A right pear in the grass

Salutations!

I was torn between posting this in the n00bz section and here but anyway, I have a Pyrus communis in my garden, however last year (around February) it was planted a little too close to a Cox's apple tree (about 4ft) and I'm now looking to relocate it. Both trees are dwarves of sorts, growing to a maximum of 3m; at the moment it is around 85-90cm in height. I mean, cop a load of this:




My query is given we have had a fairly long winter and that the tree is just now starting to show life (hint of buds), would now be an ideal time to move it or should I wait until after Autumn? If so, how do I go about moving it (dimensions of the hole etc)? Also, what would be the most appropriate distance to keep between trees? I have four other various trees of a fruity nature that I would like to plant.

Cheers bebes.

 

Forgive me but err... **bump**.

 

Hi

You could do it now earlier would of been better ie showing no growth at all , with all the cold we have had it has held them back. plus side they have only been in a year.

just measure 12 inches either side slice downwards with the spade in a circle right around the tree and have a plastic sheet ready and dig it out with a big rootball with as much soil attached place on the sheet and wrap around it and tie the top to keep all the soil together , dig out the same hole size and put in, pull away the plastic firm with your foot and put a stake in to stop wind rock if you have the space a good 12 feet apart as this will give them the space to grow as they are not going to grow into large trees , but you must do all this in the next week otherwise like you have said leave till later in the year , once all planted give them a good water and use a mulch around the roots but leave a couple of inches away from the stem then water again to settle them in and keep the area free of weeds and grass as your photo shows already.

Hope this helps we must of all missed this one

Spruce

 

Agree with Spruce for all above. If I'm looking properly at the photo, the tree is only small....looks to have a bent main stem? It might be a good idea to stake it now to create a nice straight half standard stem. Maybe just keep three of the branches and remove the lower one from the main stem. If the trees will be 3 metres eventually, you need 3 or 4 metres between them if they are to be grown as free standing tree shaped trees!
Maybe think about mulching the surface after planting. If the soil comes off the roots and you don't have a good root ball, shake it off and water the roots then sprinkle with michorizal fungi granules, (in all garden supply outlets now) and plant as a bare root tree.

 

...Spruce said most of this!! I didn't read it all, I'm an idiot I only read down to end of first chapter and didn't scroll down!!

 

You people are great.

@ Julie: AH yes, I should clarify that the the big 'ol stumps in the ground next to them also feature small loops of washing line (photos are not great) which are keeping them straight (though they're pretty upright on their own).

 

Julie more the merrier

Spruce