Fruit Trees

It is that time of year when gardeners think of establishing their own fruit orchards. Those who may already have a single fruit tree or perhaps several trees are concerning themselves with the various things which will determine the success or failure of their fruit crops. In today’s article, we will consider some of these. 

Be sure to choose fruit tree varieties that are adapted to your growing area. Beware of buying plants from catalogs based in the northern and western areas of the country. Their varieties may not thrive here in middle Georgia. 

Space plants according to their expected size at maturity. Give them plenty of room. Plan spacing so that trees can be easily maintained (mowed, sprayed, etc.)

Consider planting at least three varieties of most fruits especially if cross-pollination is a factor. If one tree is lost, then two trees are left to complete the job. You may want to plant enough different varieties so that fruit will ripen at separate times, providing a harvest over a number of weeks instead of all at once.

Thin the fruit soon after spring bloom. Most often, small fruit is due to an over abundance of fruit on the tree. The tree has only so much energy to devote to fruit production, so thinning is necessary to produce nice-sized fruit, such as with apples, pears, and peaches. A general rule is to leave one fruit along every eight inches of branch and remove the rest. 

Follow a fungicide/insecticide spray program for those fruits that require it, or you will be disappointed in the quality of your fruit. This is absolutely critical for peaches, plums, apples, and pears. 

Irrigate trees during times of low rainfall for best results. Some plants, such as figs and blueberries, have shallow root systems and require frequent watering. Drip irrigation is inexpensive and easily installed.

One of the most frustrating things for a home gardener is to faithfully care for a tree year after year and never have it produce any fruit. Although there are no fool-proof explanations, several of the most common reasons for the “fail to bear” phenomenon are offered below.

If your fruit tree fails to bloom perhaps:

• The tree is too young. Most trees bear by the third year.
• Chilling requirements have not been met. Choose a variety adapted to the climate of your area.
• You have a sickly tree. This could be due to stress from lack of water, fertilization, or insect and disease pressure.

Remember, if a fruit tree produces viable blooms, it is capable of bearing fruit as long as pollination requirements are met.

 If your tree blooms, but does not bear fruit:

• Low temperatures (below 32 degrees) may have occurred during bloom and damaged flower buds or immature fruit. Fruit damaged by cold will begin falling off three weeks after the freeze.
• Pollination was unsuccessful. Some varieties need a second variety to pollinate them. Some varieties are not compatible with each other. Be sure to plant correct varieties for proper cross-pollination to occur.
• Insect damage to young fruit in early spring may cause fruit to drop prematurely. Follow proper spray program.
• Over-fertilization may cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production. Fertilize properly.
• Stress on the tree caused by too much water, drought, excessive shade, and mechanical injury (as caused by lawnmowers or weed-eaters) are a few things to avoid.

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor, and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Hwy 26 two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478)954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net.