How deep to plant new grafted apple trees

General Fruit Growing
#1

How deep to plant newly grafted apple trees? Just above the existing roots or plant deep couple 3 inches below graft in nursery bed?

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#2

I don’t think I’d be comfortable planting those new grafts out in the field until dormant again.
Personally, I put 'em into pots, but a bed is ok.
Moving to hot sun…and no dirt on the roots…I’d be concerned I’d lose
a bunch of them.

#3

They going into nursery bed…

#4

How deep would u plant them?

#5

Generally you want to plant grafted trees below the graft to achieve the desired qualities of the graft union.

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#6

So bury most of the rootstock to just below the graft?

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#7

I leave the graft unions up about 4 inches. That way when I plant them out in the field, I can put on a nice mulch layer and still have the union out of the soil. I’ve done this for 200+ bench grafts and don’t have any complaints.

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#8

Thank you for answering my question. Appreciate it.

#9

Cold climate with lots of voles? Bury them so when you lose the trunk it shoots up as the variety you want not just the rootstock :wink:

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