Siren - The Darwin Project

Managing and Caring for Fruit Trees

MANAGING AND CARING FOR FRUIT TREES

After all the fruit trees have been carefully planted, they need continuos good management if they are to produce the maximum amount of top class fruit.

Basin Management

Every fruit must be surrounded by a basin, a place through which you can water, compost manure and mulch the plant. The diameter of the canopy should be at least the size of the tree canopy. This enables the roots to grow longer in their search for food. As the tree grows enlarge the basin.

The basin rim can be made of subsoil removed from the hole. Roots can only grow in moist soils in search for plant nutrients. So the importance of watering the plant cannot be over emphasised.

Weeding and mulching

The basins should be free of weeds at all times. The weeds use up plant nutrients and water which the fruit trees require. A 150 mm thick mulch of hay or other organic material on the basin will suppress weeds and make weeding easier.

Companion plants

These plants help trees grow well; beans, peas, yarrow, comfrey, and lucerne.

Continue to care for your tree. The main things to remember about helping your trees thrive are: water, food and protection against animals and pests. Make sure your tree is fenced off from animals or it will never get the chance to grow.

Manuring

One of the most valuable requirements for a successful orchard is a plentiful supply of compost and manure. The manure and compost supply plant nutrients to the soil, improve the water holding capacity and structure the soil, and even suppress the weeds. Cow, goat, sheep and even rabbit manure can be used, provided it does not come in contact with the stems of the fruit trees.

Controlling pests and diseases

It is important to closely inspect the leaves, the developing fruit and the bark of all your fruit trees. This is called scouting. Take note off all pests and diseases. Pests and diseases can affect the quantity and quality of the fruit produced. Termites can sometimes be a problem, watering and cultivating the basins usually keeps them under control.

Pruning

Pruning means ‘to cut off branches’. Some fruit trees need pruning;

To control the number and size of fruit produced.
To maintain their proper shape and size for harvesting ease.
To control suckers that are unneeded shoots coming from underground stems or roots or from leaf axils.
To remove dead and diseased wood.

Reference:

Moran F. T. Success in Vegetable and Fruit Production Longman [1992]

Parsons B. J. New Certificate in Agriculture Longman [1988]

Compiled by:

J. Z. Nyilika

Community Development Officer

Painted Dog Conservation and

Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe


© Siren Conservation Education 2003.