Homestead: Fruit and Nut trees Part 2

 We want several varieties of peach and pear, both for pollination and taste. Then there are other ore unusual fruit that we just want to try, like Medlar. This list will have to be flexible as there is just too much selection and depending on our eventual land purchase we may have room for more trees of less trees according to space.

FROST Peach

Frost peach is a delicious yellow freestone that tastes like an Elberta. Slight red blush over greenish-yellow to yellow skin. Frost is heavy bearing, excellent for canning or eating fresh. Showy blossoms. Highly resistant to peach leaf curl.

Semi-dwarf on Citation rootstock.

• Zones: 7-9
• Chill hours: 700
• Harvest: July 10 - July 25
• Looks: Skin is a light red blush over yellow, freestone flesh.
• Personality: Delicious, excellent for eating fresh or canning.
• Facts of note: Favorite in colder regions. Showy pink spring blooms on a heavy bearing tree. Naturally resistant to peach leaf curl.
• Pollination: Self-fruitful.
  

Extremely vigorous trees requiring regular pruning and thinning. Needs fertile, well drained soils. Tends to bloom early and may be difficult to crop in late frost areas. Plant several varieties for continued supply, as ripe fruit does not store well.

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Pineapple Quince

Pineapple Quince is a tender pale yellow fruit with white flesh and slight pineapple flavor. Used for jelly preserves, and as an addition to applesauce. Pineapple quince makes a lovely landscaping tree, with rose-pink blooms and twisted branches for winter interest. Developed by Luther Burbank.

Growing Considerations for Pineapple Quince

USDA Zone: 5,6,7,8,9,10

Pollinate with one of the following: Self-Fertile

Mature Size: 12-15 ft. summer prune to maintain 8 ft. tree

Recommended Spacing: 12-15 ft. summer pruned 8 ft. spacing

Ripens: October

Rootstock: Quince

Water Requirement: 8-15 gallons per week May through Sept.

Years to bear: 1-3 years

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Royal Medlar

Royal medlar trees are a classic European garden favorite. They are revered for their ornamental value and for their delicious, unique fruit. Royal Medlar fruit is about 1-2 inches in diameter, soft brown in color and born from large, beautiful white flowers. It has a texture and flavor reminiscent of cinnamon-applesauce and can be eaten fresh, cooked, roasted or in pies and jelly. Medlar Fruit is hard at harvest time and must be allowed to ripen for a few weeks in a cool, light place where it becomes soft and juicy. This process is called bletting.

Growing Considerations for Royal Medlar trees

USDA Zone: 5,6,7,8,9,10

Pollination: Self-Fertile variety

Fruit Storage: Fair

Mature Size: 8-14 ft.

Recommended Spacing: 8-14 ft.

Ripens: Late

Uses: Fresh eating, dessert, jams, drying

Rootstock: own

Water Requirement: 8-15 gallons per week May through Sept.

Years to bear: 1-3 years

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MOORPARK England 1760 [Apricot]

In 1542, during the time of Henry 8th, his gardener brought apricots to England from Italy, and the biggest growing breakthrough was achieved by Lord Anson at Moor Park in Hertfordshire, producing the European favorite variety called the Moorpark apricot. Moorpark is a long time favorite of connoisseurs for its exceptionally rich flavor and aroma. Reliable producer in favorable climates. Ripens over a long period of time, spreading the season. Small tree grows 8' to 10' ft.

Growing Considerations for Moorpark Apricot

USDA Zone: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Pollination: Self-Fertile
Mature Size: 12-15 ft. summer prune to maintain 8 ft. tree
Recommended Spacing: 12-15 ft. summer pruned 8 ft.spacing
Ripens: late
Rootstock: Marianna
Water Requirement: 8-15 gallons per week May through Sept.
Years to bear: 1-3 years
 

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FORELLE Germany 1600's [Pear]

The Forelle pear is thought to originate in northern Saxony. Introduced to the states by immigrants in the 1800's. A singularly handsome and distinctive fruit, yellow with a crimson blush and trout-like speckling (lenticles) from which comes the name Forelle, the German name for trout (keeps better than trout!). The fruit is buttery without all the juice. And it has a faint but discernible cinnamon spiciness. The Forelle pears flesh is melting, aromatic and rich flavor. The tree is very productive, but not cold hardy.

Growing Considerations for Forelle pear tree

Bloom: Early
USDA Zone: 5,6,7,8,9
Pollination: Pollinate with B.P. Moretini, Bartlett,Pineapple
Fruit Storage: Excellent
Mature Size: 12-15 ft. summer prune to maintain 8 ft. tree
Recommended Spacing: 12-15 ft. summer pruned 8 ft.spacing
Ripens: Late
Uses: Fresh eating,dessert,baking
Rootstock: Semi-dwarf OHxF 333
Water Requirement: 8-15 gallons per week May through Sept.

Years to bear: 2-4 years

 

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There is such a wonderful bounty to be had from your own fruit trees...food, beautiful flowers and shade and shelter for waterfowl and chickens. A super place for your beehives and somewhere to sit on summer evenings to get relaxed and rested for the next day's exertions.

 

We are enjoying the research into the orchard and the trees we will need. The land purchase gets closer every day. Take care God Bless you all.