Fruit trees

[cornutt]

My experience growing apple trees in Madison was poor. The cedar apple rust was a major problem and it ruined about half of the fruit. And I had to put nets over the trees to try to keep the birds from pecking the fruit. And the wood was weak and the trees kept losing limbs if I didn't truss them up. When the 2000 drought killed two of the three trees, I dug them all up and disposed of them.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by grannynancy

I am in the same situation [0.4 acre with one side of my house having the right sun] - not the Fuyu is one I have targeted but I bought the fruit at Walmart [love the native American Persimmon but - too messy, too big] and it was very bland - like a not so ripe cantelope with an aftertaste of onion. Does this variety ripen to anything you would want to eat.

How about for apples Stayman Winesap in zone 7? I love those and they are hard to find at stores.

Oh nobody mentioned figs - they are a staple in the South.

I bought 2 winesap apple trees but boy are they slow growers. Well actually one died so I will buy another one next year. I love winesap apples and you jsst can't find them in the stores. I got them for $3.00 each and they were about 5' tall

I have 2 peach trees that did better last year. They didn't do well this year they fell off before they got ripe or big. I think it was all the rain we had.

I am going for a fig tree next year. I love them.

[Threestep]

Get in touch with the county extension office or the Master Gardeners. I did not believe how much I would learn going through the Gardener Programm. Petals from the Past in Jemison is run by a former Auburn professor - he specializes in fruit trees bred for the area. Otherwise Auburn's experimental farm is with the Chilton County Extension Office - nice folks!!! Ask your questions - from what tree to plant, what bug is bothering you to how to get 7$ professional soil testing and recommendations.