The best soils for fruit production are the deep soils that have greater than 36 inches of soil favorable for root development with at least 10 inches of surface soil. Some successful peach orchards are located on soils two feet deep underlain by rocks. However, the soil is well drained and optimum fertility and regular irrigation is provided. Four to six feet of soil is most desirable, especially for apples, plums, and pears. Fruit trees will not tolerate wet soils during the growing season, especially in the spring during bud and shoot development.
Tree roots can withstand some submergence during the winter dormant period.
However, any soil with standing water for more than one week after heavy rains should be avoided. Small wet spots can be drained or used for another purpose. Larger areas, even when properly drained should not be planted to fruit trees in Oklahoma. Trees on these soils tend to be relatively small, poorly formed, short lived, and produce inconsistent crop yields. The dominant soil color is usually gray with varying amounts of yellows and browns.