A Cut Above or Below

PHOTO BY JON ELLIS

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RAMIAH CHU

Here in Ventura County we can successfully grow fruit trees from all over the world, creating home orchards that we can harvest from year-round. Properly cared-for trees will generally be healthier, live longer and, most importantly, be more productive.

WHICH TREE TO BUY

To start, when I purchase a tree, I take into consideration a couple different factors. The healthiest trees are not always the prettiest and most well established. I try to purchase the youngest trees possible to fit the planting needs of the situation. The younger the tree, the less likely that it will have lived in a nursery around other plants that might have, and share, diseases or pests.

HOW TO PLANT

With new fruit trees we should be able to see a relatively noticeable graft point where the root stock and the fruit stock have their union. We consider this sensitive spot the tree’s “belly button.” When we plant, we want this spot to face north. This will ensure that the belly button doesn’t get sunburned, which will help the tree have less stress and healthier life.

BARE-ROOT PLANTING FOR WINTER

Bare-root trees are a great choice because they are less expensive, much smaller and easier to plant than already-rooted trees. Bare-root fruit trees are available in the late winter and are often the healthiest specimens. For deciduous trees, I like to plant while they are dormant, allowing them to bloom and leaf out in their new space. Evergreen trees such as avocado, citrus or guava can be planted throughout the year.

Even if we can’t plant at the perfect time, there is no cause for worry. The trees can be very tolerant. Just be sure to not plant a tree during an extreme weather event as it could cause additional stress

PRUNING TIPS

Pruning fruit trees can be challenging and confusing if they have branches growing in all directions. The most important step of pruning is to first sanitize the cutting tools with alcohol.

There are few general rules for properly pruning fruit trees. When removing any branch or stem, make sure that there is a nice clean cut, with no stub left behind. Thinning out center-growing branches helps with air flow, light penetration into the canopy and easier harvest. If there are crossing branches, the smaller or less productive branch should be eliminated, to prevent them from rubbing together and to create a less crowded environment.

While most pruning is best done during the dormant season, removing dead material can be done at any time of year. It is important to control the height of trees; a shorter tree is easier to prune, safer to harvest and easier to protect from critters.