Fruit Tree Cost Breakdown: There are two main cost considerations for fruit trees - initial year costs and ongoing maintenance costs.
Initial Year Costs:
- Tree itself: The price of the fruit tree is a major factor. Here's a range to consider:
- Bare-root whips (youngest and cheapest): $20-$50
- One-year-old trees: $30-$75
- Two-year-old trees (more established, bear fruit sooner): $50-$100+ (price can vary depending on variety and source)
- Planting:
- You can plant yourself (free) or hire a professional (around $20 per tree for labor).
- Tools and Materials: You might need some basic tools and materials for planting, like:
- Shovel: ~$20
- Mulch: ~$2-3 per bag (amount depends on tree size)
- Stakes and ties (optional, for younger trees): ~$10
- Pruning shears: ~$20 (optional for first year)
- Optional Extras:
- Sprayer: ~$25 (for pest and disease control)
- Spray materials: ~$45 (can last multiple seasons)
- Ladder (for taller trees): ~$100+ (optional, but useful for future maintenance)
Total Initial Year Cost (example):
Let's consider planting two apple trees yourself with basic materials:
- 2 x Bare-root apple trees ($40 each): $80
- Planting labor (DIY): $0
- Shovel: $20
- Mulch: $10
- Pruning shears: $20 (optional)
Total: $130 (without optional shears)
Ongoing Maintenance Costs:
- Pruning tools: You'll likely need pruning tools for future years (loppers, hand saw, shears) - can range from $20-$100 total.
- Pruning: Professional pruning can cost around $75-$150 per tree per year, but you can learn to do it yourself.
- Pest and disease control: Spray materials can cost around $20-$50 per year depending on your needs.
- Fertilizer: Fertilizer can cost around $10-$20 per year.
Resources:
Here are some resources with more details on fruit tree costs:
- Cost Of Fruit Trees: https://www.apnursery.com/fruit-trees-cost/
- How much does it cost to grow and raise a fruit tree?: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/fruit-trees
