Fruit Trees for the Acreage

As spring is arriving, many people are celebrating by planting fruit trees in their yards or acreages. Apple trees, sour cherry trees, plums, raspberries and many others are planted through out acreages across the nation. Other fruit trees are not so fortunate and have some problems in surviving.

Apples are the most common of the fruit tree species grown. When buying apple trees, remember that these trees do require pollinators. In other words, it is very diffi cult to have one apple tree that will produce an abundance of apples. The various varieties of apples require other varieties to pollinate them, so when buying an apple tree buy at least two trees that will pollinate each other. Information on these pollinators may be available at a nursery where you are purchasing the tree.

Sour cherry trees also may do well. Most varieties of sour cherry trees are self-pollinating so there is no concern about having the trees together. If they are to be planted, we suggest that they be planted in a very protected location.

Peaches are one of the fruit crops that do have a diffi cult time growing and producing in some areas. Peaches are very susceptible to disease and insect problems. In most cases, growers fi nd that a peach tree will get six to seven years old, may produce a crop, and then all of a sudden die. Diseases on peach trees include peach leaf curl and gummosis while insect problems include peach borers. Each is self-fruiting so no pollinator is needed.

There are occasional questions regarding the growing of apricots. Apricot trees are very hardy and will grow well. Their biggest problem is that they generally will fl ower about two weeks before the last frost. This, of course, makes it diffi cult to produce any fruit.

Plums can also be grown throughout some areas. Some varieties are selffruiting while others are not. "Stanley" and "Green Gage for example are self-pollinating while "Superior", "Toka" and "South Dakota" do require other pollinator trees.

Take some time out and plant a tree to start up spring!