The trees may be bare rooted (these usually have a chunk of hard clay soil, enclosed in straw or some other protective material around their roots) or they may be container grown. Bare rooted saplings are cheaper than container grown ones but, as they are also younger, take longer to reach fruiting stage.
Before purchasing one, thoroughly inspect saplings for disease, pests and damage; pick perfectly healthy specimens. Also, before setting off the nursery, measure the space you have available for fruit trees – some are suitable for cultivation in large clay pots and other containers –keeping in mind the height and spread of mature trees of whichever species you prefer to plant.
It also preferable to prepare planting holes in advance; the depth and width of planting holes vary according to the size of purchase saplings but a general guide is to dig a hole approximately 18 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide.
The excavated soil should be mixed with a generous helping of organic compost and old, well rotted, organic manure and a hand full of rusty iron (not stainless steel) nails with a clean beef knuckle bone, placed in the bottom of the hole. This will provide plenty of nutrients and essential elements to the saplings for a very long time.
If the sapling needs staking, than a wooden stake should be inserted before the tree is planted; doing so afterwards may damage roots.
When planting the sapling, carefully spread out the delicate roots as much as possible. Add soil a little at a time, water it down; continue until the holes is full and the sapling securely anchored in place.
By B Khan