| Have you ever gone to the store for produce, | | | | like your fruit to harvest? To determine the kind |
| only to find it bruised or half-rotten? Would you | | | | of fruit tree you can grow, you must first know |
| like to save some money and time, while helping | | | | what type of soil you have. This is necessary, |
| the environment? If you answered yes to either | | | | because the tree must match your soil type. At |
| of these questions, fruit trees are the answer. | | | | the same time, you must consider the climate of |
| The following article will tell you how to choose | | | | the area. Here is an example of why this is |
| the size, fruit, and conformation of a fruit tree. | | | | important. A peach tree needs sandy soil and will |
| In order to choose the type of fruit tree you can | | | | get blight from too much rain. Once you |
| grow, consider the space limitations of your yard | | | | determine what kind of fruit tree you're going to |
| or garden. There are three types of tree sizes. A | | | | plant, you must pick the tree out from a local |
| dwarf tree is good for areas 5 feet to 8 feet in | | | | nursery, but to do that, you need to know the |
| diameter. The tree grows small, but the fruit is | | | | conformation of a healthy tree. |
| normally sized. While the yield of the tree is | | | | There are six characteristics of a healthy fruit |
| smaller, the size of the tree makes pruning and | | | | tree. The tree should have strong, straight stems. |
| harvesting easier. Dwarf trees begin bearing fruit | | | | If a young tree has a slight lean when it is |
| within three to five years. A semi-dwarf tree | | | | planted, it will grow into a large tree with a heavy |
| requires at least 15' in diameter to grow. | | | | lean. Trees with a lean are more susceptible to |
| Semi-dwarf trees range in height from 10' to 16' | | | | blowing down and falling over. Next, there should |
| feet tall. These trees can produce hundreds of | | | | also be a defined "leader branch". A leader branch |
| fruit in a season, which is why, today, the | | | | is a central branch that grows thicker and taller |
| majority of fruit grown comes from semi-dwarfs. | | | | than the rest. If the tree has no leader branch, it |
| This type of tree needs pruned once a year to | | | | may require pruning more often. Surrounding the |
| keep it a manageable size. | | | | leader branch should be well-balanced branches |
| The last type of tree is a standard sized tree. | | | | that extend in all directions. These branches should |
| Standard sized trees grow anywhere from 25' to | | | | look fairly even, as a tree bares more fruit when |
| 30' feet. If left unpruned, they will grow even | | | | balanced. Subsequently, there should be no low |
| taller. These trees are meant for people | | | | branches because they will attract animals like |
| interested in fruit trees for a long period of time | | | | raccoons. A tree should have several feet of |
| as they take many years to reach their full | | | | stem to make harvesting easier and discourage |
| growth potential. Like dwarf trees, standard trees | | | | pests. The last and most important trait a tree |
| take three to five years to begin bearing fruit. If | | | | should have is plentiful, undamaged roots. They will |
| you have a specific fruit in mind, you might not | | | | receive more protection this way. |
| be able to choose the size of the tree you plant. | | | | Keep the three main points in mind when looking |
| There is a large assortment of fruit trees | | | | for a fruit tree. Predetermine what size of tree |
| available for planting, but to pick the perfect fruit | | | | you want. Find a local variety of fruit that can be |
| for your garden or yard, you must take several | | | | nurtured in your local climate. Lastly, learn the |
| factors into account. Is your soil damp or dry? | | | | characteristics of a healthy tree. If you do these |
| Does your area get heavy rainfall or little rain? | | | | things, you will be able to successfully buy, plant, |
| Would you like a self-pollinating tree? When you | | | | and grow a fruit tree. |