Ideas on shade (fruit) trees | Trees and Shrubs

Home
Community
Forums
Trees and Shrubs
Ideas on shade (fruit) trees

Post New Topic Reply to Topic

Ideas on shade (fruit) trees

Most Active Topic:

Change a letter game. (16194 posts)
Word Association 2 (12499 posts)
What Flower is this? (37 posts)

Most Recent Topic:

Member	Message
Slumlord Joined: 8/04/2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 59	Posted: Sep/22/2008 11:14 AM PST Hello, I'm looking into shade trees for my zone 8 backyard. This tree would receive plenty of sunshine throughout the day during the summer. Ideally, I'd like to have a fruit bearing tree (peach? apricot?) but I believe these trees do best with other trees of their same ilk around to propagate them. Does that sound correct? Also, I like other shade trees such as weeping willow's but I'm not looking for a major mess once the fall hits. Any ideas on tree's that fall within the category I've described above would be really great. Thanks! Quote \| Reply \| Report

Rashell Joined: 9/17/2007 Location: Acton, Ca Posts: 4219	Posted: Sep/22/2008 1:44 PM PST Maybe you can find a grafted fruit tree of your choice? Then you don't have to buy more than one tree. Quote \| Reply \| Report

Slumlord Joined: 8/04/2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 59	Posted: Sep/22/2008 2:35 PM PST Smart thinking! Quote \| Reply \| Report

Aurora Joined: 4/24/2008 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 1954	Posted: Sep/23/2008 4:31 AM PST Many fruit trees don't need a cross-pollinator. The tag will say whether it needs one or not. Also- fruit trees can make a mess when the ripe fruit falls from them! Believe me Look into a flowering pear or Cherry- They have beautiful spring flowers and wonderful foliage, without the mess of half-rotted fruit all over the ground Quote \| Reply \| Report

Slumlord Joined: 8/04/2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 59	Posted: Sep/23/2008 1:37 PM PST Aurora - Great suggestions, thanks! The flowering pear is a great looking tree and I like how it doesn't get too massive (25-30’ feet), which I like. That's one I'll certainly put on my short list. Quote \| Reply \| Report

ga_girl Joined: 8/02/2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 1152	Posted: Sep/23/2008 1:54 PM PST If by flowering pear you mean Pyrus calleryana, then forget it. That tree has a bad reputation for weak limbs and some people find the smell of the blossoms unpleasant. Perhaps not in Oregon, but they are becoming invasive in the eastern part of the US, as many of them have lost their sterile quality due to introductions of different cultivars. Prunus mume is flowering apricot, a beautiful and well respected tree. Of course, figs are a reliably fruiting tree with large, lush foliage. Sweet cherries ought to grow well for you in the PNW. I used to have a peach, but frankly it was hard to keep up with the squirrels. One of my favorite small trees that the birds adore is Serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.). Pretty spring flowers, pretty little fruit that they gobble up as fast as it ripens. Nice color in the fall as well. Quote \| Reply \| Report

Slumlord Joined: 8/04/2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 59	Posted: Sep/23/2008 3:21 PM PST Thanks GA Girl. Good info there. You know, I was just introduced to the Serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.) a few weeks ago and was very impressed. Like you said, it's a small tree but it really looks great. I'll certainly consider your suggestions as well. Thanks! Quote \| Reply \| Report

Read Next Discussion

You must be a registered member to participate in the forums. Login or register below.