Question:
Where should I plant my fruit tree?Answer:
When looking for a location to plant a fruit tree, such as apple, pear, plum, cherry, or peach, there are several factors to consider.
Full Sun
Select a location that receives direct sunlight most of the day. Fruit plantings are most productive and produce higher quality fruit when grown in full sun.
Fertile, Well-Drained Soils
Avoid planting on heavy, poorly drained soils. All fruit crops do best when planted on well-drained soils. Such soils are well aerated, which allows good root development, and plants are less prone to soilborne diseases.
Soil drainage is a function of the slope as it affects surface run-off, soil texture, and the soil profile. Fine-textured clay soils have a high water holding capacity, but drain slowly and lack adequate aeration. Generally, loamy soils are considered best for fruit crops because they hold adequate moisture and provide good aeration. However, if the soil profile has a clay or compacted layer that impedes the downward movement of water, even these soils may be unsatisfactory. Learn more in this article: Testing and Improving Soil Drainage.
Avoid Low Areas
Avoid planting in low areas where cold air will settle on calm nights or where down-slope obstructions can impede the drainage of cold air away from the site. Such areas are more prone to late-spring and early-fall frosts.
Avoid Areas Where Fruit Trees Were Recently Removed
Whenever possible, avoid immediately replanting a site with the same crop or a closely related crop following the loss of plants or the removal of plants because of low productivity. In immediately replanting such sites, there is a greater risk of encountering problems with soilborne diseases, viruses, or root-feeding nematodes than if one were to select another site or wait a few years before replanting.
Because soilborne diseases have a wide host range and can remain dormant in the soil for several years, cultivars that are resistant to these diseases should be considered when replanting.