Try "Wiggle" Trick After Planting Fruit Trees

Q. My newly planted fruit trees you told me to, "Check for root problems by bending the tree over and see if it wiggles in the soil."  How hard should I push?  When I push my tree, it does move in the soil, but I wouldn't say it “wiggles”.

A. The tree should be solid in the soil, and not “wiggle”, after it is planted. Staking helps but doesn’t replace proper planting. Moving the top of the tree back and forth (like a strong wind is blowing) says a lot about potential problems during the first year and future establishment.

"Wiggle" the Tree After Planting

            After the soil has settled from planting and watering, move the top of the tree back and forth (wiggle it), before staking, to see if it was planted too deep . Once staked, a tree is tough to “wiggle” and for you to make that determination.

            If your tree never leafed out or, if it did, the leaves promptly died, the tree was most likely planted too deep. A tree should not be planted more than ½ inch below the surrounding soil.

After planting this tree, it was "wiggled" or the stem moved back and forth before staking. Wiggling the tree shows where the roots are planted and how deep the tree is in the soil. If the tree is more than 1/2 inch too deep then it must be removed from the hole and replanted. Planting a fruit tree too deep can result in the tree dying from trunk diseases.

Plant the Same Depth Where it was Growing in the Container

            Plant the tree at the same depth it grew in the container or (if bare root) the same depth it grew in the field when harvested. When no soil is attached to the roots (bare root) look for a color change in the trunk separating below ground and above ground parts. A metal stake (or stakes), driven deep enough so it is in solid ground, and tied to the tree with stretchable, plastic tape a few times keeps the trunk and roots from moving.

All plants should be planted the same depth they were in the container. If they are "bare root" trees, there is a change in color on the trunk that will show you the depth it was growing in the field. It should be planted at the same depth. Not deeper or soil piled against the trunk. That will kill the tree!

Mistakes Made at Planting Time

            Mistakes I see frequently at planting time are planting trees too deep, planting too shallow (so roots are exposed after watering), not staking, and digging the planting hole too deep when there is no good reason for doing that. Some people don’t stake trees because they think its not necessary. Well, staking shouldn’t be necessary when the tree is small and there is no wind.

Bareroot trees have no soil attached to them. Container plants are easier to plant because you can see exactly how deep to plant. If you are not sure, look at the roots. The roots are growing immediately below the soil and grow deeper. Barely cover the roots when finished planting.

            When trees are planted correctly, and before they are staked, they should feel like they are solid in the ground when moved back and forth. Then stake them so the lower trunk and roots don’t move later on.

Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle

            “Wiggling” the tree from side to side (when it’s not yet staked) visually exposes trees that are planted too deep. Look down. The tree trunk makes a larger hole in the soil when its moved back and forth. That’s a sign the tree just may have been planted too deep.

            You know that old saying, “Dig a $50 hole for a $5 tree,” is still a valuable adage even if the money is wrong.