In addition to bearing edible fruit, fruits trees are also attractive ornamentals around the garden. Since some fruit trees are difficult to care for, planting them can sometimes turn out to be much more work than was originally intended. By planting trees that are easy to care for, gardeners can get tasty fruit and beautiful ornamental flowers in the spring without as many concerns about fertilizer needs, insect infestation, and other issues.
As a general rule when planting fruit trees, seek out rich, well drained soil in a spot that is warm and protected from the wind. Recognize that these trees expand as they grow older, and make sure to leave plenty of room for them to get big. In a garden with limited space, consider dwarf varieties, which will not grow as large. Dwarf fruit trees are also easier to care for in general, especially when it comes to pruning.
Some work is needed to grow fruit trees successfully, even easy care varieties. The tree will need to be trained into a conical shape with a strong trunk and evenly distributed branches. Trees also require pruning to keep their shape and grow healthy fruit. If you want to get a yield from a fruit tree, you will want to plant several trees for cross pollination. You may also want to plant flowers that attract bees and other insects, since this will promote pollination.
Some easy fruit trees include pears, figs, apples, satsumas, plums, and persimmons. Numerous cultivars of these trees have been bred for different climates. There is also a broad variation in color, size, and shape of fruit and flowers. Your local garden store can provide more detailed information on which trees grow best in your region. Each one has slightly different fertilizer and care requirements, so make sure to research these before bringing a fruit tree home to plant.
In extremely cold locations, many fruit trees do not thrive. Their flowers are sensitive to late frosts, and a storm can knock the flowers from the trees, meaning that they will not fruit. While the trees are young, you may want to consider protecting them in cold weather by wrapping them on nights when a frost is predicted. While older trees can withstand a frost relatively well, a cold snap can kill a young fruit tree, which would be very unfortunate.
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.