looking for any information on basics of fruit tree planting, how long takes before they establish and bear, how far apart orchard trees should be planted away from each other etc.

my mother lives in wichita, kansas and is looking to plant apple, peach, cherry, apricot and some nut trees on her property.

any help in this area would be appreciated.

thanks.

Reply to post by rstuart, on February 15, 2002 at 17:58:37:

The subject you raise is answered in publications (library and bookstore), at tree nurseries, on the internet, etc. I suggest a search on Google.com for specific subject matter. The link I post here is from a search I did for "tree spacing orchard". There are agricultural extension sites (when they are up and on line), that have loads of info.
I would start by asking (your mother) what the purpose of the orchard is: home use? small business production? larger scale planting?
The kinds of trees: varieties? pollinators? dwarf, semi-dwarf, standard size?
When you have the larger picture, the generalized reality firmly in grasp, then you can search out the details.
Often local advice is the best, based upon local knowledge and experience. You might seek local orchardists for advice (if there are any).
The tree nursery would be a likely place to gain advice on the trees they provide, as well as more general information.
Planting trees and maintaining them is no small commitment. Planting trees may be a strong statement for hope in the future.