Newsletter Articles
Selecting Dormant Fruit Trees
By Richard Flowers, ACCNP-Green Thumb Nursery-Ventura
It is that time of year again when dormant fruit trees are ready to be planted. Fruits such as apple, persimmon, peach, apricot, plum, and other fruit trees that lose all their leaves during the wintertime are prime examples. During this time you have the greatest selection to choose from. If you are looking for those old-fashioned favorites that your grandparents savored or something close to it, then is the time time to acquire them.
But, however it is not that simple, certain criteria need to be taken into consideration before you actually buy these trees. Some varieties need lots of winter chilling, while others need a lot of heat, and still others need another mate to pollinate so it could produce fruit. I want to share with you specific criteria to take into account so you can have a beautiful fruit tree, that will thrive, and produce delicious fruit.
Drainage:
The first and foremost important criteria to take into examination is how well does your soil drain. Peaches, plums, cherries, apricots , and so forth must have excellent soil drainage. The trees can not sit in water or grow in a mucky soil, this is a for sure death. It is recommended to perform a percolation test by simply digging a hole 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide. Fill the hole up with water. Let it drain. Fill it up again. You are determining how long it takes water to be completely drained from the hole. Ideally, the hole on the second filling should be completely drained of water in 3 – 4 hours. If the soil does not do this, then you have several options to choose from, do not plant in that location, construct a raised bed, plant on a mound system, or choose a specialized root stock that preforms satisfactory in that drainage condition.
Rootstock:
The lower portion of the a fruit tree is called the rootstock. This is the portion of the tree that has been grafted over to a specific variety. Different rootstocks provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the thrill of growing your own fruit. It is handy to investigate the type of rootstock you have a need for depending on conditions of the site. Certain rootstocks have a multitude of advantages such as disease resistance, vigor, fruit quality, soil conditions, and adaptability.
Pollination:
Another consideration to be aware of is pollination. Many times people complain that their plum tree never produces a single fruit, this could be from the fact that the tree needs a buddy so it could make fruit. It is wise to ask a nursery professional what do I need to remedy this situation? We will gladly supply you with the correct fruit tree provided you tell us the particular variety in question. If you already have the fruit tree, simply look at the tag that came with the fruit tree, it will indicate the variety of fruit you have. Another note regarding pollination, it is wise to have a diversified mix of peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, and so forth so more pollination can occur within the trees. In order for two varieties to pollinize each other, there must be substantial overlap of their blooming time. Although it is not recommended that a variety listed as “early” be counted on to pollinize a variety listed as “late. Late or early refers to the time of season when the trees produce flowers. Fruit trees that are self fruitful are trees that accept their own pollen, they will fruit but they will produce a larger crop with a pollinator, most will also provide pollen for other trees.
Chill Factor:
Chill Factor is important. This is the period of cold needed by apples and other deciduous fruits to break their winter rest. Chilling refers to the amount of cold at a temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit between November and end of February.
This measurement is often counted in the number of hours between that time period. Some locations receive fewer winter chilling than other areas. Other areas attain much more cold. The fruit tree varieties are usually labeled by the chilling requirements. Something to keep in mind, some fruit trees are widely adaptable to a range of temperatures and can produce fruit.
Heat Factor:
Many dormant fruit trees require long hot summers, while others can tolerate cooler coastal conditions. It is important to choose the correct fruit tree according to how much heat you get.
Space consideration:
If space is of concern, consider planting multiple graft fruit trees. Multiple graft fruit trees have several varieties of apples or plums, some even have plums, apricots, and peaches on one plant. Many of these are custom tailored to satisfy your particular chill requirements. Some combinations are specialized for consecutive harvest (where you can harvest the fruit for an extended period of time). Many are designed of cross pollination. Additionally you can plant multiple trees in one hole if you have space constraints. Don’t forget you could always prune the fruit trees to keep them smaller to allow space. Training certain fruit trees on a trellis is also a novel idea to maximize space.
Harvesting:
You may want to look at when you want to harvest the fruit. Some fruits come in earlier while others come in later. Do you want a peach for baking, canning or fresh eating?
Selecting:
Finally, when deciding to select a fruit tree, there are a few other things to look at. Make sure the tree has healthy tissue and has a well developed root system. The roots should be well branched. Bear in mind, some fruit trees naturally have a shy root system, this is nothing to be alarmed about. The branches should be plump and strong and not withered. When you finally decide to buy your particular dormant fruit tree, it is wise to plant it right away because you do not want to have the roots dry out. If you are unable to plant it right away, it is best to acquire a container, put the tree inside it, and include potting soil then water it once initially and not again until it leafs out. And last but not least, be sure it is a fruit that you like to eat. I encourage you to stop by your favorite Green Thumb and our helpful nursery staff will lead you the right way.
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