Planting young Apple tree

Advice needed, I have just bought a small (5ft) Cox's Orange Pippin and I'm not sure what to plant it in. Our soil is VERY light and sandy so it's not got much nutrient in it. What is best, a bag (or two) of top soil, tree mulch, or even JI compost. Any other tips on young apple trees would be welcome as it's something in all my years in horticulture (was it really 44? ) that I haven't grown.

 

I planted a few apple trees on my land, which despite being quite small, has a diverse range of conditions on it. Most of it is good, very peaty top soil to a depth of about 8 inches, then clay. One area is very light sandy soil as you describe.

The trees on the sandy side did best, until the deer got them.

 

Thanks for the tips, this one is in a 8(?) litre/12" pot so it might be difficult getting the trunk near the stake for the tie, depends on the root system.

It's supposed to be 'self fertile'. I hope so as I don't know if there are many others around.

 

Your stake doesn't have to be vertical, it can go in at an angle.
See this advice from RHS -
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=208

RHS on planting trees -
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=237

 

Thanks fo the links Dave.

 

Strongylodon,

As far as staking the tree, I would go with an old method of keeping the roots strong.
Stake low down on the trunk and angle against the prevailing wind. This should give strength to the tree as it grows.

Soil preparation is best done a month or more before planting so that the soil has time to settle. Dig a 60cm (2ft) deep by 1.2m (4ft) square hole, incorporating as much organic material as possible - aim to get the soil crumbly.

 

Thanks for the tips Landi.

 

That's what we are all here for Strongy, to help one another.
That to me is the purpose of this site.
In the future there maybe a question you could have the answer for me and I would be most grateful too.