FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

L&S NURSERY, Northern Michigan Frequently Asked Questions page

ARE THESE TREES AVAILABLE BARE ROOT OR POTTED? TOP

Our fruit trees are available bare root or potted. Our crabapple trees are available potted.

ARE FRUIT TREES AVAILABLE ON DWARFING ROOTSTOCK? TOP

We recommend standard rootstock for most fruit tree varieties. Apple rootstocks are very cold hardy, therefore, we offer both the semi dwarf and standard rootstocks on apples.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT VARIETY FRUIT TREES & PLANTS FOR MY AREA? TOP

First of all, you will need to find out what zone you live in, click here http://lsnursery.com//pages/USDAHardinessZone.php.

Zones are included in the tree and plant descriptions.

HOW DO I PLANT MY NEW FRUIT TREES? TOP

1. Keep trees protected until planting time/moist roots.
2. Plant as soon as soil is thawed.
3. Plant so that graft union is just above soil surface.
4. Amend soil if needed.
5. Prune properly (whip vs. feathered).
6. Keep well watered!.
7. Remove all grass/weeds.
8. Minimal fertilizer the planting year.
9. Remove all blossoms the first two years.
10. Use tree guards.
11. Protect from deer.
12. Protect from diseases/insects.

HOW DO I PRUNE MY NEW FRUIT TREES? TOP

1. After planting, bareroot fruit trees that are under 1/2 inch caliper should be whipped by removing all the side limbs and then heading the leader back to belly high.

2. For bareroot fruit trees that are over 1/2 inch caliper and have numerous limbs, select 3-4 limbs from knee to waist high and remove the rest. Then head the leader back to chest high. If there are not at least 3 side limbs from knee to waist high, remove them all and cut the leader back to belly high.

NEED TIPS ON GROWING FRUIT TREES? TOP

1. Over the first few years, select 3-4 wide angled limbs from knee to waist height to form your basic tree structure. Remove other limbs and any additional weak or broken limbs. Pruning should be done between late February and the end of March.

2. Make certain that your plastic tree guards are not constricting the main stem. If so, replace them with guards that are looser fitting.

3. Keep deer repellent on the trees, especially during the early summer months when the new growth is starting. Deer love this fresh, succulent growth. Repellents include: garlic sticks, soaps, putrified eggs, and ammonia based products.

Inexpensive Deer Repellent Recipe

3 eggs

1 squirt of dish soap

2 gallons of water

Put eggs and dish soap in a medium size bowl. Use some of the 2 gallons of water to dilute it. Mix it together well. Pour this mixture into the 2 gallon sprayer. Pour the remaining water into the sprayer. Spray this mixture onto your fruit trees. This will last for 3 weeks or unless there is a heavy rainfall, in which case you will have to apply it again.

4. Apply nutrients to the soil in mid-April. The quantity of fertilizer/nutrients should be based on a soil test through your local MSU Extension Service.

5. For proper cross pollination, you need a minimum of three varieties of apples, pears, plums, or sweet cherries.

6. Sprays to prevent insect and disease damage need to begin at petal fall (just after bloom time). Sprays should be applied every 2-3 weeks thereafter until within 2 weeks of harvest. One way to prevent a number of sprays is to select apple varieties that are disease resistant.

7. Keep young trees watered well after planting and during early summer months when rain tends to be less frequent. Keep grass and weeds clear from base of trees.

Have fun growing your fruit trees and eating all those fresh apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums!

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I ORDER TREES AND PLANTS FROM YOU? TOP

You can expect quality all the way! Should you encounter any problems, we guarantee our trees and plants for one growing season and will replace them for free, no questions asked.

WHERE DO I PLANT MY FRUIT TREES? TOP
1. Elevation
2. Proximity to water
3. Soil type/texture
4. Protection from deer
5. Direct marketing potential
6. Sunlight
7. Close enough to take care of!

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