I ordered 10 plum trees and 5 crabapple trees for the purpose of habitat improvement on my hunting land. While i was waiting on the delivery, i dug a few holes every day so as not to have to do it all at once. When the trees came, i only had 6 holes left, so i gathered up all the dirt, and fertilizer, and shovel and the trees and went and dug the last 6 holes. The i opened the box. The 10 plum trees were there. The 5 crabapples were there...plus another 11 crabapples. I guess the nursery guy had some extras and he knew i was going to plant them for the wildlife. I like it but.... AHHHHHGGGGGH!!!! More holes to dig... i thought i was done.

Plinker

Deer don't seem to like my plum trees. The opossums do. If there were bears around, I'm sure they would love them too.

It sounds like you're going to have a ton of seasonal pruning to do in a few years.

From what i understand these trees don't require a lot of pruning. If they do, they'll just need go get over it.

Plinker

Plinker, you don't want to pour fertilizer into the hole so that it contacts the roots. This may cause severe damage and even kill the tree. This is from bitter experience. Let the trees establish their roots the first year then bring on the triple 13 or 6-8-8 and some good fruit tree fertilizer on top of the ground. I think it is a wise investment to plant the trees and I have even planted some on govt. land in a couple of secluded places to provide me and my brother with a good pear crop during the end of bow season. Good job man.

Perforator, you're probably right about the fertilizer. All the crabapple trees survived, but most of the plum trees didn't make it. The draught didn't help, either, though.

The pear trees you planted should be good draw for the deer. Late bearing types would work best.

Plinker

quote:

Originally posted by Plinker603:
From what i understand these trees don't require a lot of pruning. If they do, they'll just need go get over it.

Plinker

A plum tree that needs pruning - - - - - - - - - now, where did I leave my ten foot pole?

Sorry, just couldn't help it!!!