Pear Tree Varieties

 The pear fruit tree belongs to the genus Pyrus. Pears have a long history of cultivation. There is evidence that pears may even be prehistoric, and in the rendition of the Odyssey, the author mentions pears and how their excellent fruit was extolled. Does the modern garden not need to also include this notable fruit tree?

There are many species of pears and hybrids that have been produced over the years. Garden articles have been written to suggest a different variety of pear for a different end use. The Romans wrote about pears in books and suggested recipes for cooking them, rather than eating them raw. The Chinese have cultivated pears for over 3000 years. Modern pear usage is quite high, and China is purported to grow the most pear fruit in the world at this time. Garden pear trees that we grow today all developed from many years of work by our ancestors and modern pear tree breeders.

 Among the many varieties of pear trees, there are two main categories, the Asian and the European pear. The European pear varieties are headlined by the Bartlett pear, mainly because of the Bartlett pear’s long history of superior production and taste.

Asian pears, as the title would suggest, attain their sweet crisp taste from their Chinese and Asian heritage.

Asian pears are known by several names, such as Chinese, Japanese, sand pear, and apple pear. The apple pear is so named because of the resemblance of Asian pears to apples, as the Asian pear is rounder than a European pear, and it is crunchier. Asian pears are crisp and juicy, and they have a tang of tartness near the core. European pears are soft, juicy and have a more mellow taste. The Asian pear tree should have a companion Asian pear planted close by to assist with pollination. Many of the European pear trees are self-fruitful and do not need a pollinator, but another European pear, such as the Bartlett, will increase fruit production.

Both the European pear and the Asian pear do best in a soil pH between 5.9 and 6.5. Garden articles will generally mention pear trees as an easy fruit to grow and care for. A recent garden article about Asian pear production mentioned that fruit set may sometimes be too heavy with Asian pears, so fruit thinning is advised when the pears are about the size of a dime. Fruit thinning will help prevent branch breakage and increase fruit size.

 One of the most common pears found in grocery stores is the Bartlett pear. Bartlett is one the varieties of pears that is the most recognizable to all pear fruit lovers. Pears, such as the Bartlett, produce fruit that is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The Bartlett also contains significant amounts of copper and vitamin K.
Articles have extolled the pear as being a very good source of vitamin C and high in dietary fiber. Being rich in vitamin C, pears have been purported in published articles to have antioxidant properties, and are said to protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals. Articles have described the pear as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Pears are an ideal weight loss food since 98% of their energy is from carbohydrates, which contain half the calories as fat.
There is a group of pear trees named ornamental pears. These pears do not produce fruit, or if they do produce a fruit, the fruit is small, hard, bitter, and inedible.

Ornamental pear trees, such as the Chanticleer pear, belong in this fruitless category. Chanticleer pears are grown for their gorgeous white flowers, and many Chanticleer pear trees adorn thousands of yards in the United States. Chanticleer pears produce fruit that is pea sized and is barely noticeable. Ornamental varieties are not categorized with fruit trees even though they are named ornamental pear trees.

Peach Trees – Planting and Pruning for Larger Fruit

 Peach trees are native of China and belong to the Prunus species. The peach trees that are being grown in orchards today have a long history. The name peach has its roots in the European languages. Today orchard grown peaches are divided into two groups, clingstones and freestones. If the peach flesh sticks to the pit, it is a clingstone. Conversely, if the flesh falls away from the pit easily, it is freestone.

Peach fruit has varying levels of acidity, and generally, the white fleshed peach is the least acidic. Yellow fleshed peaches tend to be more tangy and acidic. Peach fruit and nectarine fruit are often thought of as totally unique fruits. In fact, the nectarine is closely related to the peach. The main difference is the lack of fuzz on the nectarine skin. The nectarine can be used in the same way as a peach. The nectarine tends to be a little smaller fruit than a peach, and it displays more red color on the skin. Fertilization or soil types do not affect skin colors of either the peach or the nectarine.

 Raising peach trees in the backyard is not much different than raising them in an orchard setting. Selecting a location for planting is important. There are at least two reasons, soil and sunlight requirements. The peach tree bloom is susceptible to early frosts, so planting a peach tree in the lowest part of the yard would be counter productive. It is best to select a high spot in the yard so the cold air can drain away from the trees when they are in bloom. The peach tree blooms are very susceptible to frost, so a season’s fruit production may be lost because of a few lower degrees of temperature.
Before planting the peach tree, prepare the soil one or two years prior to planting.

Modify the soil with organic matter, and check the nutrient status. The soil pH for peach and nectarine trees should be around 6.5, so it is important to get the soil tested. Then lime and fertility levels should be modified based on the soil test results. Add manure, peat moss, or compost to modify the soil texture. Peach or nectarine trees will not tolerate water logged soils. If water sets in an area for more than one hour after a rain, find another location for the nectarine or peach tree.

 Pruning peach or nectarine trees should begin at an early age. Most fruit trees produce better quality fruit, and live longer and healthier if properly maintained and pruned. Fruit tree pruning does not need to be complicated or confusing. Many times the nursery will do the initial pruning on the dormant fruit tree. If the fruit tree arrives already pruned from the nursery, plant it without further pruning. If the dormant bareroot tree arrives with long branches and over 3 foot tall, prune the tree to knee high and cut the side branches back by at last 2/3 to promote vigorous new growth.

Top pruning induces lateral branch growth in fruit trees , and this produces a more easily accessible tree branch and shapely form. Pruning also diverts the expenditure of nourishment to form woody growth to that of buds and fruit. Fruit trees are fast growing. After the spring flush of growth cut the new growth back by ?. In late summer prune the new growth on the branches back again by ?. The 2nd year pruning of the fruit tree is the same as the first. Cut back new growth by half in the spring and again in late summer. In the 3rd year, choose a height and do not let the tree get any taller.

Tree height is a decision for the pruner. When there are vigorous branches above the chosen height, cut back or remove them. In late spring or early summer, pinch back all new growth. Size development and low fruiting wood is determined in the 3rd year.

Each branch should have at least 6 inches of free space around them. Remove all crossing branches that are too close together. Keeping fruit tree branches open to allow more light and freedom for bee movement is important. Sunlight and bees carrying pollen should increase productivity and create larger fruit. All varieties of fruit trees can be maintained at a predetermined height, if pruned consistently.

cherry tree

The cherry tree is legendary throughout the world for its beautiful display of early spring blossoms and the delightful flavors of its abundant, attractive fruit. In Japan, the cherry tree symbolizes purity and the timeless bliss which gives rise to outdoor celebrations. These celebrations are spring traditions from Asia to Italy to France to New England to Washington. This beautifully delicious little fruit is worth celebrating, not to mention worth 100's of millions of dollars to the economies of the aforementioned regions. 

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Citrus Trees

Citrus is thought to have developed in Southeast Asia in about 4000 BC. Citrus probably entered Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Citrus fruits were first brought to America by the Spanish and the Portuguese. The fact that citrus trees are evergreen and cannot tolerate freezing dictated that the warm climates of Florida and California became the leading citrus producing states in the Unites States. Citrus fruits belong to the ‘Rutaceae’ family. Citrus fruits are fragrant, with or without seeds depending on the variety, and contain significant amounts of vitamin C, pectin, and fiber. They are fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free.

The dwarf citrus trees offered by Nature Hills may also be grown inside. Dwarf citrus trees in containers can be successfully grown throughout the United States. Citrus like 8 to 12 hours of sunlight a day. Full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights are the best supplement for inside growth. They will tolerate less light in the winter than in the spring and summer. For container soil, use a light, well draining commercial soil mix. Do not put gravel in the bottom of the pot. Place the container on pebbles in a saucer or other surface that will allow air and water flow. Water them every 5 to 7 days with ¼ to ½ gallon of water. Do not keep them standing in water. The soil should be moist, not soggy. Citrus foliage benefits from being sprayed or misted with water, especially in winter months when the humidity might be low. A humidifier would also help keep the leaves lush and healthy.

Orange Trees – Most Favored in the Citrus Family

The orange tree plant, Citrus sinensis, is one of the most favored of the citrus fruits grown in the world. It is a fruit of the citrus family. Orange trees are considered a subtropical plant because they can withstand colder temperatures during their dormancy periods. Mature orange trees can withstand below freezing weather for short periods of time. Orange trees have rounded crowns and slender branches.

Gardening in the warmer climates would be complimented with an orange tree. But if gardening is done in cooler climates, orange trees can be grown in containers and moved inside during cold weather months. Some orange trees can get quite large, so if the landscape is not suited for a larger tree, use a dwarf orange tree. Dwarf orange trees can quite easily be kept to 8 or 10 feet tall. Gardening with an orange tree in a landscape will provide the grower with an evergreen tree that is long leafed, attractively shaped, has sweet orange blossoms, and wonderful fresh fruit.

 Orange juice has been used and promoted as a breakfast juice for a long time. Navel oranges have been carried in lunch boxes by school children for a century or so. Orange juice is sweet and tangy, and it delivers a healthy, refreshing drink at any time during the day. Naval oranges are easy to peel so, therefore, are favored by children with small hands, or even older folks, because of the ease of orange peel removal.

Oranges have long been a citrus fruit of choice. Portuguese sailors packed oranges for their long sea voyages to help prevent scurvy, which was caused by lack of vitamins. Orange trees were planted along trade routes of mariners so access to fresh oranges was available to sailors.

The orange and its juice contains large amounts of vitamins and minerals. Oranges contain high amounts of vitamin C. They are also high in dietary fiber, folate, vitamin B1, potassium, vitamin A, and oranges are low in calories. Being sweet and tangy, high in vitamins, and having lovely white blossoms, what is not to like about the production of these great citrus trees? Recent publications have also touted the orange as containing healing phytonutrients such as citrus flavanones, which have been reported to have antioxidant qualities.

 Growing citrus trees, such as the orange, depend on several factors. Water, soil quality, and pH levels are three of the most important. Ideally, soils for orange trees should be loose, rich in organic material, and well drained; sandy loam soil is ideal. Water can filtrate through loose organic soil and reach roots at all levels. Excess water can easily drain away from these types of soil.

Orange trees are heavy water users. Water deeply every 7 to 10 days in the summer and water less often if it rains or the weather is cool. Allow the soil to dry out between water applications. Orange trees prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5. When choosing fertilizer, add compost or manure to maintain a good pH level for the sweet orange tree. When placing a tree in a landscape, where all the ground has been moved or filled, consider amending the soils before trying to grow citrus trees.

Pruning orange trees should be accomplished before the orange blossom arrives. Prune out dead or diseased branches and remove any suckers in the lower trunk area. Cut any branches crossing over the center in order to open up the center of the tree for light and air circulation. The orange tree is an asset to a property. With little effort, it offers lovely fragrant blossoms and produces a healthy fruit that is juicy and flavorful.

Apricots

Latin, apricot means "precious," a label earned because it ripens earlier than other summer fruits. A relative of the peach, the apricot is smaller and has a smooth, oval pit that falls out easily when the fruit is halved.

Apricots originally came from China. This golden fruit has been around for more than 4,000 years. Apricots progressively made their way through the Persian Empire to the Mediterranean where they were fondly adopted. Spanish explorers introduced the apricot to the New World, and they were planted in the gardens of Spanish missions all over California. The first recorded major production of apricots in America was in 1792 south of San Francisco.

Apricots Today

In the United States, 95% of apricots grow in the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of northern California. More than 400 growers produce many varieties of apricots, the most common of which are featured in the table below. Growers continually experiment with new varieties that deliver sweet flavor and ship or process well.

History of Guava

The early Spanish explorers of the 1500’s found Strawberry Guava, ‘Acca sellowiana O.,’ growing as a native tree in America, where they were firmly established from Mexico southward to Peru. History records that Seminole Indians were growing guava trees in Northern Florida in 1816.

Strawberry Guava, ‘Acca sellowiana O.,’ can grow into trees 25 feet tall and frequently they are planted by homeowners as a privacy hedge that is easily trimmed or grown as an untrimmed windbreak. The guava tree can be trained to single or multiple trunks by pruning and will grow into an excellent specimen plant that is covered with exotic flowers during late spring. The wood is gray in color, and the grain is very hard and dense. The leaves are small, distinctly colored flat green, making the plants easily recognized at a distance.

The guava tree or shrub is slow growing and requires the planting of two plants for cross-pollination. The tree is cold hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and is salt water tolerant. Bees and hummingbirds visit the red and yellow flowers, and the pollination visits result in a heavy fruit set.

The guava fruit is classified as a berry by most botanists, and it occurs in clusters with individual berries in sizes just under one inch. Each guava berry is covered by a rough rind and the pulp inside occurs in colors of white, pink, or red.

The guava tree grows best in partial shade in acidic soils. The plants are virtually disease free, and the fruit is usually harvested by shaking off the mature guavas when the color change occurs, then, they are collected onto sheets or tarps. The fruit will keep well in a refrigerator up to a week and can be peeled and eaten as fresh fruit, as a dessert, or in salads. If the fruit is dipped into diluted lemon juice, the color of the pulp will remain bright.

The fruit is commercially made into puddings, pies, juices, and jellies, and is a rich source of Vitamin A and C, as well as many beneficial minerals. The guava is grown commercially in Florida and California, and in many southern forests the shrub has become naturalized and mistaken as a native historical plant
“Guavaween” is a traditional central Florida event and fund raiser that is held every year to celebrate the advent of the guava corresponding to parades and festivals that are scheduled near Halloween at holidays Ybor City, Florida, an outskirt of Tampa, Florida. This “Guavaween” event is celebrated during the last of October each year.

There are many kinds of guavas; one tropical guava, ‘Psidium guajava L.,’ is an important crop in Hawaii, with fruit production exceeding 15 million pounds per year.

These guava fruits are technically considered to be berries, and the trees grow in the wild on the island of Kuawai as a native plant. Before harvesting, the plants are vigorously pruned, fertilized, and irrigated. Fresh vigorous shoots grow in response to the pruning, and the delicious fruit forms within the flowers that mature on the new wood to form guavas and require about seven months to fully develop.

Most travelers to Florida last century will remember the many tourist stops on U.S. Highway #1 and U.S. 41 that have now been transformed into interstate highways I-1 and I-75. Tourist shops such as “Stuckeys” were loaded with souvenirs such as pecan logs. One of the most memorable items displayed for sale was guava jelly, jam, paste, or any other conceivable product that involved the use of the magical fruit of the guava tree. All these little jars of jelly and other guava products were visually stunning to the eye, revealing their contents in colors of mint green, red, yellow, and blue.