What an interesting looking trunk, I nonchalantly thought while meandering by an apple tree one morning in early spring. The snow had finally melted and my mind was racing with all the exciting to do’s of a new season ahead.
I weaved in and out of the apple trees and noticed they all had the same bare area around their base. A quick Google search did not lift my quickly deflating spirits. It looked like our beloved orchard-in-the-making had been gorged on by rodents during their second winter.
My dad, a retired forester, is our go-to tree consultant. One look at the pictures and there was no mistaking it. The trunks – all five of them – were completely girdled.
Time to start over.
Back to square one
Before moving into our homestead we planned out areas of the property using Google My Maps. During this early stage we dreamed about four main components: garden, pond, pine trees, and fruit trees.
Once move-in came in fall 2015, the projects list quickly multiplied. We figured we would make time for fruit trees in the spring. That first spring came and went, and next thing we knew we were recounting all of our progress after one year in the house, sans fruit trees.
With spring 2017 on the horizon, it was time to start apple trees – ready or not. Three years later we were back in the same position – this time, a wee bit wiser.
Where to buy apple trees?
A search for where to buy apple trees in Wisconsin led to a forum with a recommendation for Sustainable Wildlife Habitats. The small company is located in Cambridge, WI and has a goal is to provide high quality bare root trees and transplants for the best prices on the market.
All of their fruit trees are semi-dwarf and come 6-8 feet in height with ⅞ – 1 inch caliper (diameter of the trunk – thanks again Google!) for $25 each. Larger trees for a smaller price makes a three-hour round trip pickup worth it.
They have both common varieties you would recognize as well as more rare finds that are especially suitable for Wisconsin climates. Though it’s not required, they recommend placing your order in winter to ensure the cultivars you want are available.
Alternatively, you could buy trees from your local nursery, a big box store, or even online. These Burchell pink apple trees were actually on our Amazon wedding registry. We received one as a gift from my grandma.
Once your trees are in your possession, it’s time to get them in the ground!
Our planting process
1. Choose the location
- Consider how much space is required for the variety. This will differ for dwarf, semi-dwarf, and standard trees. We use all semi-dwarf, which require 125 – 200 square feet each.
- It is said that a gentle slope is an ideal location so that cold air can settle away from the trees. The top of a hill is likely too windy.
- Soil should have good drainage to avoid “wet feet.” Avoid rocky or heavy clay soil.
- Choose a spot that receives full sun the majority of the day.
2. Gather supplies
Our list includes:
- Garden gloves
- Spade shovel
- Two metal or wood fence posts (per tree)
- Metal fence post driver
- Five gallon bucket filled about 3/4 full of water
- Mesh fencing that fits around the trunk
- Chicken wire fencing that fits around the tree perimeter
- Wire to connect the fencing
- Wire cutters
A trusty four-legged supervisor is good for morale but not required.
3. Get digging
The hole should be deep and wide enough for the roots to fit without bending or cutting them.
4. Place the rootstock in the hole
Aim for the graft union (the knobby part above the roots) to be 2-3 inches above the final soil level.
5. Fill in the hole
Use the same soil that was removed. No fertilizer or manure is necessary. If you think your soil needs amending, plan to add organic matter the season before planting.
6. Pack down the soil around the trunk
This ensures the soil touches the roots and won’t “settle in” lower than you want. We usually step around it and then add more soil until it is well-packed 2-3 inches below the graft union.
7. Water immediately
Pour the bucket of water gradually around the hole area – not just the trunk. It’s easy to forget how wide the roots are once they are hidden!
8. Protect the trunk
This was our downfall. To avoid damage from rodents like meadow mice, who will be attracted to the bark during winter, wrap that trunk up!
You can purchase pre-made trunk guards or get scrappy and use what you have on hand. Quarter or half inch mesh hardware cloth would also work well. We ended up using leftover wire mesh from my dad’s chimney. The sides were weaved together with thin wire.
It’s recommended to keep the area around the trunk free from tall grass and weeds. They will compete for nutrients and attract rodents. The trunk guard also offers protection if you plan to weed whack around the tree.
9. Fence in the perimeter
Isn’t the trunk cover enough? No! This step is for the deer. Besides nibbling on the buds, their antlers can cause serious damage as they rub off the velvet and mark their territory.
We make a simple fence out of two wood or metal fence posts and chicken wire.
There you have it! Fashion, meet function.
Lessons learned the hard way
Don’t “set it and forget it”
We didn’t necessarily forget, but we naively assumed. Our pine tree seedlings have been fine without trunk protection, so it seemed safe to say the apple trees would be too. Perhaps with closer observation during winter we may have been able to see the damage being made by the voles before it was too late.
Part of that may be due to their location. If you live on a larger property and the trees aren’t in your immediate yard, make a point to check on them regularly.
Don’t underestimate the power of pests
Now that we have some experience, we can practically feel the eyes on us as we’re planting new fruit trees. Rodents are salivating at the sight of the trunk. The deer can’t wait to nibble on the branches and rub their antlers on the bark come fall.
And that’s just animals. We haven’t experienced insect or disease damage yet, but it’s something else we need to be aware of and prepare for.
Don’t wait to plant trees
You’ve probably heard the Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” We jokingly attribute it to my dad, who introduced us to the wise words when we placed an order for 300 pine tree seedlings.
Now, after planting (and re-planting) our humble orchard, we understand how much it rings true. This time around we went “all in” and planted new apple trees along with cherries and plums.
It’s so easy to put off tree planting because it can require some thought and preparation ahead of time. In the case of fruit trees, it can take years to start reaping the rewards. No time will seem like the right time. Start today and your future self will thank you!
Recommended resources
- Sustainable Wildlife Habitats FAQ
- Growing Apples in Wisconsin
- Apple Pest Management for Home Gardeners
In the future we plan to share best practices for apple tree maintenance including pruning, pest control, and harvesting.
Have you had struggles or successes with apple trees? Let’s hear it! Comment below, share on Instagram, or drop us a line.
