Ingrid,

I agree with most of what you say, but I think putting two fruit trees in the same hole
is not a good idea. They will compete with each other for resources and generally
get in each other's way. Biennial producing trees are not good. You should do some
aggressive thinning to get them back on an annual schedule.

Sherwin

wrote:

you are fine. in fact, Bay Laurel has a good read on back yard orchards and that
includes planting 2 or more small trees in the SAME HOLE.
I dont prune them at all when planting unless there is a crossing or broken branch.
the basic idea of semi dwarf or fully dwarf trees is to prune IN SUMMER when what you
cut off will not stimulate new growth or suckers AND will prevent growth in the
direction of the branch that was cut.
http://weloveteaching.com/landscape/...d/orchard.html
the best part about cutting in summer to control height is that you KNOW which
branches are producing fruit and where the fruit spurs are. I have had a problem
with over setting of fruit and find it hard to thin the fruit off. I keep waiting
for natural "fruit drop" and then never get around to thinning. I now have trees
produce every other year. and I let them grow out of control one year. this last
summer I seriously headed them back. I cannot believe how vigorous they are in those
100 gallon rubbermaid pots. Ingrid

"Zootal" nousenetspam at dead ice dot us wrote:

I have about a dozen "semi-dwarf" fruit trees, each planted 12 feet apart.
Does anyone have experience with such trees? Did I plant them too close
together?

Also, when initially planting them as bare root trees, how severely should
they be pruned? And once they start to bud out, is it too late to prune
them?


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