Winter is an excellent time to plant new fruit trees.
January 29, 2025 - The dormant season is the perfect time to plant fruit and nut trees in East Texas. With the cooler temperatures, planting now allows trees to develop strong roots before spring growth begins. If you’ve ever considered adding fruit or nut trees to your landscape, now is the time to get started.
First, make sure you have enough space. Most fruit and nut trees require a full day of sun and an area of at least 25 feet by 25 feet. Keep in mind that a single regionally adapted pear tree, when properly cared for, can produce two bushels of fruit—or about 100 pounds! Avoid planting more trees than you can care for or use.
Bare-root trees require dormant season planting during the winter. Begin by preparing the site. Clear an area at least 4 feet by 4 feet of weeds and grass, and till or spade the soil. If the soil has a hardpan layer beneath it, break it up to allow better drainage. You can create a small berm to elevate the planting site if drainage is a concern.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the tree’s roots, usually about 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Trim and remove any broken or dead roots. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with the same soil, ensuring the tree is planted at the same depth it grew in the nursery. Planting too deep will slowly kill the tree. Mulch around the base with about three inches of compost, pine straw, or other organic mulch. This helps suppress weeds and insulates the soil.
In spring, as grass and weeds begin to grow, maintain a 3- to 4-foot weed-free zone around the tree. You can do this by reapplying mulch or carefully spraying a non-selective herbicide (avoiding contact with the tree trunk or foliage). Keeping this area weed-free is critical for the tree’s success.
Choose fruit and nut varieties that are well-adapted to East Texas. Not all types thrive in our region (many don’t), so selecting the right varieties is key. Medium-sized trees are generally cheaper, easier to plant, and establish better than larger ones. Prune young bare root trees to about 18–24 inches tall at planting. This helps balance the top growth with the reduced root system, promotes strong new growth, and makes training the tree easier.
Before purchasing, inspect the roots for health. Look for healthy white roots without brown streaks and check the trunk for any signs of damage. With proper care, many fruit trees can produce fruit as early as their second year after planting.
For a list of recommended varieties for Smith County, visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Smith County website at smith.agrilife.org and look under the horticulture links. You can also sign up for the free Agriculture-Horticulture monthly newsletter for program flyers, articles, and gardening tips. Information on specific fruit and nut trees is available on the Aggie Horticulture website under “Fruit and Nut Resources.”
If you’d like to learn more about growing fruit, nut, and vegetable crops in East Texas, plan to attend the East Texas Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Conference on Friday, February 7, in Tyler. Details are available on the same website or on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Smith County Facebook page.
Greg Grant, PhD, is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook and Instagram at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.