Knowledge of how to properly care for an annual apple tree will help you grow strong,
healthy, well-bearing tree. The issue should be considered in more detail, because
You will need to start caring for the queen of the garden from the first days after planting it on the site.

Content:

• Care begins from the moment of landing
• Is pruning necessary to shape the crown of a young apple tree?
• Tree trunk care
• Do you need fertilizing?
• How to care for an annual apple tree: organizing watering
• Is it necessary to whiten an apple tree seedling, organizing wintering
• Spring apple tree care, pest control

Care begins from the moment of landing

The question of how to care for an annual apple tree is often asked by novice gardeners, and not
in vain. After all correct landing and further procedures provide direct
influence on the duration of the fertile period, tree productivity, and health.

Definitely, care must begin immediately after planting the seedling.

It is recommended to choose a planting site taking into account the occurrence of groundwater, ideal
option - if their level does not rise above 2 m. Otherwise, carrying out
reclamation work and planting plants on artificially created hills.

The depth of the planting pit and its diameter must be at least 0.8 m. Drive in the center of the pit
planting stake, it must rise above the ground level by at least one and a half meters.

The fertile part of the excavated soil is mixed with sand (if the soil is clayey),
rotted manure, peat, for convenience, all components are thrown in portions into the pit and
mix thoroughly. The hole is filled so that all the excavated soil fits, as a result
a mound should form. In the process of subsidence of loose soil, a mound over time
will disappear.

A recess is made directly next to the planting stake; its dimensions should be
match the size of the seedling roots.

An important point - when planting, it is unacceptable to bury the root collar of the tree; it is better
position the seedling so that it “stands” on the roots.

When the soil shrinks after watering, the tree will be slightly pulled into the soil, the root collar will be located directly above the ground level. The best option is to add a little soil if necessary; this is better than deepening the root collar.

It doesn’t matter which side of the planting stake the seedling should be placed on.

When planning a garden, it should be taken into account that it is not recommended to place apple trees at a distance of less than 4 m from each other.

Let's watch a useful video on how to care for an annual apple tree:

Is pruning necessary to shape the crown of a young apple tree?

Pruning an apple tree in the first year produced taking into account the condition of the roots, because they must provide adequate nutrition to the tree. Consequently, the more the roots are torn and damaged, the smaller the crown should be.

When planting in spring, the seedling is immediately shortened by 2 or 3 buds to stimulate the development of side shoots. The cut is made on the bud opposite to the graft.

If the tree already has branches, they are shortened so that they become lower than the central shoot. If the height of the central shoot reaches 1 m, then the lateral shoots should be cut at a distance of 0.7 m from the ground level.

Branches that form too sharp an angle with the trunk are completely removed.

On shoots located at an angle close to a straight line, when shortening, 3 to 5 buds are left. Annual pruning should not be skipped; removing thick branches is more painful for the tree.

Let's watch a video about the rules for forming a young tree:

Tree trunk care

Let's figure out how experts recommend caring for an annual apple tree, because a growing tree requires special attention.

• In the first year of life, the trunk circle:
• thoroughly cleaned of weeds;
• loosen and weed;
• mulch with hay, grass clippings or rotted manure.

They refuse to mulch the tree trunk with the onset of fruiting of the tree.

Do you need fertilizing?

Caring for a fruit-bearing tree involves applying fertilizers. But how exactly to use them, do the annual apple trees need them, because when planting, humus, manure or compost were added to the soil.

The organic matter that is added to the pit is sufficient for the rooting and active development of the seedling during the first three years.

Next, the roots begin to grow beyond the planting hole; the tree is nourished by absorbing nutrients from the soil surrounding the hole.

As for mineral fertilizers, modern agronomy does not recommend applying them during planting; the growing roots of a one-year-old tree are very delicate, contact with chemicals can cause burns. Instead of active growth, you can get it fading, or even the death of the seedling.

Adding minerals at a remote distance is practically useless; they will be washed out of the soil before they reach the root feeding zone.

The apple tree will need mineral supplements several years after planting, when the plant begins to bear fruit.

For organic fertilizing, which can be carried out in the second or third year after planting, you can use a weak solution of mullein or green fertilizer.

How to care for an annual apple tree: organizing watering

The planted tree will need systematic watering throughout the summer, and especially during the first month and a half after planting.

It is recommended to apply 10 liters of settled water under the tree weekly. Of course, if the weather is warm and it rarely rains. If precipitation is heavy, then weekly watering is abandoned.

After 6 weeks, watering is done less frequently, every 12-14 days, but at the same time the amount of water applied at a time is increased to 2-3 buckets.

If the summer is too hot, then watering can be increased more often.

Active evaporation of moisture will be prevented by mulching the tree trunk circle, provided that its thickness is at least 50 mm.

In addition, mulch creates conditions favorable for the life of earthworms, which contribute to loosening and enriching the soil at the depth of the roots, as a result of which the plant’s nutrition becomes more intense.

Is it necessary to whiten an apple tree seedling, organizing wintering

Applying lime to a tree trunk, especially a young one, can lead to chemical burns of green wood. It is better not to whitewash seedlings, and if you use the whitewashing method, then make a thick chalk solution for this.

You can combat frostbites and sunburn with other effective methods:

• the tree trunk is tied with burlap, agrofibre, padding polyester;
• to protect against rodent damage, metal mesh is installed on top of the insulation;
• To combat harmful insects, trapping belts are installed on tree trunks;
• periodically inspect and clean.

In addition to the above measures, in the fall the trunk circle of a young tree is covered with a thick layer of peat or rotted manure; it will protect the tree from freezing.

Spring apple tree care, pest control

Caring for an annual apple tree must necessarily include measures aimed at
disease prevention and pest control.

One of the preventive measures is to attract birds to the garden. To attract titmice, you will need to install titmice in the garden and arrange feeders.

But it is unlikely that it will be possible to protect the garden from pests only with these measures; it will be necessary to spray the plants. It is recommended to use chemicals to treat young apple trees if
detection of the first signs of fungal diseases or massive insect damage.

Use solutions prepared strictly according to the instructions for this product. It is also advisable to first carry out a test: apply the drug to only one branch, after a day, making sure that the bark and leaves are not burned, you can treat the entire tree.

Knowledge of how to care for an annual apple tree is easy to put into practice. Simple steps will allow you to grow a strong, healthy, fruit-bearing tree.