Is Fruit Tree a Good Investment?

Is Fruit Tree a Good Investment?

Is Fruit Tree a Good Investment? - Learn about whether you should plant fruit trees, when not to plant them, the best way to plant them, when is the right time to plant fruit trees, and more!

In the past, large areas of land were needed to grow fruit trees. However, dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees now make it possible for them to grow in almost any yard. Most standard-sized adult fruit trees have a height and width of between 18-25 feet. This not only requires most of the space in your yard, but also makes it difficult to prune and spray without using a ladder.

Although using smaller trees, planting fruit trees is a long-term investment. Fruit trees can take anywhere from 2 to 10 years to bear fruit. If you plan to harvest for years to come, it is best to plan ahead.

Choosing Size - The terms dwarf and semi-dwarf may be confusing. Dwarf fruit trees usually reach a height and width of about 8-10 feet. At this height, they can be maintained and harvested without a ladder. Pruning makes them smaller, but unfortunately, dwarf fruit trees tend to have a short lifespan.

Semi-dwarf fruit trees are slightly larger, with most reaching heights of 12-16 feet and varying widths. Maintenance and harvesting require a ladder, but the average yield produced is 8 - 12 bushels, about twice that of the expected yield from dwarf trees and they live much longer.

There is not much difference in space between the two types of trees, and both will start producing fruit within 5 years. With a little more work, the harvest yield is much greater on semi-dwarf trees. Dwarf trees will produce fruit within reach of your hand.

If you feel that your space is limited for planting fruit trees with a height of 8-10 feet, don't worry. Fruit trees can also be grown in containers. Although the yield is not as heavy as planting in the ground, the fruit produced is still delicious.

Most fruit trees require pollination from two or more trees planted nearby to produce better fruit. However, do not place your house or barn between the two trees. Planting can be done anywhere in the garden.

Although the tree species should be the same, the varieties should be different. For example, you can plant two different types of apples, and they will cross-pollinate each other while blooming at the same time. Generally, fruit tree catalogs and plant labels provide advice on proper pollination. At Watters Garden Center, there are several local diagrams that can help you.

If you only want to plant one tree, your best choice is peach, apricot, nectarine, and sour cherry. These trees can self-fruit or self-pollinate with the help of bees. However, Stella Sweet Cherry is an exception, as it can self-fruit.

The second option is a multi-graft tree, where three or more fruit varieties are grafted onto one stem. These fruit trees are also known as 'Fruit Cocktail Trees.

Some Fruit Trees Require Cold - Fruit trees require a few hours at temperatures below 45 F during the winter. Without this cold period during dormancy, they will produce little fruit in the following spring. At our garden center, we have locally proven varieties available.

Low-Maintenance Fruit Trees - Although all fruit trees require proper care and nutrition, some types of trees can survive with minimal supervision once established. Cherries are at the top of the low maintenance tree list. It only requires pruning when branches are damaged or too long.