When you buy fruit trees, choose one-year-old, healthy trees that
are 2 to 3 feet tall, says Kathryn Taylor, a University of
Georgia Extension Service horticulturist. They should have good
root systems with no evidence of stunting, insects or
diseases.

If you’re still preparing the planting site, store the trees in a
cool place. Keep the roots moist. Before you plant, adjust the
soil pH to 6.5 and amend it with adequate levels of
phosphorus.

Break up any hardpan. Dig a hole twice the diameter and the same
depth of the root system so you can plant the tree at its
original depth. The graft union should be about 2 inches above
the soil line.

No Depression Around Tree

Tamp the soil down well. Finish filling in firmly to prevent a
depression around the tree, to avoid “wet feet” and root-rotting
diseases.

Don’t add fertilizer to the hole, Taylor said. You will fertilize
later.

Water the tree in to fill in potential air pockets. Mulch to
retain moisture, but don’t allow the mulch to be right against
the trunk. Hay is a good mulch choice, she said, since it doesn’t
reduce the soil pH as pine straw and pine bark can.