The Heirloom Orchardist

On Planting Fruit Trees, Part 2

Despite the value of a nice large “ten dollar hole” (see On Planting Fruit Trees, Part 1), there’s a catch: Don’t be tempted to set the tree too deeply. In 1835, Mr. C. Spencer, of Muskingum Co. Ohio presented this problem to The Ohio Farmer, and it was reprinted in the Yankee Farmer on April 27, 1835:

"Another error frequently committed, is in setting the tree too deep in the ground. The roots should always be placed within the upper soil. Some twenty years ago, two farmers in this neighborhood, who procured their trees from the same nursery, planted each an orchard in similar soil. The one set his trees with a hoe, placing them very shallow in the ground, the other, with his spade prepared a hole about fifteen inches deep, for the reception of his. The latter orchard made but little improvement for some three years, while the former proceeded immediately to thrive and grow. On examination it was found, that the roots of those which were planted deep, remained perfectly stationary in the cold clay, while a fresh set put forth from the body of the tree."

Mr. Spencer’s advice is even more critical today, 140 years later. Many of our fruit trees are actually a combination of two trees. That is, many commercially grown fruit trees are comprised of a scion or bud graft (of the fruit variety you want) grown upon a hardy rootstock of some other genetic source. When planting, it’s important to be sure the graft union is set above the soil surface. If you’re new to planting trees, you may want to try using a tree planting board:

This old easy-to-make tool was used by the Heirloom Orchardist to get his orchard trees lined up perfectly. But it also works as a guide to set each tree at the appropriate depth (perhaps Mr. Spencer used one?). Today’s Heirloom Orchardist is fortunate to have numerous durable tree support and protection tools at his/her disposal

On Planting Fruit Trees, Part 1

A quick web search on how to plant fruit trees, or any plant, will cause you to come upon some good advice that usually reads something like this: “Never plant a ten-dollar tree in a one-dollar hole.” In fact, the statement (or some form of it) occurs so frequently that this Heirloom Orchardist wanted to know the origin of the advice. When did this snippet of wisdom come about? Well, after some exhaustive research, I must report that I still haven’t a clue.

But the advice does go back, at least as far as the year 1900. Here are some examples of what I was able to dig up (so to speak):

1922: The Amateur's Book Of The Dahlia, by Mrs. Charles H. Stout:

"Our lovable friend, Dean Hole, once made a remark which another lovable friend in Oregon since brought up to date, saying: 'It is better to plant a ten cent root in a hole which cost a dollar to make, than to plant a root costing a dollar in a hole which cost ten cents to make.'” (p. 35)

1916: How to Grow Roses, published by The Conard & Jones Company:

“A very successful grower of roses in New York State once remarked to a meeting of his rose society: 'I would rather plant a 15-cent rose in a 50-cent hole than plant a 50-cent rose in a 15-cent hole. He was wise.'” (p. 14)

1913: Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany, Vol. III, No. 1:

“One of our local horticulturists and botanists is fond of saying that a ten cent tree planted in a fifty cent hole will soon outgrow and always surpass in healthful vigor a fifty cent tree planted in a ten cent hole. He is quite right.” (p. 452)

1900: The Romance Of Gilbert Holmes, by Marshall Monroe Kirkman:

“…but men will plant a ten-dollar tree in a five-cent hole, and then blame the seller if it dies. There is nothing in such economy…” (p. 366)

Because the last example comes from a novel, not from a horticultural “how to” manual, I’d like to believe that I’ve found the original source of this sage advice. But regrettably, I would not be quite right. I would not be wise. This has got to be an old saying that goes back at least as far as the start of the nursery industry, when a specified value was first assigned to a plant. So I’ll let this topic go, and just give Marshall Monroe Kirkman the credit. I’ve spent much too much valuable time on this research project already. It’s worthless to spend 5 hours on a silly post (or twelve months for that matter), when I could spend 5 minutes on a worthwhile one. There’s nothing in such economy.

The Backyard Orchardist: A Complete Guide to Growing Fruit Trees in the Home Garden