D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
May
2009
Bearing Fruit
Peaches, cherries and apricots, oh my! The pluses of planting your own fruit trees.
Story and photos by Stephen Vanstone
 |
The author shows the more mature
fruit trees that will produce sooner and are more likely to thrive in
our climate. |
Spring has officially sprung and finally the last late frosts of the past season are safely behind us. Throughout the Southwest our many valleys and neighboring foothills abound with beautiful blossoms, their vibrant colors and wonderful aromas for all to share. Most homes' freshly flowering trees and shrubs are simply ornamental, as the local fruit-tree orchards of yesteryear seem to have gone the way of so many pecans, chilies, onion, lettuce and cotton fields.
But in these trying economic times, the call to "eat local" perhaps has never rung more true. Now may be the perfect time for each of us to pause and consider the financial practicality of planting locally viable fruit trees.
Individual vegetable gardens may be too time- and labor-intensive for people with so many other commitments between family and hectic work schedules — and don't forget the voracious appetites of the local varmint population. A healthy alternative is to carefully select and plant your own favorite fruit trees: peach, cherry, apricot or other varieties specifically adapted to our climate. Once you've completed your research and committed to planting a few fruit trees for your family's enjoyment, ongoing maintenance is relatively minimal — a few hours of effort per month. Weeding requirements are minimal by comparison to conventional gardens.
Food-producing trees afford an opportunity to teach your children some of the basic joys and responsibilities of home gardening. Fruit trees also allow us to revisit our past and present dietary choices of over-packaged and over-processed food supplies. We all need to increase our intake of the daily recommended fruit servings. Why not do so with the freshest fruit available, picked and eaten without ever leaving our own property?
When your yard space is limited, it's often most practical to select fruit species that are self-pollinating. Also, sun exposure and watering availability must be taken into account.
Initially, once you've chosen your fruit variety, financial realities must be considered. For example, you may be tempted to purchase a small fruit tree whip in a medium-sized, number-five container whose trunk size (caliper) may barely be as thick as your thumb. These may initially seem attractively priced, typically from $30 to $50; however, such small trees will require a fair bit of nurturing and monitoring over the first few critical years. You may also have to wait three to five seasons before they will bear a reasonable quantity of any edible fruit. These smallest options are also highly susceptible to the seasonal stress of extreme local temperature ranges. They are often propagated out of state and under environmentally controlled circumstances, in an enclosed industrial greenhouse supporting far different heat and humidity conditions from the real world of the southwestern United States. So their survivability must be taken into account given your own ability and personal "green thumb factor."
Another option to consider is to purchase a more mature tree that has already survived three to four years of local weather challenges and proven its hardiness. Such trees will have a trunk caliper of one and a half to three inches and stand eight feet or more in height. They are grown in local fields and dug after they have often already borne fruit in the tree farm's field. They are usually sold with a large, two- to three-foot diameter root-ball, which is wrapped in biodegradable burlap and sturdily placed into a 28-32-inch nursery basket.
While these trees are often priced between $100 and $300 to start, they are understandably perhaps the most economical choice given their long-term survivability is virtually guaranteed, assuming basic transplanting, watering and cultivation techniques are followed.
With fruit produce at the stores now averaging $4-$6 per pound, having your own fresh fruit to pick and enjoy means your tree will pay for itself in just a season or two. Canning and preserving your harvest with your family and friends is also another wonderful opportunity for living and learning together.
Locally sustainable fruit varieties such as Texas Ranger and Red Haven Peaches, Lupin and Stella Cherries and Golden Amber Apricots are all considered delicious. These trees will have all just been freshly dug over the past few months while still dormant, thus minimizing any transplant stress. They are just beginning to flower, as they have high chill-hour (number of hours spent at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) requirements of 800 to 900 hours to minimize premature blossoms during periodic warm spells in early spring. Too many other species may have as few as 400 to 500 chill hours, thus risking the loss of fruit-bearing ability following the likelihood of local late frosts.
Whatever your choice, seriously consider protecting your family's source of fresh fruit from pesticides/herbicides and go as local as you can get — your own backyard. These days, investing in some plants, shrubs and trees can greatly improve your home's "curb appeal" and value at time of resale. While attracting birds, butterflies and hummingbirds with wonderful aromas and color, fruit trees also provide much-needed wind and dust protection along with personal privacy. Fast-growing native trees will give your home cooling shade in summer yet let the winter sun through to help warm the house.
Stephen Vanstone is a Saturday Las Cruces Farmer's and Crafts Market participant with a booth on Las Cruces Avenue at the south end of the Downtown Mall, across from the Southwest Environmental Centers office. He also has a booth on Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the farmers' market at Mountainview Market, El Paseo and Idaho in Las Cruces. An experienced tree farmer and nurseryman, Vanstone is willing to address any questions via telephone, 571-0195 or e-mail, vannersplace@hotmail.com
For another look at fruit-tree farming, see this issue's Continental Divide page.