Suggestions on fruit trees for city sized yards?

[Xithras]

This last winter was fairly brutal on my sisters yard, and she lost all three of her trees. They were of the genus "generis suburbia" (i.e., fast growing and ugly) so she's not too broken hearted about it. I was over at her house this weekend helping her dig out stumps, and the conversation turned to replanting. At first she started talking about the typical maples and aspens that most people love seeing in front of their homes, but after a few minutes she really started liking the idea of planting fruit trees instead. I have large gardens around my home, but no fruit trees, so I couldn't offer her any advice.

Her biggest concern was space. Like most modern suburban homes, her backyard is only about 20 feet deep by 50 feet wide. Her front yard is about the same. Is this enough space to plant fruit trees? Anyone have any suggestions on any varieties that work particularly well in cramped spaces?

[Denninmi]

1. More information, please.

Tell us what climate zone and general region you're in, and we can probably help you. What she can grow will depend a lot on where she lives. Thanks.

[Xithras]

2. Climate wise, just about anything.

We're in the California Central Valley, which is capable of growing just about anything. It's pretty much prime ag real estate 10 months of the year. In fact, there's a good chance that the land under her house was a very productive orchard about 10 years ago.

Our discussion and concerns were more about space and appropriateness for a developed residential area. Neither of us has any real idea how large or fast the various fruit trees can grow, and she doesn't want to plant something that she's just going to have to cut down again in five years. I was just hoping for some pointers on what does, and doesn't, work well in smallish residential yards.

But, just in case you still want it: We live in a zone 9 climate with slow-draining loamy clay soils. At the time of the development, her property was topped with approximately 12 inches of sandy loam to level the property and aid drainage.

[MajorChode]

3. Peach trees work great and are relatively easy to grow

That much space is definitely enough to grow fruit trees, provided they will get plenty of sunshine. Even regular sized peach trees don't get that big. Most varieties are 25' tall and wide or less. You can get dwarf varieties that only get about 10-15' tall and wide. You should check with your county extension office to find out what varieties work best in your area and what disease and pest controls you'll need for your area. I have 3 peach trees and all of them are different varieties. This works out great because they all produce at different times and they all bloom at different times, so if I get a late freeze I don't loose all my peaches for that year. The great thing about peaches is they can be canned very easily and they are extremely versatile in recipes. They are also great in jam or preserves. You also get beautiful blooms in the spring.

If you plant them now, you'll likely get a good harvest the year after next. Cull all fruit in the first two seasons. In the third season, cull about half to 2/3rds of the fruit when it first appears to maintain about 6" spacing or more between each fruit. You get bigger peaches that way and you don't have to worry about branches breaking off. A fully mature peach tree might produce as much as 3-4 bushels per year. You also need to prune the tree back by about 50% in the winter after the tree is a few years old. In the first 2-3 years only light pruning is needed.

As with just about all fruit trees, you need to provide them with a high nitrogen fertilizer about once per month during the fruit bearing season and make sure they get plenty of water. You will probably need to spray them periodically. In some areas fungus is a problem and bugs may take all of your crop if you don't take care of them.

[bvar22]

5. Peaches!!

That is exactly what I was going to recommend.
They don't get that large.
They are self pollinating, so you only need one.
Home Made Peach Ice Cream on the 4th of July is a delicious TREAT,
AND, the Hot Pink blossoms in the Spring are absolutely beautiful!

This is our 4th season with our 3 Peach Trees.
They are loaded with young fruit, and we don't see a Late Freeze this year...keeping our fingers crossed.
We'll start culling fruit tomorrow!

[MajorChode]

6. I've already sprayed and culled mine

I think I'm going to get a really good harvest this year.

[bvar22]

7. What do you spray with?

If you don't mind me asking.

[MajorChode]

8. I use Volck oil spray

I spray about 3 times when the tree is in bloom. That's generally all the pest control I do. If I don't, various pests will lay their larvae on the blooms and it will infest the fruit as it grows. Check with your local county extension to find out what works in your area.

[WhiteTara]

4. have you thought of dwarfs?

they reach about 10-12 feet in height and produce almost as much as full size trees.

[Xithras]

9. No, because their primary purpose will still be to shade the yard and house.

She did look at dwarfs, and they were too small to really offer much shade (we have 105-108 degree summers here, so forgoing shade in the yard isn't an option).

So far she's looking at putting in a plum tree, but we're still looking into other options. I suggested a peach tree as other mentioned here, but she didn't like the low "fork", which makes them harder to walk and seek shade under. I'm still looking to see if I can find an example of a "tall" peach tree, but it looks like most are pruned short (presumably to make harvesting easier).

Her goal isn't to turn her yard into an urban farm, but to replace her generic "shade" trees with something more functional, while still fulfilling her "shade" needs

[bvar22]

10. We do prune our peaches and plums for easy harvest.

The deer in our area appreciate it, as it makes it easier for them to eat every single one.
This year, it won't be so easy for them. We're planning on some temporary fencing, and maybe a porch dog.

I've never pruned, or seen a Peach or Plum pruned for height and shade.
Interesting idea.
According to Google, some varieties can grow to 30' tall.
The real benefit of the Peach is that it is truly self-pollinating.
You only need one.

It appears that some varieties of Plums can also get tall.
There are some varieties of Plums that are billed as "self-pollinating", but as with Apples, they really do better with a different variety close by for pollination.

An Apple Tree may be the answer.
They can and do get large.
Again, a few varieties of Apples are sold as "self-pollinating", but the results are not as good without another variety for cross pollination.

Good Luck.
Let us know how it works out for you.