How to Make Fruit Trees Produce
- 1). Go outside and look at how your tree has grown over the past couple years. According to the Penn State University Cooperative Extension, the number one reason why fruit trees refuse to bear fruit is that they have grown too vigorously. When a fruit tree grows vigorously it expends all of its energy in the growing process and does not allocate enough energy to produce flower buds. If your tree has a very thick branching structure this is a possible sign that its growth needs to be controlled and it needs to be pruned. To prevent or control overly vigorous growth, stop fertilizing the tree and begin thinning out some of the smaller branches to allow light to better penetrate the canopy.
- 2). Measure the new growth on your tree. Fruit-bearing trees should average a foot to a foot and a half of new growth per year. If your tree's new growth measures over that amount then you need to hold off on fertilizing it until you can get it into that ideal growth range. However, if your tree has grown under that range, increase the amount of nitrogen you fertilize with by 25 percent. Ammonium sulfate has a fertilizer ratio of 21-0-0, which makes it perfect for this type of situation.
- 3). Plant fruit trees close to your house or in the most frost-free sections of your yard. According to the Penn State University Cooperative Extension, frost damage is the number two most common cause of a failure to produce fruit. They suggest that you never plant a tree in low spots in your yard because of frost concerns.
- 4). Analyze the other trees in your yard that are possible pollinators. Poor pollination is another common cause of a fruit tree's failure to bear fruit. If you think you have done everything else right, and pollination might be an issue, consider adding another pollinator to your landscape. In addition, bees are the main source of pollination so keep this in mind if you are a heavy user of insecticides.