Question to the apple experts - Safe Distance ??

[Bowsnbucks]

What is a safe distance to stay away from apple, crab, & pear trees with plows, disks, harrows, tillers ?? I ask this so any of us don't slice and tear-up the feeder roots of our trees and end up killing them. I know some guys on here plant clover, brassica, rye, etc. around their orchard trees. Just want us all to avoid disaster !!

 

[sagittarius]

At a minimum, the outside drip edge of the leaves. A few more feet can't hurt. I'ld be more worried about herbicide drift or vapors.

 

[j-bird]

I agree with staying at least away to the drip line. I planted my trees in an existing clover plot and when I re-do it I will simply terminate the plot and try a throw and mow sort of method. A disc is one thing (just stay real shallow) but I would certainly avoid a plow or any deep tillage type of equipment. It doesn't take much more than some real light surface disturbance to get small seeds to germinate properly.

 

[Prof.Kent]

The top 6" of soil is where the tree and any plants under the tree vie for nutrients. Younger fruit trees cannot compete very well with grasses, causing the tree to go deeper with their roots. That's good for drought conditions--deeper roots, but the nutrients are near the surface. Older trees tend to shade the ground beneath them and they do not have as much competition. That's why mulch helps so much; it enriches the soil, smothers competing plants, and retains moisture. The most of the "hair roots" (nutrient gathering roots) of the tree are near surface. Tilling no more than 1" deep to cut down weeds would be fine. Killing under the tree with Roundup would be OK. Make sure there are not fruit tree suckers growing! Roundup enters the plant through the leaves, not the bark. My the way, "Suckers" grow from the roots of the tree; "Water Sprouts" grow vertically from lateral branches.)

 

[yoderjac]

What is a safe distance to stay away from apple, crab, & pear trees with plows, disks, harrows, tillers ?? I ask this so any of us don't slice and tear-up the feeder roots of our trees and end up killing them. I know some guys on here plant clover, brassica, rye, etc. around their orchard trees. Just want us all to avoid disaster !!

None of those crops require more than scratching the surface of the soil if that. I prefer clover as a base. It fixes N and can last many years with nothing but occasional mowing. This reduces the chances of a herbicide getting somewhere you don't want it.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Prof.Kent]

None of those crops require more than scratching the surface of the soil if that. I prefer clover as a base. It fixes N and can last many years with nothing but occasional mowing. This reduces the chances of a herbicide getting somewhere you don't want it.

Thanks,

Jack

I agree wholeheartedly with Jack. If it gets too shady under the tree the clover won't grow well. As mustard is to meat, so clover is trees. It can do no wrong.

 

[chickenlittle]

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/root_pruning_guide_for_apple_trees_to_reduce_excessive_vigor

Not exactly what was asked but here are guidelines for root pruning apple trees. It can be done as an orchard management practice.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I won't be planting any crops under our fruit trees. We just have grass for easy mowing, and don't want clover under them for when we spray for bugs. Don't want to kill bees.

I asked the question to head off any negative soil disturbance any of us might make, and ruin our planted trees. A few years back, guys at my camp decided to plow between the rows of trees in the orchard to plant clover or some other crop. They plowed right up to about 4 ft. from the trunks and the trees died. My camp will NOT make that mistake again !! I actually don't know what the safe clearance distance is for avoiding a similar train wreck for any guys on here who plant among their trees.

 

[yoderjac]

I won't be planting any crops under our fruit trees. We just have grass for easy mowing, and don't want clover under them for when we spray for bugs. Don't want to kill bees.

I asked the question to head off any negative soil disturbance any of us might make, and ruin our planted trees. A few years back, guys at my camp decided to plow between the rows of trees in the orchard to plant clover or some other crop. They plowed right up to about 4 ft. from the trunks and the trees died. My camp will NOT make that mistake again !! I actually don't know what the safe clearance distance is for avoiding a similar train wreck for any guys on here who plant among their trees.

Beyond the drip line should be safe for the trees, but no distance is safe for the soil.

 

[Northbound]

I'll admit, I disc right up to my trees. Lately my main orchard I plant pumpkins and then turnips and rye after pumpkins get picked. I've never killed a tree but I'm sure it dont help. I do gain free rootstocks this way. I assume it's from the disc nicking the roots anyways

 

[yoderjac]

I'll admit, I disc right up to my trees. Lately my main orchard I plant pumpkins and then turnips and rye after pumpkins get picked. I've never killed a tree but I'm sure it dont help. I do gain free rootstocks this way. I assume it's from the disc nicking the roots anyways

Depends how deep you disc. A bottom plow is a different story.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

I'll admit, I disc right up to my trees. Lately my main orchard I plant pumpkins and then turnips and rye after pumpkins get picked. I've never killed a tree but I'm sure it dont help. I do gain free rootstocks this way. I assume it's from the disc nicking the roots anyways

I have been discing mine as well, right up to the cages, but the drip line has barely grown out of the cages yet, so I am not to concerned. i have been planting turnips/radishes, and rye in the fall. No issues with mine yet either.