Fruit Trees

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are a great addition to your landscape, if you like to eat the fruit. The most important point about fruit trees is that most people like the idea of a fruit tree more than the reality of having one.

Fruit trees take work. The fruit gets full of worms unless it is sprayed at the right time. The tree must be trimmed properly to get the right size of fruit. Fruit tree limbs can break because of the heavy fruit. Finally, how many bushels can you eat at harvest time? To make it work, you need to be someone that either has a gardener or likes to spend time outside working on it. If this fits you, than a fruit tree can bring be a great addition to your home.

Apple
There are many varieties to choose from. You should consider your geographic area and apple preferences before choosing a variety. The most common mistake in planting apple trees is that most people don't take into account pollination.

Apple trees are not self pollinate. They need a secondary tree. For this reason, it's better to plant two different apple varieties that bloom together. In this way, you will get the best fruit. Some apple tree blooms produce sterile pollen and some non apple trees can pollinate. One, non apple pollinator, is the Crabapple. You may wish to get a Spring Snow Crabapple with your apple tree.

Don't spray the tree with insecticide around blooming time. It will kill the bees.

Cherry
Cherry trees have some of the most beautiful blossoms of any tree. The Japanese Kamikaze Warriors considered that if they died in battle at least they would go out in a beautiful way; like a cherry tree blossom.

Cherries are loved by birds. If you want to save the fruit, you may need to get a net and cover the tree.

Cherry trees grow from seeds. If you are eating cherries and spit out the seeds, some of them may actually take root. Most people prefer to buy a larger tree from the store, but you can actually plant them from seed.

Like apples, most cherry tree varieties need cross pollination. For this reason, it's better to get two to three different cherry tree varieties.

Cherry trees are either sweet or sour. Make sure you are getting the variety you want. A lot of people accidentally plant the sour cherries that are used for baking when they really wanted sweet cherries to eat off the tree.

Plum
Plums are of three different types belonging to the European, Damson and Japanese groups. Plums rate just behind apples as the most popular homegrown fruit around.

The Damson is very tart. The plums are used chiefly for cooking.

Japanese plums are soft and juicy, with flesh that ranges from tart to sweet. These large, round plums are best eaten fresh, and not for drying.

European plums have a more compact growth habit and can be grown in an open vase form (the middle of the tree has no central leader), in an informal fan-trained shape, or in pyramidal shapes. European plums are self-fruitful, but even these will set a better crop if there is another variety planted nearby. Most Japanese plums are not self-fertile and will require a cross-pollinator.

Citrus
Oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, and grapefruit are all citrus. Citrus trees can grow from seed, but most are taken from root stock. They need to be watered well when they are young. After they are established, they only need watered in drought. Many homeowners over water their citrus trees and this will produce dry fruit and promote root rot and disease.

The most known places for growing citrus fruit are Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas. Brazil is the second highest producer of citrus fruit; the U.S. is the first.

Citrus plants are not tropical, but are more inclined to grow in Mediterranean weather. They need some cool nights to make the fruit sweet. Tropical plants need more water than citrus plants.

For ideal pollination, plant two or more varieties.

Pear - Bartlett

Yellow Bartlett Pears are the nations leading pear variety. They tend to bear fruit for up to 75 years.

Bartlett Pear trees are self-pollinating, but a pollinator tree will help produce better fruit. Pear trees are not asexual and so require bees to help pollinate. Bartlett Pears do not ripen properly on the tree. Growers pick the fruit when it is green.

Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots

Peaches, nectarines and apricots bear fruit on wood that is one year old or older.

Peaches and nectarines and apricots always have to be picked ripe. They do not ripe well after they have been picked.

Peaches, nectarines, and apricots taste best fresh off the tree. Often jam or marmalade is made out of them because they can't be stored fresh. They are very sensitive to bruising and spoil easily.

They should be planted in the winter.

Stones or pits can be planted, but most people choose rootstock from the nursery.

For pollination, plant two or three varieties.

Landscape and home improvement author Kristy Snow writes many unique landscape articles. For further ideas, please visit outdoor showers and her newest web site about keeping roaches out of the home cockroach killer