aftercare

After planting your trees (I have mainly the following varieties acer, birch, rowan, maple, hawthorn).I stake for the first year then remove the stake as I have been told it encourages a stronger trunk. Water regularly in the first year and thats about it. I then to leave well enough alone. This is year 2 at the new garden Should I be continuing to feed etc and if so what with. Pruning ? or do I leave untill the tree is more established eg 3rd or 4th year.

Pic of garden
http://www.geocities.com/gsdkarlar/garden.html?1148719377015

John.

 

This year I would ease up on the watering and let the roots go deeper to find their own moisture. In N. Ireland you shouldn't be bothered by prolonged drought but if the weather does get dry then restart regular watering. Winds can sometimes be more drying than a hot but humid day.

You also have a good large open site there so maybe keep short stakes, no more than 1ft high, that will allow the trunk to flex and strenghten but still help prevent root rock. Ties should have some flexibility to allow for growth and movement and be a couple of inches wide to prevent chaffing the bark.

I would also leave pruning unless you want to train your trees to a speciic shape. Just remove any dead wood to prevent disease and lightly trim any obviously wayward branches. Ususlly a tree will look after its own shape in time as more branches grow into gaps. In later years keep an eye out for branches that are likely to cross over and rub. Remove the weakest one.

N.I has a great climate for apples so I would be on the lookout for some nice varieties to add spring colour and some autumn fruit.

[ 06. June 2006, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: frogesque ]