Recently I noticed a friend posted how happy she was that her three fruit trees survived the Swedish winter. Her post made me wonder if she had apple trees like me. I asked her what type of trees she was growing. She responded with apple, cherry, and plum. All great choices but then I wondered does she know that the apple tree will likely not produce fruit? Or that the plum and cherry might possibly not produce either? Should I share that with her? I am more of a trial by error gal on this subject and do not think I qualify as an expert. What to do…
Having planted 4 rounds of new fruit trees (peaches, apples, and pears) on different properties over the years I’ve learned a few things. I should stop here and say, “Thanks Dad!” I am certain I would have plopped a single JH Hale dwarf peach tree in the ground and called it done without his advice. The first set of fruit trees I planted (those peaches) needed a cultivator because I bought the one peach variety that required it.
Different trees do better in different areas and there are lots of in and outs with varieties too. My friend in Sweden for example probably bought an apple tree suited for very cold winters. And Apples are not self-fertile meaning that cannot pollinate themselves to produce fruit. 2-3 apple trees are often a good bet for cross-pollination. But that’s not all. The trees need to have approximately the same bloom time to produce fruit too. Meaning if they don’t all have blooming flowers at about the same time the bees can’t pollinate them. No flowers = No apples
And to complicate things further her plum and cherry trees might not produce fruit either. Some of those varieties are self-fertile or partially self-fertile. And some will produce MORE fruit amongst fruit tree friends. Certain varieties of cherry thrive better with a friend. And so on.
Again, I am not an expert simply a hobbyist that has learned and failed on occasion. If you check your state extension website they usually give great advice on fruit trees: varieties that go together, how long until a tree bears fruit, and how/when to plant in general.
Still haven’t said anything to my friend. Maybe she will read this post.
