I am really glad that most people don't think it's the wind that is doing these trees in, because that was going to be the hardest thing to change. I did stake the trees with those green metal fence posts, but to be honest, I don't think it would have made any difference because they never got any bigger than sticks. I kept them weed free but only about 18" in all directions from the trunk so it sounds like that was really inadequate. I was careful to plant them the recommended amount based on the graft mark (I don't recall if I could tell where they were grown in the nursery, but I remember being careful about the graft because of suckering) I watched the area for drainage for almost a year before I put them in, and the ground was not soggy. We also have a much lower spot of ground (kind of a swale) that water drains to in the spring. The trees were planted well above that area. I don't think it is a drainage problem, but I did not ever perform one of those drainage tests (dig a hole, fill with water, time how long it takes to drain). I also made sure I watered during dry weather, but that area out there really cracks once the sun has baked it. It is difficult to get the ground well watered at the end of July. I had mulched with wood chips (there was no sign of damage from voles, etc.) and we have cats that seem to keep the little critters in check. I think that when I put in the new trees I will use gravel around the base. Our property gets baled so I have access to plenty of hay and I use it around my blueberries, so I'll use that around the outside of the gravel. That should help with water issues also. What a great orchard you have thomis! The trees that I planted NEVER had that many leaves. I was anxious about deer coming along and chomping the puny amount of green that I did have and the tree dying from no foliage! I was afraid to use fertilizer since ACN says that fertilizer is one of the leading causes of fruit tree death. It sounds like I need to verify the soil ph once I till everything up and go from there with that issue and probably use some fertilizer. My house is smack dab in the middle of a former farm field. I imagine the soil is probably depleted to start with. Just so I have an idea, what kind of growth can I expect the first year so I know whether the tree is getting established at an appropriate rate and can survive the winter? Thanks once again. I didn't know whether our site was just not going to support fruit trees, but you all have cleared up that issue. I appreciate the help and advice!

You're probably going to be told by people more knowledgable than me to first get a soil test. http://loganlabs.com/customer-tools.html Odds are your soil right now wants no part of what you've been doing to it.

They are indeed small, they must be like first year seedlings. About 7 years ago I became an esteemed Arborday member and I didn't really have a place to plant my 10 "free" trees, it was curiousity more than anything. The 2 trees in these photos are from the same 10 Arborday trees deal, planted in mid 02'. I gave all mine away, 2 of them are thriving today. I think the rest just perished in some way or another. I think my Mom was repeatedly running over some with a lawnmower. I can't find a photo of the Redbud when it was tiny, I only have two 4+ mos. ago photos of it. The Crabapple is growing good at an Aunt and Uncle's house. The first 2 photos is the Crabapple then and now and the last 2 are the Redbud. They are just tiny trees, but trees none-the-less, it just takes a few years until they get big. I also think that the Arborday foundation would like everybody to think they're this great charity, I think their all about profit. A few years ago I visited Arborday's headquarters up there in Nebraska, it is really a production. The place is like an amusement park, it IS worth a visit though. They have a nice park there, oddly enuff it is called a state park, I'm pretty sure its not really an official state park. The whole thing must be about a half billion dollar complex there. Heres some photos of the park entrance and the lodge (see the plaques before the trees?). The Arborday photos will be the last two. I think they'd like everybody to think they founded Earth Day..lol, although they did found their Arbor Day holiday which is real close to Earth Day. I must admit I do kinda like the Arborday jingle before Earth Day. "Plant a tree for you and me"!

Hi Rhizo, Thanks for replying. Actually, I'm fairly certain I know what the cause is... the construction in that spot of the yard has compacted what used to be decent soil. We used to have a very lush yard there... with a mature plum and ginormous lemon tree (now my master bath LOL) and mature perennials such as salvia and lavender and agapanthus. When the contractor finished the addition, the (jerk) building inspector insisted the topsoil they left drain away from the house so they just moved the clay soil closer to the foundation and hand stamped it down to show a slight grade. And after a winter and a spring with nothing planted in it... thus... clay. I'm also calling it "hardpan" undeneath but I'm not sure it's technically a hardpan... but it's definitely very hard clay. When I water for a couple minutes over the planting bed, there are just parts that still have puddles of water sitting on top of the clay. Does that give you enough information to help me decide whether I should add more organic at this point? Or at least whether I should go in there and hand till deeper. Your information is always so helpful to folks here. Thanks!