Planting, grafting, pruning and caring for fruit trees.
These are short notes in our own words from videos made by others; each note names the channel it came from. Talk with your doctor before changing your diet, taking supplements or starting new exercise.
American persimmon ripening and availability
American persimmon is said to resist pests and diseases and must be eaten ripe, after frost has softened the astringency. Ripe fruit keeps only two to three days, so it is mainly eaten from home-grown trees.
Steps:
- Wait for frost so the tannins break down
- Eat when fully ripe
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Aronia for wet, heavy clay corners
Aronia (chokeberry) is native to wetlands and tolerates or prefers poorly drained, wet clay; it is cold-hardy to zone 3 and forms a compact shrub that produces many dark berries.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Autumn olive as a free wild fruit shrub
A shrub that grows in sand, gravel and dry clay, fixes nitrogen and produces large crops of tart berries. The video notes many states list it as a noxious weed.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Barbados gooseberry as a climbing living fence
Fast-growing climbing cactus for fences or trellises, makes a privacy screen; drought tolerance less extreme than prickly pear, few pests. Hardy zones 9b to 11b.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Beach plum on sandy coastal ground
A native North American shrub or small tree that tolerates sandy, acidic, salty coastal soil and produces plums abundantly once established.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Black sapote must be fully ripe
Black sapote takes several years to bear and must be completely ripe; underripe fruit is astringent. It is described as tolerating shallow, rocky, poor soil in zones 10 to 12 and brief cold to about 28°F once mature.
Steps:
- Wait until the flesh is fully dark and soft before eating
- Scoop the flesh out of the skin
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Black sapote: tropical fruit for zones 10 to 11
Evergreen tree that handles dry spells better than most tropical fruits and needs less water than banana or papaya. Ripe fruit is dark, soft and has a creamy, mild, cocoa-like flesh eaten with a spoon or blended.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Canistel: tender tropical tree for zones 10 to 11
Only suitable where freezes are rare. Handles dry spells better than mango, has fewer pest issues, and fruit holds on the tree for weeks after ripening. Stays a manageable size and rarely ships.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Chanyar as a soil-improving tree in dry regions
Chanyar is described as tolerating sandy, alkaline, arid ground and, like other nitrogen-fixing trees, gradually improving the soil around it.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Chay as a low-maintenance temperate tree
Chay (Mandarin melon berry) is a mulberry relative, cold-hardy to zone 5 and drought-tolerant; it is thorny when young, needs a sunny well-drained site, and is said to need little spraying or pruning.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Chicago Hardy fig recovers from winter die-back
In harsh winters the Chicago Hardy fig can die back to the ground and still fruit on new wood before frost. It is described as self-fertile and mostly pest-free in North America, and can be grown in zone five or six with mulch.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Cornelian cherry cultivars and timing
Look for named cultivars like Jolico, Pioneer, or Elegant for larger, sweeter fruit. It blooms in late winter with early pollinator nectar and ripens late summer to early fall. It tolerates partial to moderate shade in zones 4 to 8.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Deciduous trees for summer shade and winter sun
The fig trees planted on the front of the house shade it in summer, cutting heat gain. They drop their leaves in winter, letting sun reach the concrete floors, which store the heat.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Dwarf pomegranate in a large container
Dwarf pomegranates suit large pots in full sun, are drought-tolerant once established, and are self-pollinating. They can be moved indoors in cold winters and begin fruiting in two to three years. The video says daily fresh arils or juice are the way to eat them.
Steps:
- Plant a dwarf variety in a large container in full sun.
- Bring indoors in cold winters.
- Eat fresh arils daily or juice them.
Idea from a video by Secrets Beneath Nature with Dan.
Dwarfing citrus rootstock controls size
Citrus on dwarfing rootstock such as Flying Dragon stays small, around 3 to 4 feet with light yearly shaping, because the root controls tree height.
Steps:
- Choose citrus grafted on dwarfing rootstock
- Shape lightly each winter to keep it at 3 to 4 feet
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Feijoa container choices
Use self-fertile cultivars such as Coolidge, Mammoth, or Apollo so one plant fruits. Use a container of at least 15 to 20 gallons and a well-draining mix. In hot zones, afternoon shade helps fruit quality.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Fig tree as a resilient, dual-use tree
The video describes fig trees as resilient, productive and drought tolerant in suitable climates, giving both food and medicinal uses.
Steps:
- Plant a fig tree in a suitable climate
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Food forest with fruit trees and nitrogen fixers
Plant bare-root fruit and nut trees about 20 feet apart, surround each with several nitrogen-fixing shrubs such as Siberian pea shrub, autumn olive, or goumi, underplant with perennials, and mulch heavily with free wood chips. The video says the first two years need watering and weeding.
You will need:
- bare-root fruit and nut trees
- nitrogen-fixing shrubs (Siberian pea shrub, autumn olive, goumi)
- perennial understory plants
- free wood chip mulch
Steps:
- Plant bare-root trees in late winter, spaced about 20 feet apart
- Plant three nitrogen-fixing shrubs around each tree
- Underplant with perennial vegetables
- Mulch heavily with wood chips
- Water and weed during the first two years
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Grafting a bud onto a tree branch
Make a precise cut to expose the cambium layer, fit a bud from another tree into the opening so the living tissues match, then wrap tightly to hold it in place while the cells join. Once healed, the branch can bear a different fruit.
Steps:
- Make a precise cut on the branch to expose the cambium layer.
- Fit a bud from the other tree into the opening, matching the living tissues.
- Wrap tightly to hold everything in place while the graft heals.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Grafting in Hawaii: wait for more local trials
Grafting can raise yield, reduce disease and improve flavor, but little data exists on which genotypes perform well in Hawaii and grafted material is hard to source in quantity, so waiting for more trials may be wise.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Grafting superior pecan trees
A grafting technique let superior pecan trees be reproduced consistently, turning unpredictable wild trees into reliable commercial crops. The video credits a formerly enslaved horticulturist from Louisiana, Antoine, with this work.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Grow pawpaw trees in shade with two for pollination
Young pawpaw trees need shade to establish, tolerate cold to negative 20 F, resist pests and deer, and should be planted in pairs for cross-pollination.
Steps:
- Plant young pawpaw in shade or dappled shade to establish
- Plant two trees for cross-pollination
- Allow a few years to establish before expecting fruit
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Grumichama in warm subtropical climates
Grumichama is a Brazilian Eugenia relative suited to warm zones 9b to 11 and to low-nutrient, acidic soils; it is slow to establish but reliably productive.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Grumichama: evergreen cherry-like tropical for zones 9 to 11
Evergreen Eugenia-family tree that bears cherry-flavored fruit without needing winter chill; water regularly the first two years, then back off; fruiting starts around year three or four. Fruit is soft and does not store well.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Guamuchil for hot, dry, poor tropical soil
Guamuchil (madrasthorn) is presented as drought-tolerant and able to grow in cracked, nutrient-poor tropical soils, needing water mainly in its first year; it is suited to tropical or subtropical areas.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Guava fruits on new growth, so prune to boost yield
Guava sets fruit on new wood, so heavy pruning is presented as a way to increase production.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Guava tolerates poor, clay, sandy or alkaline soil
Shallow roots let guava grow in poor soils including clay, sand and alkaline conditions where many fruit trees struggle.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Hardy kiwi harvest timing
Hardy kiwi ripens late August through October; pick when the fruit softens slightly under gentle pressure rather than by color.
Steps:
- Watch for softening when pressed gently between fingers
- Pick when the fruit gives
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Hardy kiwi needs male and female plants
Hardy kiwi vines are dioecious, so you need one male and one female plant to get fruit. Vines need a strong trellis or pergola because they grow vigorously.
Steps:
- Plant one male and one female vine
- Provide a strong trellis or pergola and full sun
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Hardy kiwi pollination and trellis
Hardy kiwi needs a male and female plant unless a self-fertile variety like Isai is used; plant about one male per four or five females, in full sun on a sturdy trellis built before planting.
You will need:
- hardy kiwi vines
- sturdy trellis
Steps:
- Build a sturdy trellis before planting
- Plant in full sun
- Use one male per four or five females, or a self-fertile variety such as Isai
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Harvest sunflower heads for seed
Wait until the back of the head turns yellow and the seeds are plump. Cut the head, hang it upside down somewhere dry to finish drying, then rub out the seeds and store them airtight.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Haskap pollination and pot size
Plant at least two cultivars, such as Borealis and Indigo Gem, for cross-pollination and higher yield. Compact cultivars fit 15 to 25 gallon containers, and the roots stay cooler in partial shade.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Hazelnut bush as a windbreak and nut crop
Hardy hybrid hazelnut bushes can be planted as a windbreak and yield nuts in about three to four years. They are wind-pollinated, so bees are not needed. Dried nuts can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, and squirrels are a pest to manage.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Honeyberry is easier to grow than blueberry
Honeyberry survives very cold winters and fruits in early June, and tolerates a wide soil pH range (about 3.9 to 7.7) unlike blueberry. Pairing two named cultivars is suggested for pollination.
Steps:
- Pair two compatible varieties
- Plant in a sunny spot with normal garden soil
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Ice cream bean as a soil-building tree
Ice cream bean (Inga edulis) is described as a nitrogen-fixing tree planted in agroforestry around cacao and coffee to rehabilitate degraded tropical soil, with pods that have sweet white pulp; suited to zones 10 to 12.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Identify staghorn sumac versus poison sumac
Staghorn sumac has upright crimson cone-shaped berries, fuzzy young stems, and grows on dry sunny ground; poison sumac has drooping white or gray-green berries, smooth stems, and grows in wet swamps and bogs.
Steps:
- Check whether berries stand upright in red cones on dry ground (staghorn).
- Check whether berries hang loose and white or gray-green in wet areas with smooth stems (poison sumac).
- Leave poison sumac alone.
Idea from a video by Nature Lost Vault.
Jaboticaba fruiting from the trunk
This slow-growing understory tree fruits on its trunk and main stems. It suits partial to moderate shade, acidic well-draining soil, steady moisture, and frost protection, and it can be kept indoors in cold climates.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Jaboticaba: trunk-fruiting tree needing consistent moisture
Subtropical tree for zones 10 to 12 that bears fruit on the trunk and main stems; prefers consistent moisture and humidity, is slow to fruit (5 to 8 years, grafted trees faster), then fruits several times a year. Not drought tolerant.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Jujube trees are long-lived and need little water
Once established, jujube needs water only in extreme drought and can produce fruit for 50 years or more. It tolerates poor soil, heat and cold to about negative 20 Fahrenheit.
Steps:
- Water only during extreme drought after the first year
Idea from a video by NATIVES WISDOM.
Jujube: drought-tolerant fruit tree for hot dry zones
Hardy to zone 6 but thrives in zones 7 to 10; once established it tolerates drought and overwatering makes fruit bland. Fruit eaten green for crisp apple-like taste or dried when wrinkled and chewy. Thornless cultivars suggested near paths.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
K-apple as a thorny hedge and jam fruit
K-apple is a South African tree that tolerates sandy, rocky, saline, and dry soil, is drought-tolerant, and can be grown as a dense thorny security hedge; its tart fruit is best used in jams and preserves because it is high in pectin.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Kei apple as a thorny living hedge
Dense, very thorny shrub suited for a property-line hedge; fruit is produced heavily and it tolerates drought once established, with too much water causing problems. Native to South Africa, hardy to about zone 9.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Lasura needs warmth and time, not rich soil
Lasura (Assyrian plum) is described as drought-tolerant and suited to hot, dry, sandy, low-fertility sites; it needs warmth and time rather than rich loam or frequent watering.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Lingonberry in shady containers
A compact evergreen under about 12 inches tall that tolerates partial to full shade. It needs acidic soil around pH 4.5 to 5.5, like blueberry mix, and fruits in spring and fall in most climates. It is suited to cold zones 2 to 7.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Long-keeping old apple varieties
Older apple varieties such as Cortland, Northern Spy and Keepsake reportedly keep three to five months near freezing. Wrap each apple in newspaper, store in single layers, and check monthly for rot.
You will need:
- Cortland, Northern Spy or Keepsake apples
- newspaper
Steps:
- Wrap each apple individually in newspaper.
- Store in single layers near freezing.
- Check monthly and remove any soft or spotted fruit.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Medlar fruit must be bletted before eating
Medlar fruit needs to partially over-ripen, on the tree after frost or off the tree in a cool place for several weeks, before the flesh turns soft and custard-like and can be eaten.
Steps:
- Leave medlar fruit to partially over-ripen after the first frost, or store it off the tree in a cool place for several weeks
- Eat once the flesh is soft, brown, and custard-like
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Miracle fruit in a pot
Grow in a well-draining acidic mix around pH 4.5 to 5.5, keep it moist and warm, and avoid harsh afternoon sun. In cold climates, bring it indoors for winter.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Morning garden walk to catch pests early
Spend 10 to 15 minutes each morning inspecting plants, especially leaf undersides of squash, cucumbers and brassicas, looking for eggs, chew marks, droppings and wilting, and remove pests by hand with soapy water.
You will need:
- soapy water in a small bucket
Steps:
- Inspect the garden early in the morning before heat.
- Flip leaves on squash and cucumbers and check under brassica leaves.
- Look for hornworm droppings, egg clusters, chew marks and wilting.
- Remove pests by hand into soapy water.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Mulberry drop and placement
Mulberries fruit within a few years but drop heavy staining fruit, so plant them away from driveways and patios. The video also suggests birds may favor mulberries over nearby cherries.
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Nanking cherry fruits quickly
Nanking cherry can fruit about two years after planting and makes a decorative edible hedge when white, pink and red varieties are mixed. Harvest promptly because insects find ripe fruit fast.
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Nanking cherry grows true from seed
Nanking cherry bushes do not need grafting. Pits from a harvest can be planted to get plants genetically identical to the parent, with fruit in about two years. The cherries suit juice, jam and wine, and the bush stays compact enough to harvest from the ground.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Overwintering potted citrus in cold zones
In zone 5 and colder, a citrus tree in a container can sit on a sunny porch and be moved into a frost-free space during the worst weeks.
Steps:
- Keep citrus in a container on a sunny porch in warmer months
- Move it into a frost-free space through the coldest weeks
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Pawpaw hand pollination and shade for seedlings
Pawpaw flowers are pollinated by flies rather than bees, so many growers hand-pollinate with a small brush between two different cultivars. Young seedlings need partial shade for their first year or two.
Steps:
- Transfer pollen between two different pawpaw cultivars with a small paintbrush
- Give seedlings partial shade for the first year or two
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Pawpaw needs two cultivars and shade when young
Pawpaw is not self-fertile, so plant two cultivars such as Sunflower and Allegheny in 30 to 35 gallon pots. Young plants need shade for their first two to three years. Hand-pollinate with a small brush while flowers are open.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Pawpaw planting and establishment
Plant young nursery pawpaws in late spring, keep the taproot-laden roots intact, give partial shade when young and water through the first two summers.
Steps:
- Plant young nursery-grown trees in late spring
- Keep roots as intact as possible
- Provide partial shade when young
- Water through the first two summers, especially in dry weeks
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Pawpaw pollination requirement
Pawpaw needs two distinct named varieties planted within about 30 feet of each other; a single tree will rarely fruit.
You will need:
- two named pawpaw varieties
Steps:
- Buy two different named varieties from a nursery
- Plant them within 30 feet of each other
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Pawpaw ripeness and first harvest timeline
Pawpaw young trees take three to six years to give a meaningful first harvest; ripe fruit gives gently under the thumb.
Steps:
- Expect three to six years before a meaningful harvest
- Pick when the fruit gives under gentle pressure
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Persimmon in poor soil
American persimmon tolerates sand, clay and rocky ground across much of the eastern US. Asian persimmon, the grocery-store type, is said to suit zones 7 to 10.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Persimmon zones and pollination
American persimmons suit zones 4 to 9; Asian varieties suit zone 6 South and up, with hybrids for zone 5. The video says persimmons are self-fertile.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Pineapple guava in sandy, salt-exposed sites
Pineapple guava (feijoa) is said to handle sandy, poorly drained soils, drought, and salt spray, and to be cold-hardy to zone 8 with some light-frost survival in 7b with protection. Its flowers are edible and it can be used as an ornamental.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Planting guava: site, spacing and establishment
Plant in full sun with trees 10 to 15 feet apart and water regularly for the first 3 to 6 months while established. Seed-grown trees take 2 to 3 years to first fruit; grafted plants take 1 to 2 years.
Steps:
- Plant in full sun.
- Space trees 10 to 15 feet apart.
- Water regularly for 3 to 6 months during establishment.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Planting window and first-fruit timing for persimmons
Plant young grafted persimmons in fall or spring in full sun and well-drained soil; first fruit is expected around years two or three.
Steps:
- Plant a young grafted tree in fall or spring
- Choose full sun and well-drained soil
- Leave mostly alone; expect first fruit in year two or three
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Pomegranate tree in a warm climate
The video recommends a pomegranate tree where the climate is warm enough, calling it one of the most worthwhile things to grow.
Steps:
- Plant a pomegranate tree if your climate is warm enough
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Prickly pear: low-input cactus for hot dry yards
Edible orchard types grow in zones 9 to 11 for sweet fruit; once established needs little water, no fertilizer, and pruning only if it crowds. Spineless or nearly spineless varieties exist; wear gloves at harvest.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Propagating figs from dormant cuttings
Take a dormant fig cutting in January or February from a neighbor’s tree, root it in moist potting mix on a warm windowsill for four to six weeks, then plant it outdoors in spring.
You will need:
- dormant fig cutting
- moist potting mix
Steps:
- Take a dormant cutting in January or February
- Set it in moist potting mix on a warm windowsill
- Wait four to six weeks for rooting
- Plant in the ground in spring
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Quince as an easy, cold-tolerant fruit tree
Quince is self-pollinating, tolerates shallow soil, can be grown as a bush or in a large container, and is rarely troubled by disease. Raw fruit is tart, so it is best cooked into jam or paste.
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Rinse fruit as soon as it comes home
Rinse fresh fruit under the tap right away, without scrubbing or soaking, before putting it in the bowl, to remove any eggs or hitchhiking flies on the skin.
Steps:
- Rinse each piece of fruit under running tap water when you bring it home
- Put it in the bowl only after rinsing
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Ripen astringent persimmons fully before eating
Astringent Asian persimmons are unpleasant when underripe and only good once they soften fully; non-astringent types can be eaten firm when orange.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.
Sapodilla establishment and salt tolerance
Sapodilla is described as salt- and drought-tolerant, slow to establish over several years, and suited to zones 10 and 11.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Sea buckthorn for poor, sandy or salty soil
Sea buckthorn is described as nitrogen-fixing, able to colonize sand, salty soil, and eroding slopes, and cold-hardy to zone 3; the video presents it as a soil-building tree.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Serviceberry cultivar and shade
Regent stays about 4 to 6 feet and suits large containers. It grows in full sun to partial shade, and in hotter zones partial shade gives sweeter berries. It is hardy from zones 2 to 9.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Shipova is a single-clone fruit
Shipova is a rare mountain ash by pear hybrid. The video says all trees sold trace back to one original plant, that it fruits in about four to seven years, and that it is hard to find at specialty nurseries.
Idea from a video by Superfood Garden.
Spray neem when bees are not active
Apply neem in early morning or late evening, after bees have returned to the hive, and let it dry before they come back, to avoid wet droplets on bees.
Steps:
- Spray early morning before bees are out or late evening after they return to hive
- Avoid spraying during midday when pollinators are working flowers
- Let the spray dry before bees return
Idea from a video by DTD History Radio.
Starting lemon trees from seed
Plant dried lemon seeds in small pots to grow ornamental lemon trees that may fruit in a few years.
You will need:
- lemon seeds
Steps:
- Dry lemon seeds.
- Plant them in small pots.
- Be patient; the video says fruit may come in a few years.
Idea from a video by Sidney Explains.
Sugar apple in warm, neglected ground
Sugar apple (custard apple) is described as tolerant of poor, rocky, sandy soil with limited water in USDA zones 10 and 11, and as a tree that needs knowledge rather than high maintenance.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Suriname cherry harvest and shape
Fruit gets sweeter as it darkens, so pick when nearly black. The shrub tolerates partial shade, stays moist but not waterlogged, and can be pruned to fit a space.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Trunk band of borax paste for coddling moth (unverified)
The video describes painting a thick borax-and-water paste in a band around an apple trunk in late winter to stop coddling moth larvae climbing to the buds. The method is presented as anecdote and an old bulletin, not as tested research. Borax on bark may injure the tree, so treat this as an idea to verify with an extension service, not a proven method.
You will need:
- borax
- warm water
Steps:
- Before buds open in late winter, mix borax and warm water into a thick paste.
- Paint a band around the trunk from about one foot to about three feet high.
- Check the tree for injury and confirm the method with local extension guidance before relying on it.
Idea from a video by Eli Yoder Agriculture.
White sapote: seeds and skin not to be eaten
White sapote is described as adaptable to clay and rocky soil and cold to about 22°F in sheltered zone 8b to 9 sites. The video warns that seeds and skin contain sedative compounds and only the flesh should be eaten, especially around children.
Steps:
- Eat only the flesh; do not eat seeds or skin
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Wild pear as a rootstock for difficult soil
Wild pear is described as cold-hardy and tolerant of heavy clay and poor drainage, and is used as rootstock in difficult soils; its fruit suits jams, preserves, and perry.
Idea from a video by Golden Seniors Living.
Winter protection for figs by zone
In zones 7 to 10 little winter protection is needed; zones 5 and 6 benefit from a south wall; in zone 4 grow figs in containers and move them to a cold, frost-free space in the hardest months.
Idea from a video by PLANT BASED NEWS.