It’s fruit tree planting time again. When properly planned, planted and

cared for, many of the  basic fruiting trees  can do quite well here in

central Texas. Apples, peaches, plums, pears and of course the state

nut – the pecan – are all possibilities for edible specimens and/or shade

trees in your yard.

 

Most fruit trees require a few basic conditions to do well.  Deep soil

(I know, I know, good luck on that!)  is a necessity. But that doesn’t

have to mean just ground soil. Planting the tree in a raised bed is an

effective way to increase soil depth in areas with  hard caliche (like

my house and It’s About Thyme). 

 

They also need an adequate source of moisture. Soaker hoses are a

good way to control the direction and amount of water to where the

trees need it most – on the drip-line at the edge of their canopies. 

 

If you put some mulch over the hoses and around the tree’s root zone,

this will also help to control moisture levels, especially in the heat of

the summer. A fruit tree also needs to be properly watered the season

before to fruit well the next year, as the buds begin to form that prior

season.

 

‘Chilling hours’ is an important term for fruit growers.  This is the

number of hours in the winter when the temperatures drop below 45

but above 32 degrees. Many fruit trees, including apples and peaches,

need a certain number of these hours to bud out. On average central

Texas sees between 650 and 850 chilling hours each winter.  The

number of hours varies with each variety and type of fruit. 

 

For pest and disease management you can apply an all-season horti-

cultural oil before the trees buds out in the winter, and again sparingly

as needed during the growing and fruiting season. Be aware that cotton

root rot is a problem here, so if you’ve had trouble growing peaches

or other susceptible fruit trees, don’t replant in the same place. How-

ever you can plant a pomegranate or pecan tree, which are resistant

to this disease.

 

Apple trees are an American classic, from the tales of Johnny Apple-

seed to the groves still thriving after 100 years in Utah’s Capitol Reef

National Park.

 

Here in Texas we need to make sure that we choose varieties that

do well with fewer chilling hours. You will also need two different

varieties with similar chilling hours to ensure production, as most

apple trees are cross-pollinated. 

 

Gala and Fuji are good partners, and Granny Smith can actually self-

pollinate if you only have space for one, as apple trees can grow quite

large. Other good varieties for this area include Anna and Dorsett

Golden (200-300 chilling hours), Ein Shemer (350 hours and self

pollinated) and Golden Delicious (600 - 700  hours).

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Peaches are well known as a Hill Country crop and these smaller trees

can fit quite nicely in many suburban back yards. They are beautiful

when in bloom and are a good replacement for ornamental trees in the

landscape. 

 

Peaches are self-fertile, so if you only have space for one fruit tree,

this is a good choice. Pay close attention to the chilling hours because

if they’re too low the tree may bloom too early and those blooms could

freeze. Best varieties: Belle of Georgia, Elberta, La Feleciana, Sam

Houston (very pretty pink flowers), Redskin and Loring.

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Plums: If you enjoy fresh plums, Methley and Santa Rosa are good

choices, and both are self-pollinating. Others may need a partner to

produce. Bruce, Morris and Ozark Premier are other options. Overall

plums do well in our area.

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Pear trees are another fruiting option for the Hays and Travis county

areas. You can get away with only planting one, especially for home

needs, but if you plant two you’ll get more fruit. Orient and Moon-

glow are good choices.

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Last, but not least  is the official state nut of Texas – the pecan. (No

political comments please!). While our native pecan is good for a

root stock and as wildlife food, if we want the big grocery store pecans

we need to buy a grafted variety such as Choctaw, Wichita or Shawnee. 

 

Pecans make a wonderful shade tree and live for a long time. There

are 100-year-old pecan trees on family property in Taylor that are just

beautiful (and still producing).  I do need to mention one pesky problem

for pecans: web worms. Keep close tabs on the trees and break up the

nest and spray with bT at the first sign of a problem.

                                            Happy Gardening Everyone!