QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY A FRUIT TREE!

By URSULA COOPER & BARBARA BRANNON FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS fbmg.org

1. Will you enjoy your harvest? Pick a fruit tree you, your family and friends will love to eat. The time spent on tree maintenance may not be worth the end product if it will not be eaten

2. Pick a tree in the correct USDA growing zone. The Houston/Coastal Bend area is anywhere from zone 7-10. Chill hours also are very important to set fruit during winter dormancy.

3. Selecting a planting location in your landscape is very important. Most fruit trees require full sun and good air circulation to prevent disease and leaf rot. Distressed trees will submit to all kinds of insects.

4. How will your fruit tree pollinate? Most fruit trees are self-fertile (self-pollinate). Others require two or more fruit trees of different variety classes to pollinate and set fruit.

5. All fruit trees will require maintenance: Watering, feeding, mulching, pruning and insect control and prevention. Climate is always a factor. Watering and mulching in the heat of summer and frost protection in the winter.

FRUIT TREE OPTIONS

Citrus-Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Kumquats (evergreen) etc Many varieties will grow well in our zone area, but will require frost protection. Great fall and early winter harvest color. Beautiful flowers. Wonderful for patio planting in pots

Figs-Little Ruby, Brown Turkey, etc Fun and fairly easy to grow, zone 8-10. Full sun and good air circulation. Warm weather fruit. Ripen on the tree. Can be grown from cuttings.

Stone Fruit-Peaches, Plums, Pears etc Peach varieties fruit anywhere from May, mid-summer, August or early fall. Full sun and good air circulation. Beautiful flowers.

Berries-Blackberry, Blueberry, etc Wonderful harvest when well-established. Some varieties are not self-pollinating. May need two trees/bushes to set fruit, Will need to be trellised. Texas A&M Superstar Fruit Trees-detail list on our website; fbmg.org