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Apples: Mulching above a graft union

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in Problem solving
I read that it's always best to plant apple trees so that the graft union is just above the soil. I would like to put a thick layer of manure around the trees, but can't do this without covering the graft union. The trees are in cramped spots so I can't really create a mulch ring around them.

Thoughts please.

Many thanks.

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    The graft union on my apple tree is below soil level and below my bark mulch.  It was a pot grown tree and purchased from a local GC.. and really is grafted because it is still dwarf without pruning eight years later.  Personally, I would pile on the manure and then use a gloved hand to just pull it back an inch or two from the trunk back to soil level.  Or you could cut the bottom and along one side of a plastic pot and put that around the trunk to act as a manure spacer?  Inverted it should sit there fine once you have the manure down to hold it in place.  
    Utah, USA.
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