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{{external|rs=Fruit Tree Patch}}
{{otheruses|fruit tree patches|the regular type of tree patch|Tree patch}}
'''Fruit tree patches''' are [[Farming]] patches used to grow fruit-bearing [[tree]]s. Growing fruit trees are somewhat different to other plants, in that there is an intermediate growing stage where the seed must be grown into a '''sapling''' before being planted into a cleared fruit tree patch.

The necessary [[seeds]] to grow them can be obtained from [[bird nest]]s, drops from monsters, [[farming contract]]s, or by other means. Sources of seeds may be found in the [[Farming guide|Farming skill guide]].

First, an empty [[plant pot]] may be used on any farming patch, as long as it's empty, with a [[gardening trowel]] to fill the [[plant pot]] with soil; clicking on the pot and then an empty patch works just as well if you don't have a trowel with you. Plant the fruit tree seed on the pot with a [[gardening trowel]] and water it with a [[watering can]]. After a few minutes, the seedling will grow into a sapling which can then be planted in a cleared fruit tree patch; players must have a [[spade]] in their inventory when planting and removing the stump of a fruit tree.

Before or after transplanting the sapling, the player can add [[compost]], [[supercompost]], or [[ultracompost]] to the patch to reduce chance of disease. This has no effect on the amount of fruit generated by the tree. Alternatively, they can pay the nearby farmer to look after it to completely eliminate disease-risk; seedlings and saplings are unable to become diseased while growing in a plant pot. If a fruit tree becomes diseased, using [[secateurs]] or [[magic secateurs]] on it to prune the diseased leaves will bring it back to a healthy state.

Fully-grown fruit trees will bear six [[fruit]] which can be picked by players. A fruit tree will continue to grow fruit over time, to a maximum of six, unless it is cut down and its stump dug up, with a new fruit regenerating every 40 minutes. Gardeners can instantly remove a fruit tree for a fee of 200 [[coins]]. Fruits have various uses, such as being a common ingredient in [[Gnome cooking]] and other items which players can make using the [[Cooking]] skill. Some fruits are also used as ingredients in potions made using the [[Herblore]] skill.

Growing a healthy fruit tree is required for various [[achievement diaries]].

{{:Fruit tree patch/Seeds}}
{{:Fruit tree patch/Patches}}

==Changes==
{{Subject changes header}}
{{Subject changes
|date = 28 April 2016
|update = Calling Pets & Deadman Death
|poll = Old School Content Poll 41: Bank placeholders & Skillcapes
|change = It is now possible to add compost or supercompost to any farming patch during any growth stage of a crop.
}}
{{Subject changes
|date = 8 October 2015
|update = Smoke Battlestaff Buff
|change = Left-click pruning farming patches now checks for held magic secateurs.
}}
{{Subject changes footer}}

{{Farming patches}}
{{Trees}}
{{Seeds}}