@Scott Head: It's almost creepy that you posted this today. I received a bare root nectarine this morning, dug the hole in our old pumpkin patch, came in and watched this. Thanks man.

Great video on handling small fruit trees. I read all of the books, watched all the videos, and then got too chicken to chop my trees. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Hello, from Pomona California zone 9b /10a. Trust this process. I did this last season. Thought I killed my trees and was tempted to pull my lil guys out. I practiced my patience. All 7 of my fruit trees are looking 👏 amazing as of today.

@josephpfice

5 ай бұрын

Wish I had seen this 5 years ago. Hello in Pomona. I'm in Hunt Beach

My fruit trees are closer than that like another tree in between the space of yours. I keep them to about 6ft tall. The only crazy growth I have thus far is the mulberries and apricot trees. But, no big deal, I control the growth by pruning. I have mandarin, plum, nectarine, peach1, peach2, fig, and mulberry. Then, orange, apricot, fig, and pear. I have Asian pear 1, Asian pear 2, and mulberry on another short row. The row near my back fence, I'm yet to put in 10-14 fruit trees and more citrus. I will be putting them in this year. With clay soil, you use the peripheral area for the roots. Most people dig deep holes but I don't anymore. I'm still putting in new fruit trees and I have my garden beds in between. I also grow shallow root plants under the fruit trees and everyone is happy LOL.

You kind of look like Glenn Beck . . . great videos brother.

Also, amazing tips here. Especially notching the edges of the hole. I'd not heard that before.

I live the small fruit tree life. Our main garden is a food forest. Have 25 trees, in 60 to 65 sq metres. Its all down to pruning. You sign up for the work, but the rewards are amazing. The variety is nuts.

I'd love to have a peach tree in my backward.

THANK YOU SCOTT!🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Very Nice, Thanks for posting.

I just planted a small peach tree and cut it back this morning! My soil is also black gumbo clay and I'm excited to see I followed your advice to the letter before seeing this video.

Hey, this has nothing to do with the video, just wanted to say that I saw you had Animal Farm on your table a few videos back. I had not read it since high school, so I decided to read again. My goodness, how relevant to today! So thanks for the unspoken recommendation! (I also love all your gardening tips, of course!)

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Its a great read, we are reading it as a family. My son loves it.

You have inspired me today! I am definitely planning on a peach tree, now. Just watching the sun and marking, but I'm excited to work on this long term project with my girls as they grow with the tree. Thanks!

@juliannedickerson7552

2 жыл бұрын

We had one at a rental property before buying our house. We miss it, but we never pruned it, so this is a first.

Also found if I do that in my clay soil putting like potting mix or anything like that in the hole it actually just makes like a little water bowl for the tree to drown in. I normally plant the tree in the native soil and throw some compost on top of the native soil to give nutrients. And throw some wood chips on top. Right now I'm trying to see if it works well. Got to do something to keep the moisture in the ground here in Texas. Just if I could figure out how to keep my goats from getting my fruit trees and Vines. I know I could put electric fence up but I really don't want to do that. Really don't want my 4-year-old to grab that . I'm sure she wouldn't do it again. I know I probably end up touching it on accident lol most likely would be me and not my kids 😂.

You got out and snuck another tree in when I was inside?! Challenge accepted! (smile) Tomorrow is Sunday, I already have my peach tree (or pluot) grown from pit that is about 10 times taller than the pot it grew in indoors under the grow light that I am planting, the 11 fruit trees in the backyard are already set with heading cuts and only waiting for Spring proper to spring forth. I'll plant that fruit tree in one of my 3 last remaining spots in the backyard for fruit tree expansion and then I have over 250+ Hickory King Corn seeds pre-soaking that will be going in as well very soon. I might have bit off more than I can chew with doing entire floral garden at same time, I am running out of room inside and having to move hundreds of plants out in the garage to weather tonight's near freeze up in northern Texas then its fireworks tomorrow morning in a flurry of activity transplanting. Fun times!

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Fun times indeed.

I love seeing progress in anyone's food system and picking up tips while watching. That said, I watched another channel planting a fruit tree (can't remember the type) and they used cardboard. First for catching the dig out like you did with the tarp, but afterward by cutting a slit and putting it under the mulch as an extra barrier for crass. They also planted things that compliment the tree just outside the root system. They didn't do anything to shape the tree however, so I believe I'll use something from you both in planting my blueberries. Give the garden dog an ear rub or two from us... 😎

Dying to move somewhere that I can plant a couple of Green Gauge trees - had them in France and England and there's nothing better. Fruit, jam, all amazing.

good video

I love the idea of fitting more fruit trees in your yard. I imagine this principle could be applied to some other non fruit trees also with careful prunning.

Yes! Great job. Just finished the book: Grow A Little Fruit Tree, by Ann Ralph. Was skeptical at first but hearing you're on board is terrific.

Great information! I'm about to buy my first fruit trees (peach, ironically) and I remember it being hard to keep up with the ones my Dad planted...they were TALL apple trees and most of the time the fruit just rotted or was eaten by nature! Definitely going to keep mine no more than 5'-6'.

Love me nothing more than to grow some fruit trees. This has been informative!🌳

i agree with what you said about the dwarf tree type you can plant any type just prune them back.well said

Very nice

I really wanna try this with an avocado tree.

I'd love to get a regular peach tree or a cherry tree or a plum tree and grow one in my large containers.

Since the regulations in California make it impossible for me to order/buy most fruit trees; I'm sure glad I managed to save and bring the baby peach tree that I started from seed before I moved 3 yrs ago (same area, tho). Our clay soil is just like that in N. Georgia. Thanks for this tutorial!

It's going to be a "giant bonsai" ☺️☺️☺️

Great information! TY! Blessings!

Super👌

Very knowledgeable, thank you

Another good video Scott, I have a little waiting on my garden adventures, I'm a way's north from you and still have snow on the ground and night's in the teens but should hopefully be getting started in a few weeks with some cold hardy plantings.

At least you didn't cut it down to just one stem like others do! Please tell us about Phoebe!

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

She is almost fully recovered, still has to go outside on a leash until her final checkup. She will return soon.

@juneramirez8580

2 жыл бұрын

@@ScottHead thank you for the update on Phoebe! I know you are taking great care of her!

nice fruit tree I have always wanted to grow a fruit tree In my back yard but my ground Is to hard you can't dig a hole I thought about growing a dwarf fruit tree In a container of course It would have to be one that could survive Oklahoma winter's

@juneramirez8580

2 жыл бұрын

If you keep it small enough you can move it into a garage during the winter. I just planted. Mayor lemon in a big pot just so I can move it around during my 117 degree AZ low desert garden. I don't plan on growing any veggies during the summer. To hot for me and veggies. Just too much work. I hear you can do the same with a fig tree.

I've always heard your volcano technique called a dog bowl or dog dish but that could just be a ny landscaper saying

We got our peach tree today from home Depot. (No local trees) if anybody is in NH and knows of a tree greenhouse, please let me know! The tree already has leaves and branches, so I was nervous. BUT it looks like someone already pruned it exactly how you just showed, with the 4 different facing branches. Sweet! Should I chop the top off or is it too late with it being green and all? There is one branch going up the middle (the main main one) and some off shoots very tiny near the top. Should I just wait until dormancy again?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

I'd wait until dormancy. Pruning now stunts growth, better to build a health root system and branches, then prune for shape when dormant.

I had an satsuma orange tree that I took out of the ground and when I did I noticed the roots were in circular position I placed it in a pot, hoping it does better was not doing good in the ground

We are Saved by Grace Through FAITH NOT WORKS. Salvation is a free gift from GOD given to those all who will believe LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED AS A SALVATION LAMB for our sins by the BLOOD OF LORD JESUS CHRIST HIS BLOOD CLEANSES Our SINS !!

Great tips, I'm planning on planting a couple apple trees this year. Good timing.

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

For apples, I'm doing a different growth structure: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Znph0s1_hampYMY.html

@TuellTimeAdventures

2 жыл бұрын

@@ScottHead Thank you, on my way to check it out.

Have same situation, that will be hard to cut off, I’ll try it tho

@marilyncameron6711

2 жыл бұрын

Scott Head, my trees has blooms on them, do I need to cut blooms off when I plant them? They are so pretty, dang, I know, “cut them off” lol

Hi, Hope all is well. Great video! I have a lemon tree in a large large container. It 3 and a half years old and almost 5 ft tall. It has never blossomed. I have another one also in a large container..its about 3.5ft tall and just a little older. The smaller tree blooms every year. Any ideas what's the bigger tree's issue? Thank you for the feedback.

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Is it in full sun? I've found full sun is best. No other ideas, too many variables.

Thanks for the video ! I can not find your playlist on Backyard Orchard Culture though…

@ScottHead

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, I'm having trouble getting it to show up publicly. Try this link: kzread.info/head/PLgI3-4_ax8H8NKE-QM36lcCK7IbgHaruN

This is really great information. I planted an orange tree last week but I mixed a little compost in with my native soil because it was really heavy, nasty clay. :( I’ll keep an extra eye on the tree in the meantime.

I noticed you had the can of tree protectant next to the new tree but, you didn’t show painting on the white protectant. Did you do it off screen?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

No I chose not to paint it yet, the cut was very minor. I'll probably coat the whole tree once the buds start growing.

This is awesome! Can you do it in a container? I rent and can't plant a tree in my yard.

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, with a large enough container. And the other benefit is you can haul it inside if the weather gets too frosty.

Scott - can you prune any fruit tree like this? I’m looking at a couple of fig trees to plant just down the road from you in Lake Jackson. Curious what trees you have success with this type of method.

@tiggywinkle7522

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, all fruit trees can be grown with this method. Just got a book at my public library describing this method. By Ann Ralph, called Grow A Little Fruit Tree. Go for it!

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, most fruit trees. Figs respond well to this method. Some figs insist on being more bush and not so tree like, so you have to let the fig sort of do what it wants sometimes.

We just planted a pear tree this year that we picked up from Home Depot. It looked like I they had just recently put a bare root tree in the pot. We mixed half the native soil with cow manure compost. The tree has several branches that are quite vertical. I think its about 5-6' tall. It will receive mainly morning sun but more if its tall. Do I clip off the top when it's the height we want? I will definitely buy another one for a sunnier spot and try this method in the summer.

@ScottHead

Жыл бұрын

Yes you can chop the central leader at the height you prefer.

Hey Scott… going forward do you prune the trees like you do roses? By that I mean do you keep the center open like a bowl and remove any new growth that will cross the center?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, on trees that are formed in the goblet style, open center, just keep the center open. I might let a few branches get into the center if they seem to be tame enough not to be big shade limbs.

Scott, Where I live in Calif. we have terrible soil, hard to call it soil we call it hard pan you can't get threw it with a shovel. So Can I grow these small fruit trees in bags if yes what size would you recommend? Keep up the good work!

@ScottHead

Жыл бұрын

15 to 20 gallon is what Id go for

@spendheretoday3770

Жыл бұрын

Great, that's what I was hoping to hear. Should I be planting them now? Thanks Steve

I did the same thing with a plum last year and it dropped leaves and died within 2 months. Not judging your method, just upset my plum didn't make it.

How late is too late to cut a fruit tree back to around knee high?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Any time in the first two years so long as the tree is dormant.

@LadyGoza

2 жыл бұрын

@@ScottHead How can I contact you besides here on YT? I really need your help in my own yard. I'm a single mom with a special needs child. I feel like I need to cut some of my fruit trees like in this video, but I really don't know what I'm doing. Can you help me?

Hi Scott, do you think it’s too late to do that to a tree planted 2 years ago?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

No, but best to chop when it is dormant.

What type of plum tree do you have, please. Thanks

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Santa Rosa Plum.

@rootsshootsgardenboots

2 жыл бұрын

@@ScottHead Thank you. I have a Byron gold…I think I’m gonna need a pollinizer.

Will this also work for apple and pear trees?

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

It works for pears, see my video on how to train apple trees to a central leader: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Znph0s1_hampYMY.html

Hi Scott. I planted my Red Baron Peach Tree bare root about a month ago and it has red blossom now for about a week. I understand that if I get fruit I should pick them off so the tree will put all energy into the root system. What is your suggestion on that? Thanks and have a great night. And how is Phoebe doing?

@juneramirez8580

2 жыл бұрын

ralph. I heard the same thing as you. I grew a beautiful peach tree that produced great fruit the first year because I did not remove the fruit. The second year it was growing and then died! Same with a plum. So I guess there is truth to it! I live in the low desert of AZ where summer temps reach 117 and sometimes higher. The roots really need to get established!

@ralph601

2 жыл бұрын

@@juneramirez8580 Thank you for your thought.

@tiggywinkle7522

2 жыл бұрын

Also the reason for a strong pruning back after first planting. Gives root system a better chance at getting established.

@ralph601

2 жыл бұрын

@@tiggywinkle7522 Thank you.

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, remove fruit in the first year to let the tree get established and grow some scaffold branches.

You shouldn’t plant it so deep.. amending isn’t going to hurt the tree either lol. There may be a reason you’ve lost other trees

@ScottHead

2 жыл бұрын

Going off of advice from Kuffel Creek and Dave Wilson, using their methods.