Planting fruit trees near the house (grown, squirrel, concrete, back yard)

[mongoosedn]

So I just got a bunch of semi-dwarf fruit trees (blood orange, lemon) and was planning to plant them alongside our back wall, with about 4-6 ft of space between the trees and wall.

Does anyone think that this will cause issues with our home foundation? Our house is on a concrete slab. We also got a fig tree, and I am aware of its invasive root system, so that is definitely not going anywhere near the house.

[phonelady61]

I know that when my aunt planted fruit trees near her house she was sorry she did cause she said they drew rats and other vermin so I would not plant anywhere near my house . I wish you luck .

[wabanaki]

If that the only area you can plant, go for it. The root system of citrus tree not that massive. I love the smell the citrus trees blossom.

[mamh]

My two cents, Before you buy or plant talk with your local nurseryman or Ag Extension office about the roots on these tree's ..We cut down an apple tree and are still fighting roots in the middle of our
yard..
Good luck

[KarenBo]

I've got an apple and a pear tree in my back yard. The squirrels take some of the fruit but I've had no other problems with vermin. I agree with what Mamh wrote. For peace of mind, I think it is a good idea to talk to an expert about the root system and how far from the house is best.

[mongoosedn]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check with some experts, but I know that I won't even be thinking about planting any non-dwarf fruit tree near the house.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by mongoosedn

So I just got a bunch of semi-dwarf fruit trees (blood orange, lemon) and was planning to plant them alongside our back wall, with about 4-6 ft of space between the trees and wall.

Does anyone think that this will cause issues with our home foundation? Our house is on a concrete slab. We also got a fig tree, and I am aware of its invasive root system, so that is definitely not going anywhere near the house.

Planting trees such as citrus against a wall is a tactic those of us in colder zones use as the wall helps heat them in the winter. However, since you are going for blood orange and lemon, I assume you are in the Sunbelt. If so, then I reckon 4-6 feet is a more than adequate buffer. No worries. Watch out for roof rats though.

[mongoosedn]

Originally Posted by Moth

Planting trees such as citrus against a wall is a tactic those of us in colder zones use as the wall helps heat them in the winter. However, since you are going for blood orange and lemon, I assume you are in the Sunbelt. If so, then I reckon 4-6 feet is a more than adequate buffer. No worries. Watch out for roof rats though.

Yup, I am in San Diego, so no worries about frost of chill here . Although that wouldn't be a bad idea to get my oranges a little sweeter.

So I keep hearing about rats and fruit trees; are they a big fan of fruit trees? I never imagined rodents clambering through fruit orchards.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by mongoosedn

Yup, I am in San Diego, so no worries about frost of chill here . Although that wouldn't be a bad idea to get my oranges a little sweeter.

So I keep hearing about rats and fruit trees; are they a big fan of fruit trees? I never imagined rodents clambering through fruit orchards.

Yea roof rats are apparently big in your area and the rest of the sunbelt. I would do a bit of research. Obviously lots of people have fruit trees so I would think there are many countermeasures.

4 winds nursery sells frost covers for citrus. Its where I procured three trees.

[1coolcustomer]

I put my Meyer lemon and Navel orange further out in the yard to let them get as much sun as possible. They're doing great for $10 flea market trees. The lemon tree already has about 20 lemons on it, the orange tree no fruit yet, but it's grown about a foot.