Hello all!

I'm hoping to get some advice, or even just some validation that I'm not completely ruining my tree. This is the first time I've done any kind of pruning, and I know that this tree needs it. We've been in this house for two years, and I don't know the last time it was pruned before then.

I'm doing my best to follow any advice I find online. But I'm still a little scared of removing too much.

I've attached a photo of where the tree started, and where it is at the moment. I assume I'm doing the right thing by removing all of those tall sticking-straight-up branches, yes? Those are watersprouts? (Even though they appear to have buds on them?)

In the second photo, does it look like I should still prune back those long, thing branches that aren't sticking straight up? Will the tree still produce fruit come spring and summer?

Any advice you could offer would be super helpful. Thanks so much for having a look!

https://preview.redd.it/htplec2989ce1.png?width=2770&format=png&auto=webp&s=c91f89da23381e6be5fe33c55e9272d8831ecff6

After having 28 seeds sprouts and start growing this winter (72 planted) my seedlings are starting to have problems.... mix is peat(2), perlite (1) and vermiculite (1)... room is 73 degrees... 44-50% humidity.... I have been 1/2 dose fertilizing with liquid (basic miracle grow) since they got their 3rd set of true leaves... they have 2 - 2ft 6500k T5 LED strips above them .. about 10-12 inch away... so should be plenty of light... but they seem to be slowly drying up and shriveling to nothing... any help would be appreciated... thanks

https://preview.redd.it/6u2uhtc3k8ce1.jpg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f36a3df8d36f691386548ef71309b26a0ae604f

https://preview.redd.it/ry9999w4k8ce1.jpg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=518184d040f87b464072b7091dcc175a06bfdb89

https://preview.redd.it/cn7zq8w4k8ce1.jpg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04301d0baaa6d13178d9f18ce8d9dc9e89bbe78b

https://preview.redd.it/vwe9r9w4k8ce1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65152dbac1d28de8fa78afe4b93bc6caa56609cd

I just got some bareroot trees (cherry, plum, almond, peach), and I live in zone 8b. It's been averaging at 60F-40F for the high and 40F-20F for the low, though it can get down into the teens at night, it's just rare. Google says to wait until March for the cherry and plums, but they're bareroot and you're supposed to plant those immediately. I really don't want to damage them, but I do have some pots laying around, so I could plant them in there while I wait for March to roll around. Thoughts?

I usually don't prep the soil much, just use native soil, but not sure if there's some additives that would help my trees establish better. What do you add to the hole at planting? Also, I saw somewhere about using a PVC pipe at planting time to bottom water the trees, good idea or it won't make a difference?

What and when can I spray to treat pear rust? My two trees I planted last year had it. Does copper work? Anything bacteria-based?

I’ve gotten rid of my junipers, and I don’t see others around the neighborhood, so that’s good at least.

Thanks!

I have a Meyer lemon tree here in Brisbane, happy and healthy Lemons look superb on the outside, about 40 on the tree But when you cut one open it’s browned around the edges inside. What would be causing this? I have had trouble with bronze orange bugs and removing them daily, otherwise I can’t put my finger on it.

Looking to add a pear tree or two to my backyard orchard and can’t really find much info on pear trees as far as what would work well in my climate. I know a lot of pear trees aren’t self fertile and many require 500 plus chill hours. So I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what I should plant. I live in a humid part of east texas, zone 9b. Looking for something that tastes good and is decently dismissed resistant. Any advice??

I got a lemon guava tree recently for free (someone was about to throw it away). I see there's a string embedded in it. The trunk seems to have grown around it, and there's fruit on the tree. I dont think i can remove the string, maybe i can cut off the part that's "outside" the tree. Is the tree going to be OK? Anything i need to be careful about?

[see pics attached] https://ibb.co/w0M2NzL https://ibb.co/4sN5pMM

Why does it look like this?!🙂 Zone 7a

I have a Santa Rosa plum planted in my front yard and I'm considering planting a Flavor King pluot 50ft away in the backyard. The trees would have a clear line of sight with each other and a 7ft difference in elevation. The higher end of planting distance guidance I've seen says to keep them within 70ft but I just want to make sure these trees will be able to help each other out. Anyone have any experience with planting distances of fruit trees?

Hello All,

It's been a few year since this apple tree was pruned. I do not know what kind of apple it is, I just know it's apple. We usually make apple pie with it.

Anyways, it seems like the branches are super long and skinny. The apples usually don't get too big, probably because we don't properly trim it.....

https://preview.redd.it/grjmxbepflbe1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a58e5264f90e35885ca99eea77f5d51f105cce65

https://preview.redd.it/7tqnso4qflbe1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25e1a40ab6c3581305f32c87f5300bbd45111351

Red being rootstock with two different Scions grafted at the middle of the horizontal growth as seen in this pic.

At 5800’ elevation in Arizona. Looking at planting a blood orange, in a large container or in the ground.

How much frost protection am I really going to need? Every night this week will drop below freezing in an otherwise hot winter.

Can I use my laundry greywater? Using “biodegradable” soap but right now it’s just irrigating a bush I want to remove.

Hello everyone! I'm thinking about starting an espalier setup for Macintosh apples (since I can't find them ANYWHERE in colorado 😫) my question is: when setting up the trellis, is it preferred to obviously have it south facing, but do I need something solid to attach the trellis to? Does it have to be a wall? Or could I attach it to 4 x 4 posts spaced out every 8 feet or so?

I've heard attaching it to a wall can provide some protection against wind and weather, but is it absolutely necessary? Colorado 6A

TIA!

I started my backyard orchard two years ago so this is only my second “spring” experiencing my trees coming out of dormancy and I also had a baby a month ago so I have not been paying the closest attention to my trees. I noticed this morning that my nectarine is starting to bloom and my two cherries, peach, plum and fig are all starting to wake up. Is this too early? Or is it fine based on the weather?

I don't think I understand the little paragraph in "Grow a little fruit tree" where it says "remove upright growth at the base to keep pomegranate airy and in bounds". It lists pomegranate as an exception to the regular pruning rules. This is it's first winter but I didn't purchase it as a bare-root but as a potted plant. It was also somewhat larger than a typical bare-root so I'm worried about the knee height cut that's typically recommended.

I already removed a lot of branches that were in undesirable locations and twisted with other branches. I'm not sure what to do with the two leading stems. Thanks!!

Just transplanted a 2 gallon California buckeye to our Central Coast ranch. We haveca terrible ground squirrel, mole and gopher problem. Thinking that a rodent cage would be appropriate, I fabbed on out of 3/8" rabbit wire to protect the root ball. Once planted, I am second guessing myself. Rather than protecting the root ball from being a light snack, I'm I going to prevent the tree from sending deep roots into the nayive soil? It is planted on a small hill under the protective canopy of a few live oaks.