Preparing the soil for new planting

General Fruit Growing
1

I’m new to all of this and will be planting a few dozen new fruit trees this winter. I would like to better understand all that needs to be done to the soil in advance.

The soil analysis results have just come in and based upon that will amend the top 6" or so of the planting area as recommended for fruit trees.

I dug a few drainage test holes, and they seem to drain ok (took two hours to empty). The area is on a slight slope that that helps. I plan on a few cherry trees and may do those in raised 4’x4’x1’ tall beds just to give them a better chance.

I have heard wood chip is a good ground cover to keep weeds at bay and help compost as it breaks down.

What else should I be considering?

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Animal protection (deer, rabbits, mice). Paint the trunks white to avoid sunscald, southwest disease. Don’t put them near an ag field where they could get herbicide drift. Keep away from shade trees.

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Be sure to keep and maintain at least a 3 ft.wide weed free zone
around each tree.

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