Fruit Tree Recommendations

Planning Your Orchard

• Decide what kind of fruit you would like to grow. Peaches, apples, apricots, plums, pears and cherries are options in most parts of the country. Think about how much fruit you would like to have. It is wise not to plant too many trees so the fruit goes to waste. Determine how much room you will need. Trees should not be crowded for best production. Leave room between trees for pruning and maintenance.

Choosing Trees

• Because there are so many variables for growing fruit trees in every area in the country, getting to know the fruit tree specialist at your local cooperative extension service is important. He will be able to guide you to the best varieties for your climate zone. He will tell you if you need more than one variety for cross-pollination, or varieties that bloom later because of the potential for late frosts.

  Tree selection is also based on the number of chilling hours required for the tree to set fruit. This varies among fruit types. The extension service will be able to tell you the typical hours of chilling each species of fruit tree will need in your climate. Chilling requirements are based on the overall winter accumulation of hours between temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees F. Between 600 and 1,000 chilling hours are needed for high-chill fruits such as cherries, and under 600 hours are sufficient for low-chill fruits including some varieties of apples and peaches.

Site Considerations

• When deciding a spot for your fruit trees, do not select a low spot in your yard, as cold air pools there, raising the risk of damaging spring frosts. Fruit trees need full sun, so don't plant them in the shadow of other trees or your house.

Soil Considerations

• Fruit trees need soil that drains well. If you are not sure, dig a test hole 8 inches wide and 32 inches deep. Pour in 5 gallons of water. Let the water drain and add 5 more gallons. If the hole has drained in 24 hours, you have well-drained soil. If it takes 48 hours, your soil is not optimal, but acceptable. If after 48 hours, however, there is standing water, do not plant there.

Maintenance

• Growing fruit trees requires diligence in order for the tree to produce well. You will need to stay on top of insect pests and diseases before they get out of hand. Birds will be one of your biggest adversaries, so consider covering your trees with netting to protect ripening fruit.