What are the benefits of growing fruit trees? First, growing fruit trees gives you control over how your food is grown, harvested, and processed. You know exactly what happens to it, from sprout to harvest to the table.

When you buy fruit trees from a nursery, they are sold bare-root during the dormant season or containered during the growing season.

While each fruit is a little different, there are some general guidelines that apply to most fruit trees. Young fruit trees are somewhat delicate, although trees like apples, pears, and plums tend to be a little tougher. Young trees should be watered every other week and need enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of three to four feet because this is the depth to which most roots extend. Water the soil when the top two inches are dry. They also need periodic “deep soaking”, either by rain or intentionally, to ensure a juicy, abundant crop. Drip systems and mulching help conserve this moisture as well. 

Here are some other tips to keep your fruit trees as healthy as possible:

• Young trees should also be fertilized at least once a year, in the spring before the tree starts producing new growth. 
• It is also best to take measures to prevent pests and diseases in new fruit trees. Treat properly if pests and diseases do occur.
•  Weed regularly.
• It is recommended to thin the fruit so that you get a quality harvest. This also prevents branches from becoming heavy and overburdened, and breaking. Pruning and inspecting regularly are important to maintain the tree’s health as well. Thinning them can also eliminate diseases and insect-infested fruit. It also prevents alternate-year bearing so you have fruit every year!
• The fruit trees should be placed in a space where sun is not blocked by buildings and at least three feet away from sidewalks and driveways, and at least six feet from buildings because the roots can grow wider than the crown of the tree. Trees should be spaced 10 to 15 feet apart. 
• They require at least six hours of full sun during the growing season. 

Growing fruit trees is a relatively simple and fun way to incorporate trees into your yard and healthy, delicious fruit into your diet. Tree service companies in Hunting Valley, like Vancuren Tree Service, can help you maintain healthy, bountiful, beautiful health trees.