Fruit Tree Choices for 2009.

Posted on 2008-Dec-28 at 06:44

Fruit Tree Choices for 2009.

I generally add a few trees in my orchard every year. Last year I added a Winesap Apple and a Medley plum tree. This year I have decided to add some more dependable cultivars (varieties) and a couple that will be iffy in this area, zone 5/6 with Kansas winds.  Your selection should always be more deliberate rather than on impulse. A good local nursery or your cooperative Extension Service would be able to guide you on the process of deciding what cultivars would work the best for you. 

1)Potomac, European Pear-

The cultivar was released in 1993 by the USDA. It is a cross between Moonglow x Anjou, It is one of the highest quality fireblight resistance cultivars available. Great fresh market pear. Self-pollinating.  Zones 5-8

2) Bing, Cherry-

It is one of the finest commercial cherries available. The cherries are good for cooking as well as eating out of hand. They do require cross-pollination and I am hoping my Tartarian cherry will work well. Zone 5-9

3) Aprium, Flavor Delight-

This hybrid fruit that is ¾ apricot and ¼ plum is good eaten off the tree or made into dishes. Flavor Delight is a safer choice for my climate than the others. Zone 5-9

 4) Apricot, Chinese-

This is an early bearing, heavy producing cultivar that is good for difficult climates prone to late spring frosts. Mild flavor. Zone 4-7

5) Apple, Spitzenberg-

It is said this was Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple. It is not widely used for commercial purpose because it ripens unevenly so you have to harvest it over a two week period. It produces a yellow-orange fine texture apple and is considered a dessert apple. It ripens from September –October. Requires a pollinator. Zones 4-8.

6) Apple, Belle de Boskoop-

This apple originates from the Netherlands. It is a large, lumpy red apple that is usable for dessert and cutlery uses. It  keeps its shape when cooked so it is good for pies and cobblers and is considered a very good applesauce variety. It is not considered suitable for snacking because of its large size but can be served in slices. It has a tendency towards russeting so it would not always make a good apple for selling at market except for value added products such as apple sauce, apple butter, etc. Pollinator required. Zones 4-8.

 7) Peach, Indian Free-

This is a midseason that comes in later than Redhaven so I am hoping for a longer peach season. It is very resistance to leaf curl, is free stone, has red flesh and is a good keeper. Needs a pollinator, any variety.

 8) Almond,  All-In-One-

This self-fruiting almond has heavy crops and produces soft-shell nuts with sweet flavorful kernels. It is also hardy with winter frosts. It  needs a hot summer to produce.Zones 5-9.

9) Plum, Late Santa Rosa-

This was not what I had planned and had ordered the Imperial Prune. I really wanted a prune plum so when I had to do a substitute I went with the Santa Rosa, I already have a Methley plum that should start prodcing this summer but this is a larger plum. This common plum is found in Supermarkets because it is juicy, flavorful and tangy. Self-pollinating.Zones 5-8.

Yay, fruit trees!

Posted by dasparky on 2008-Dec-29 at 01:11 - Link

I'm also planning out our first orchard installation. Of course, living in Texas means renting a jackhammer to open up holes in the ground (okay, exaggerating - but only a little!)