As their name implies, fruit trees are simply trees that bear fruit. This may include apple, cherry, citrus (i.e., orange and lemon), durian, mango, morello cherry, pear, peach, nectarine and plum. In addition some nut bearing trees, such as walnuts, are also considered to be fruit trees. Virtually all trees of flowering plants will produce fruit which, in this case, is used to define trees that produce fruit that can be used as human food.
In order for fruit trees to remain healthy and continue producing quality fruits, they must be pruned for growth control purposes and also to remove dead or diseased wood. In addition, pruning fruit trees may also stimulate the growth of flowers and/or fruit buds. The best time for pruning, economic wise, is early in the season as the buds begin to break. At this point, the grower can simply pinch off the soft tissue with his/her finger. The problem that many growers face is neglecting to properly care for their fruit trees after planting. Careful attention to pruning will have the greatest impact on fruit trees and their productivity.
Did you know that formative pruning of apple and pear trees should occur during the dormant winter months ranging between November and March and should be done during the tree's early years of life? This will help fruit trees to develop a strong frame that is capable of holding the weight of fruit as it begins to grow in later years. Other fruit trees, such as cherry, plum and gages should not be pruned during the winter.
From the age of five, fruit trees need to be pruned annually. The process of renewal pruning depends greatly on the tendency of most apple and pear trees to produce flower buds. Fruit trees that have strong laterals on the outer part of the tree, which also has room for growth, are best suited for this technique.
The regulatory pruning of fruit trees is performed on the tree as a whole and is done in an effort to keep both the tree and its environment healthy. Regulatory pruning entails keeping the center open so that air can circulate, removing dead or diseased wood and preventing branches from becoming crowded while also preventing the crossing of branches.
Fruit trees are popular among farmers who believe in growing their own food, but also for those who wish to resell fruits for profit. Whether fruit trees are your source of health food or extra cash, taking the time to care for them in such a way that will promote both their productivity and livelihood will be well worth the effort. For those who are truly creative and want to get the most use of their fruit trees, there is nothing better than creating a custom fruit basket to be given as gifts for holidays, birthdays and as your contribution to family gatherings.
Whatever the purpose for your fruit trees, nourish them with everything that they need in order to thrive and, when the time comes, they will produce a product capable of doing the same for you.
Are you looking for a good citrus tree to grow indoors? If so, you have several choices. While many container gardeners are familiar with the Meyer and Ponderosa lemon varieties, another option to consider is the calamondin orange tree. The calamondin is quite easy to care for and offers ample crops of fruit.
Calamondin oranges are quite popular in southeast Asia. For centuries, Asian cultures have used these oranges for a variety of health purposes. Malaysian and Phillipine cultures use calamondin juice as a hair conditioner and as a treatment for insect bites. It is even used as a cough remedy.
If you've never seen a calmondin orange, you might mistake it for a lemon. About the size of a lemon or lime and roughly similar in shape, a calamondin is yellow-orange in color and is usually over ripened by the time it turns completely orange. However, once you taste the fruit you'll know it's an orange. The juice is sweeter than most oranges and can be used as a beverage, marinade, or in recipes.
One of the best attributes of our calamondin plant is its fresh citrusy fragrance. With nominal care, the tree blooms often, more frequently than most indoor fruit trees. Our calamondin typically produces fruit in the winter and spring months in ample quantity.
One important tip with a calamondin involves how to pick the fruit. It's best to use clippers to remove fruit from the tree rather than hand picking. Using clippers or scissors will prevent damage to the stem side of the fruit, thereby eliminating premature deterioration.
Caring for your calamondin tree is quite easy. Give it plenty of sunlight, don't over water, and fertilize once every 4-6 weeks. Typically, your tree will require water once every 10 days, or slightly more frequently in dry environments.
Finally, a calamondin tree will really appreciate time spent outdoors during warmer months. Here in the midwest, our tree spends mid April through mid October on our patio. This really helps the tree flourish, as butterflies and bees find the fragrance hard to resist.
These easy care fragrant trees are a perfect addition to any living space, large or small. Calamondin trees are low cost, easy to maintain, and prolific. Adding one of these trees to your home will give you ample crops of fruit, along with the pride of growing it yourself!
Both Cristi & Jim Hofman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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