Trees planted as two-year-olds generally come into flowering quicker than trees planted as one-year-old maidens. Part of this effect is explained by the increased branching (feathering) that is commonly found on two-year-old trees.
- However, a recent trial planted at East Malling Research showed that, even when the length and number of feathers on one-year-old and two-year-old trees were approximately the same, the two-year-old trees still came into flowering more quickly following orchard planting.
- One possible reason for this effect is the larger/older root system on the two-year-old trees at the time of planting and the possible increased transplanting ‘check’ to growth.
- However, it was interesting to note that, in the subsequent years of this trial, the trees planted as one-year-olds grew away better and after several years were outcropping the trees planted as two-year-olds.
A severe transplanting check can be induced by stringfellowing the trees.
- This involves cutting off most of the roots to leave very short root stubs at the time of planting.
- Trials have shown that stringfellowed trees grow less but form more flower buds in the first one or two seasons following planting.
Another method of causing a temporary check to growth in the first season is to plant the trees late in the spring when higher soil temperatures induce rapid root development and shoot growth has less time to develop.
- This results in better quality fruit bud being laid down and improved cropping in the subsequent year.
- Successful establishment of trees planted as late as May requires very well prepared soil with a high organic matter content and immediate application of trickle irrigation after planting followed by an intensive fertigation regime.
The storage of trees for up to six months requires specialist cold stores with fogging systems to create a high humididty without wetting the trees and treatments to reduce development of diseases such as Phytophtora and Nectria.