Factors Affecting Growth of Fruit Trees

To facilitate drainage, plant fruit trees on slopes.

To facilitate drainage, plant fruit trees on slopes.

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Growing fruit trees requires lots of TLC, but your efforts will be rewarded with a delicious crop of apples, oranges, cherries or another tasty treat. For trees that bear lots of fruit, various factors affecting growth come into play, making the difference between sickly trees and ones that are healthy and productive.


Exposure to sunlight is vital the growth of fruit trees, with most species requiring six to eight hours of full sun every day. Planting fruit trees in a shady area results in weak, stunted trees that produce few fruits and flowers, according to the University of New Hampshire. However, the trunks of free trees burn in bright sun and should be painted with a protective layer of whitewash or white latex paint, diluted with water to half its regular strength.


Proper soil is imperative to the survival and growth of fruit trees. If planted in soggy, poorly drained soil, the roots of fruit trees will rot, obstructing growth and development. Though pear, plum and apple trees can withstand moister soil than other fruit tree varieties, loam soils are ideal, as they drain quickly. Also avoid planting fruit trees in dense clay soil, which prevents roots from properly taking hold.


Fruit trees have different fertilization needs than most trees. Applying a typical 4-1-1 fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potash to fruit trees results in heavy foliage growth, but few flowers and fruits, according to This Old House. Instead, give fruit trees a fertilizer with a low amount of nitrogen, half of which should be water insoluble. Such a fertilizer breaks down slowly, providing fruit trees with a steady diet of the nutrients required for steady, paced growth.


Weeds and fruit trees are a bad match. The roots of trees are ill-equipped to compete with hungry weeds for nutrients and water, which leads to poor growth. The roots of trees also suffer when weeds flourish, as they must reach further into the ground, away from the nutrient-rich top 2 feet of soil. Weeds also steal nitrogen, making fertilizing ineffective. Additionally, various pests and rodents hide in weeds, exposing trees to harm.

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Hallie Engel


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