|
|
Post by Jim on Jan 4, 2008 11:08:02 GMT -5
I understand that the yields on dwarf trees is less than full sized trees , but my question is.....is the yield high enough to warrant growing? I'm looking at planting a few dwarf fruit trees in the spring maybe.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Jan 4, 2008 11:22:25 GMT -5
For use by a family? Most definitely. And Dwarf Trees come with other benefits. They don't overwhelm your yard, and You don't need a very tall ladder to prune or pick fruit,
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Jan 4, 2008 12:28:15 GMT -5
Yes family usage. I was kind of thinking the same thing with the benefits. I am just thinking 2-4 years out and not wanting my kids to eat pesticide laden junk....
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Jan 4, 2008 12:37:38 GMT -5
Jim, I have heritage standards here on the farm and I gotta tell you, I miss the little trees that I had in the city. A lot less work. And if you buy two or three year old stock, you'll have fruit in a year or two if I remember correctly? Must look that up...Back later...
|
|
|
|
Post by canadamike on Jan 25, 2008 18:15:17 GMT -5
dWARFS ARE GREAT, SO ARE SEMI-DWARFS. I have grown about 100 fruit trees in my life, and will start one, maybe 2 orchards in the spring, a friend asked for help. I strongly recommend that you go for some newer disease resistant varieties and stay away from most that is available in grocery stores. There are exciting naturally small fruit trees around, like chums ( crosses of cherries and plums), many great varieties of cherries and other weird stuff that is great. Here are a couple of links, 2 are canadian but very instructive... www.dnagardens.com/Index.htmwww.burntridgenursery.com/default.aspwww.siloamorchards.com/Feel free to PM me if you want to exchange a bit more... |
|
|
|
Post by Alan on Feb 4, 2008 23:43:19 GMT -5
You might also ask Plantsnoobin, I believe she has some dwarf apple trees and has had them for several years, I know she definetly has experience with them anyhow and a lot of knowledge on them.
|
|
|
|
Post by johno on Feb 9, 2008 3:26:34 GMT -5
The yeild is absolutely worth growing them.
My dad has grown mostly semi-dwarf but some dwarf fruit trees since I was a kid, and we've had some really amazing harvests. The most outstanding tree has to have been the Montmorency pie cherry, R.I.P. Arkansas Black apples are great keepers and have a multitude of uses (fresh eating is one of them, but a marginal one to me...) There's another apple that has always been dependable, but the name escapes me right now... Pears do very well also and have excellent ice and frost resistance compared to all trees. When a freak freeze rolls through, you may notice they are just about the only ones to survive relatively unscathed.
I'm on a roll and getting off-topic, but yes, Ive seen dwarfs and semi dwarfs yield enough for a large family and then some. Keep in mind that pruning fruits in high-yield years makes it less likely that they'll skip or reduce fruiting the next.
|
|
|
|
Post by peppereater on Mar 6, 2008 11:11:09 GMT -5
My understanding is that dwarf trees produce more than standards for the space they take up, and as stated above, produce as early as the second year. I'm planting my first dwarfs this year. Glad to hear that about the Montmorency, johno, that's one I just planted. It's self fertile, which is a plus.
|
|
