let me tell it....

So I ask;

When is the best time to plant a fruit tree. The usual response is spring, fall, etc......

I then say...No... and then maybe some more replies.....

then usually followed by "ok, then when do you think is the best time?"

My reply is............."10 years ago".....

Usually get a pretty good laugh(or dirty look) then a more serious nod for yes, very true in deed!

OK, no you can go and tell the joke to your gardener friends..

-Gadget

Jokes should not be posted to any forum except for Meaningless Drivel please, putting a joke in other forums means it won't be looked at as a joke but as a legitimate question.

Bryant RedHawk wrote:Jokes should not be posted to any forum except for Meaningless Drivel please, putting a joke in other forums means it won't be looked at as a joke but as a legitimate question.

Some times jokes are funny because they carry an element of truth/knowledge. If you read my comment just before yours you would see that I posted it originally as a riddle but the mod changed the title. Its a great riddle a very wise person shared with me one day. I wanted to share it here but the title was changed AFTER I created the post.


Learn, share and grow. Don't wait to plant your trees. Time waits for no one.

Well the standard response:

The best time to plant a fruit tree was 5 years ago.  Second best time is right now.

The old Chinese Proverb I've heard is, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."