A lot of this goes back to root stock, if you use a dwarf root stock the tree needs to be supported. As drought tolerance will go back to root stock.
How tall of a tree to you want 10',15' 25', full size? this is determine by rootstock. I want free standing trees (no support) and about 25' tall so I went with M.111 root stock. M.111 is fairly drought tolerant.
Of my 60 trees I am water 40 of them and letting 20 fend for themself (2 separate orchards). Of the 40, 16 where just planted this year. The 40 are doing great since I haul 200+ gallons of water to them and water 4 trees with it. I do this once in the morning and evening, so I get 8 trees done per day. The orchard is on a hill so I have 4 hoses and use gravity to do its thing.
Of the 20 tress I am not watering only one of them is looking really bad and may not make it, so far.
I don't normally water it is the drought that is making it do it this year, have never done it before.
Last edited by lassig; 08/10/12 01:58 PM.
