In the summer of 2019… I created a borderless raised bed 90 ft long x 4 ft wide.
Spring 2020… I planted several fruit trees in it… in this order… CHE, Peach, Apple, Goumi, Apple, Goumi, Apple, Apricot, Jujube, Jujube.
I also had 7 ouachitaw blackberries, 6 raspberries, and lots of strawberries planted under and between fruit trees.
I think it’s helpful that all the trees going in the hole have the same rootstock. You don’t want one with a more vigorous stock to out pace the others. Dwarfing varieties only, I’d assume.
I also prune to keep them on the same pace. This means some get a bigger haircut and some less.
Below was my initial plan/layout. Smaller trees (dwarfs) are planted towards the south part of the yard and bigger trees (semi to standard) are planted on the northern side. That way they won’t shade each other out in the future.
How are the cherries doing? I’m debating whether or not to double my sweet cherry. I was planning on a single WhiteGold in my mini orchard bc of the spacing, but I have one spot that is stand alone on the other side of the driveway, about 10x10. Currently have a compact Stella there, but I’m pretty unhappy with that tree and moving it to a family members house next week. Considering doubling ebony pearl, burgundy pearl or another white gold. I see it as the biggest risk to double since sweet cherry is already the most risky/likely to dramatically fail in my organic garden.
On rootstock, I assumed only dwarf, but DWN’s webpage about how to plant like this says it doesn’t matter, only that they’re the same. Ann Ralph pushes for standard rootstocks for more stable trees and mentions the life expectancy issue. I don’t know if the longevity thing has any bearing in reality…Steve Cummins called it something like the “greatest myth out there” saying they have 50yo fruiting apples on dwarf rootstock.
I haven’t planted cherries using the multiple trees in one big hole method. Rootstocks on those are not dwarfing.
My Black Gold is doing well this year but was damaged heavily by deer the year I planted it (2023). It took all of last year (2024) off, barely grew at all. This year it’s grown almost 18” on every limb. No flowering yet.
I just planted a Lapins and Black Tartarian this year from suggestions of others in this area and on this forum.
I’ve got a Romeo and Juliet at another property and they are super productive. I wouldn’t consider them sweet cherries though.
I’ve heard good things about White Gold. I’ve wanted one.
