Fruit Trees for New England
Fruit trees are a fun and beautiful addition to any yard. They will thrive in cold climates if cared for properly. The further north you go, the more care you will need to lavish on your trees, but the resulting fruit is tastier than anything you will find in a store.
Some fruit trees are better suited to New England. Apples, pears, cherries and peaches can do well with the proper conditions and care. Dwarf varieties save space and work well for the home gardener. Plant your trees in the spring, once the ground has thawed, and expect to wait a year or two before you start to see fruit.
When choosing trees for the New England climate you want to select your trees carefully. Among apples the best varieties include the Pippin, the Canada Red, Fall Russets and McIntosh. All are hardy apples that do well even in colder climates. Heirloom varieties that are not grown commercially are likely to do better in small home plantings, check to see what you can get from gardening catalogs or local sources.
When in New England you will find Bartlett and Bosc pears makes for good choices. Seckel pears are smaller than other varieties but produce a fruit that is almost spicy in flavor and does well in the cooler northern climates. Local heirloom varieties are time tested to grow in your area and do well.
Peach trees are less resistant to the cold. Since buds set in the fall and then have to make it through the winter to produce fruit in the spring, make sure to pick the hardiest varieties. Fingerlakes and Reliance are hardy even in the cold New England climate and produce good amounts of fruit. Cut the branches early so they don’t have time to set. And stop by your local landscaping supply store to chat with their experts about chioces.
In order to get fruit from your trees you will need to make sure that you either get self pollinating trees or that you get trees that can pollinate each other. In some areas the trees bloom before the bees are out and you can help your trees along by using a paint brush to pollinate the flowers, go from flower to flower and transfer the pollen yourself.
Once the fruit sets you will need to cull. You may find some types must be reduced as much as ninety percent. You can contact your county extension office to find out how much to cull from which trees. Removing young fruit from the tree will help produce a better crop latter in the season. Just remind yourself that you would rather have some well developed fruit than a lot of small, poorly developed fruit.
Unfortunately most fruit trees are subject to pests and diseases. Apply sprays and adding netting to your fruit trees are required chores if you want the most from your fruit trees. Sprays can be acquired at you local landscape supply store or home improvement store. Spraying schedules vary from place to place, so it is best to consult with your gardening store or county extension office for specifics. Products are available for the organic gardener as well as the conventional gardener, but all of them have some dangers, make sure you take precautions when you spray.
Fruit trees are beautiful as well as functional. Spring brings loads of delicate blossoms in shades of pink and white. There are few trees as grand in foliage as fruit trees. Well worth the effort, fruit trees are a wonderful addition to any yard.
