Category Archives: Tree Care

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

Year One Costs:

• Two apple trees: $50.
• Planting labor: $20.
• Sprayer: $25.
• Spray materials: $45.
• Lopper for pruning: $45.
• Ten-foot tripod ladder: $130.
• Hand shears: $25.
• Handsaw: $30.

Year Two Costs:

• Three insecticide sprays (labor included): $30.
• Two fungicide sprays (labor included): $20.
• Training and pruning (labor included): $20.
• Fruit thinning (labor included): $20.
• Fall cleanup: $20.
• Four pheromone lures and traps: $30.
• Fertilizer: $10.

Year Three Costs:

• Three insecticide sprays (labor included): $30.
• Fungicides: $30.
• Two fungicide sprays (labor included): $20.
• Training and pruning (labor included): $20.
• Fruit thinning (labor included): $20.
• Fall cleanup: $20.
• Four pheromone lures and traps: $30.
• Tree netting: $25.

Year Four Costs:

• Four pheromone lures and traps: $30.
• Three insecticide sprays (labor included): $30.
• Fall cleanup: $20.
• Fertilizer: $10.
• Insecticides and fungicides: $40.
• Two fungicide sprays (labor included): $20.
• Training and pruning (labor included): $20.
• Fruit thinning (labor included): $20.