[Arid_gardener] Fruit trees

[Tyler Storey]

Rich, good morning,
Your take on available versus appropriate apple varieties is correct: just
because it's available at the store doesn't mean it grows well here.  The
three apple varieties that reliably do well here are still Ein Sheimer,
Anna, and Dorsett Golden (the latter is from a seedling tree from Bermuda).
And, for those of us who really appreciate a tree-ripened apple, they do
leave a lot to be desired.  
Fruiting fig trees do, however, grow and fruit quite well here.  The two
most reliable varieties are Mission (also called Black Mission) and Brown
Turkey.  There may be white-fleshed varieties that do well here, but I don't
think Calimyrna is among them, as it is one of the rare figs that does
require a pollinator -- a particular wasp that doesn't make its home in
Phoenix.  
To be certain you get a fruit tree that will grow well and produce fruit in
this area, I strongly recommend you try one of the local nurseries (Baker on
40th street, for example).  At a local nursery, you'll be able to ask
questions with a reasonable expectation of local knowledge.
If you're looking for a fruit tree that produced shade as well, you might
also consider the Santa Rosa plum.  It's a Japanese hybrid plum that grows
and sets fruit very well here.  I've had one that quite reliably produces
large quantities of excellent plums, ready for harvest around June 15.
Again, a local nursery will be able to guide your selection.
I hope this helps.
Thanks much,
Tyler

tyler at tylerstorey.com
http://tylerstorey.com
602-738-2978

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
jeririch at cox.net
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 5:09 PM
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

Rich Jeriha
85022
jeririch at cox.net

Back when I was a more active gardener a few years back when I was redoing
my landscaping plants I remember there were only a few apple trees that
would grow in the Phoenix area and those had not so good fruit and were
Isreali(sp sorry) in descent. They were heat tolerant. In the nurseries in
Phoenix now, ok Home Depot and Loews they stock all types of apple and
cherry trees. Apples such as all of the Delicious varieties Fuji and so on.
Are any of these able to grow in Phoenix or is it the trees they were
shipped and they will try to sell? I know people used to grow fig trees also
but a check with the Western Gardening Book shows not too well suited for
Phoenix. I don;t mean ornamental figs I mean like Mission or Calymrna. I am
in need of replacing some things now adn would rather go with fruit then
shade only. 

Thanks


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