Best Fruit Tress to Grow in Kalispell (Helena, Hardin: lawyer, buying)

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

I have a large piece of somewhat open land that I want to plant fruit trees on. What are the best types of fruit to grow in this area?

Thanks!

[jimj]

Depends on where it is exactly. Apples do well, I've seen some peaches and cherries (again depending on where).

[AQHA]

This thread is not getting much activity so let me add one more question to it (hope you don't mind House).

What fruit trees grow in the Helena area? Specifically the Spokane Bench area.

Thanks.

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

Originally Posted by jimj

Depends on where it is exactly. Apples do well, I've seen some peaches and cherries (again depending on where).

I'm going to be up near Eureka.

Also when is the best time to plant them? And are there any local places to buy fruit trees?

[Gman2007]

This link from MSU has information on the various apple varieties that do well in Montana. The MSU Extension service also has a great site with a lot of information on what and what does not grow here well. Also information on planting and taking care of the various trees, shrubs, or gardens.

Only the pluckiest survive: Apple varieties in Montana, Sidebar: Apple recipes

[allforcats]

Have you checked this thread?
http://www.city-data.com/forum/monta...l-fortine.html

I hope these resources will help, once you get down to a choice:

Gardening and Plant Hardiness Zones for the United States

Hardiness Zone Changes at arborday.org

[jimj]

I got an apple tree from our local garden center that worked well here. It was a Canadian breed and self pollinating so I only had to have one and would handle cold down to 30 below or so.

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

I've got about 15 acres worth of open land. I want to get as many fruit trees on it as possible--well, maybe not ALL 15 acres, but I certainly want to take advantage of the property with a lot. Thanks for the suggestions.

Is there a place in town that you could recommend buying from?

[shadowwalker]

A good source of trees is Lawyer Nursery up there in MT. Can find them on the internet. I have used them in Wyoming and Tennessee. All grew well and fruited on or before the stated years. Be careful and plant them on time and see that they have all the water they need. And watch out for the deer and rabbits. They can eat a tree to nothing or the rabbits can chew the bark off a tree in a few minutes and then it will die.. The deer can also ruin a orchard in a night or two cleaning the velvet off their horns before the rut.
Also is Musser's now they are in the south but sell trees that can be planted up there.

[jimj]

Hoopers Garden center in Kalispell has always been good to me, their tree people know what they're doing and even if you don't buy from them they will fill you in on what you need to know. If I remember right you want to plant when they're dormant so I'd start looking now and planning for what you want to do. You might have to run deer fence around the orchard and if you plant apples expect bears to visit. There's another strictly tree place just down the road from Hoopers that I'd check with as well.