By Lucille Bobiney Heinrich



Jan. 16, was Florida Arbor Day, and January is a good month to plant blossoming fruit trees such as apple, peach, pear, plum, or nectarine. The cooler weather gives the roots a chance to develop before the tree is called upon to produce blossoms, leaves, and fruit.

When selecting a fruit tree, it is important that you keep in mind that North Florida weather conditions are not favorable to Northern fruit trees. You must select a tree that is adapted to North Florida’s mild winter climate. Before you decide to try fruit trees, be aware that even with the correct type of tree, successful fruit formation is not always guaranteed. Fruit trees often bloom soon after a warm spell in early spring. A late freeze can destroy the blooms resulting in a failed crop. Keep this in mind when selecting a spot for your tree. Always pick the warmest spot on your property for the tree.

Fruit trees need care, but the work put into pruning, fertilizing, and warding off pests is well worth the price when the tree rewards you in the summer with truly fresh fruit picked right off its branches. Your best bets for fruit trees are:

• Apple: Anna, Dorsett Golden

• Peach: Flordacrest, Suwannee Peach, Flordadawn, Flordahome, June Gold, Flordasun, FlordaKing

• Plum: Santa Rosa, Gulf Beauty, Gulf Ruby, Gulf Gold, Methley

• Pear: Baldwin, Blakes’ Pride, Hood

• Nectarine: Gulf Queen, Suncoast, Sunraycer, Sunmist, Sundollar

Be sure to purchase your plants from a reliable nursery. Stunted, spindly, or old trees of poor quality are not recommended. At best, cheap nursery stock will produce slow growing and poorly developed trees, and such trees are often incorrectly labeled. At planting time, prune about one half of the top growth.

Plant your tree in rich, well-drained soil and keep irrigated. Leave a ridge around the edge of the planting hole to help keep in moisture. Once your tree is established, begin a regular program of fertilization (January and late June) and keep on the look out for pests. These trees will add variety to your landscape, put on a show of color in the spring, and their graceful branches and leaves will grace your garden all summer long.

Other types of fruit trees to consider are persimmon, fig, may haw (native), and pecan trees all of which are well adapted to North Florida.