Ann asks: Fruit tree advice?
I need help please. I love Clementine oranges and am thinking of planting a tree so i can have them more often. The problem is I am completely lost about gardening/tree growing. I don’t even know if that type of tree could grow well where I live (Alabama). If anybody has any advice for when to plant one, what needs to be done/any tips to help it grow, etc. I would appreciate it.
Also, my husband loves pears and i am thinking of planting a pear tree. Any tips?
Thank you to all who try to help. God bless.
The answer voted best is:
Answer by T C
Now is the time to plant. Just follow the easy instructions that come with the trees
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I’d guess if you live in a hardiness zone 7 climate or warmer you’d be able to grow an orange tree (with protection in the winter for zones 7 and 8), probably should plant one in the spring so it has time to grow. Pear trees grow great in most climates, they can even be found in zone 3 hardiness climates like Fairbanks, Alaska. Just be sure they get alot of sunlight.
Orange trees will grow in areas that get below freezing weather, but they likely won’t produce fruit, which would be destroyed by freezing. Zone 9 is the coldest location where oranges are commercially produced. You might try the dwarf type. They can still get fairly large (to 8′), but could be brought into a greenhouse over winter.
Pears are much easier to grow. I live in central Texas, and consider pears to be consistently productive. If you want fruit specify a fruiting type when buying. There are several types used for flowering shade trees that produce no fruit, or very small fruit. Below are links to sites with more detail.
Just about every county in the United States has a Cooperative Extension Service Office and most of those have a Master Gardener program. Your county Extension Agent and/or Master Gardeners are there to assist you with your questions regarding what will grow well in your area.
They are a very valuable resource that is often underutilized.
Give them a call. If what you want to grow will not thrive in your area ask them for a list of what does well.
A large part of having a successful orchard or garden is putting the right plant in the right place. It sure beats fighting Mother Nature!
God Bless you too and best wishes for happy fruit trees!
It might be a little too cold in Alabama for citrus , unless you are right on the coast . Even then, it might need a protected spot . Ask your local coopereative extension for help .
With pears, you have the opposite problem . They need a certain number of chill hours , that is , time below 45F . There are some low-chill apples , so a few pear varieties might exist . Again try your C.E.. Try One Green World (formerly Northwoods Nursery) http://www.onegreenworld.com/ . They sell a huge variety of fruiting plants, from all over the world . The trees I’ve bought from there were quite large for the $ . Look for fruit tree growers from the Gulf states . You may have to go with some type of Asian pear , as they need fewer chill hours. Good luck.
An orange tree.