The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
15 Basic Ways To Landscape Your Homepage
Dwarf fruit trees now generally available throughout the country rule our the last objection as to lack of space. They will permit a small orchard to be grown on an average size lot. Plant breeders have perfected many new and improved varieties, the fruit of which equals or exceeds that of regular trees.
Many dwarf trees are little larger than a good sized shrub. They are as hardy as the larger types and often bear fruit a year after planting. Neat in growing habit, dwarf trees display beautiful flowers in the spring and crisp green foliage all summer.
Other advantages of dwarf trees lie in their case of maintenance. All spraying, pruning and harvesting can be done from the ground. If birds are bothersome—a major objection to many home owners growing fruit—a piece of cheese-cloth can easily be draped over the tree to protect the crop.
Fruit trees also may be cspalicred to further conserve space and become a decorative feature of the landscape. This is a system in which trees are trained to grow flat on a trellis, lattice or wire frame. The average garage wall with only a foot wide ground space at the foundation offers an ideal spot for growing a fruit tree espalier.
Almost all stone fruits are responsive to this style of training, but apple, pear, peach, plum, nectarine and quince are best. Plants may be purchased already started in espalier form or you may train them yourself.
Training is begun on young trees by heading, or cutting back, the main stem and is many side shoots as needed. The shoots are tied to a trellis or tightly strung wire and all side shoots pinched out except those wanted for further arms in the planned framework. Branches may be trained to a single plane, flat on the support, growing either vertically or diagonally.
Fruits are allowed to form on selected spurs at uniform intervals. This type of training allows the plant maximum light and air and while the harvest may be less, fruits of espaliered plants are usually much superior to that grown on regular trees.
The initial cost of all fruit trees is comparatively small. Buy only the best stock and that which is well suited to your district. A proper selection can be made by keeping in mind the different varieties properly suited to your climatic conditions. It is also worthwhile to consider the disease and insects prei alenr in your section of the country.
