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A young apple or pear tree starts life in the garden with a fairly small root system. That makes the first decisions—where to plant, how deep to set the roots and how to water—more important than a large quantity of fertiliser. In Almaty and the surrounding region, consider summer heat, wind and places where meltwater may collect before planting.
Choose a place for the mature tree
Assess the site both in the morning and later in the afternoon. Fruit crops need good light, but a spot beside a wall can be sunny and excessively hot at the same time. Allow room for the future crown, access and maintenance. Spacing depends on the crop, cultivar and rootstock: a compact apple and a vigorous pear cannot follow the same planting plan.
Find out whether the cultivar needs a pollination partner and whether its flowering overlaps with nearby trees. On a small plot, resolve this before buying a second tree. Positioning fruit plants — RHS.
Match the timing to the plant's condition
Plant bare-root trees while dormant, when the ground is workable. Container-grown plants offer more flexibility, but it is better to postpone planting during intense heat. The spring planting window may differ between the foothills and an exposed plain: use soil conditions and the forecast rather than a single date for the entire region.
Check the depth before backfilling
The planting hole should accommodate the roots without bending them. Locate the point where the trunk widens and the first main roots emerge. It should not end up deeply buried after the soil settles. The graft union is a separate landmark: do not confuse it with the root collar, and keep it above the soil as required for the rootstock.
Backfill mainly with the excavated soil. Avoid creating an isolated pocket of very loose, rich compost in dense clay. If water stands here, address the location and drainage; a layer of stones at the bottom will not fix the problem by itself. Planting too deeply — University of Maryland Extension.
Water and check the result
Water the root zone slowly so the moisture can soak in and the soil fills any gaps. Check the tree's alignment and planting level again. Stake only where the tree is unstable; soft ties must not constrict the trunk.
Cover the soil with mulch, leaving a clear space next to the bark. During the first week, check moisture both inside the root ball and beside it. Record the cultivar, rootstock and planting date. These three details will help you choose suitable care a year later, when the original information may have been forgotten.