Fruits such as apples, peaches, and pears are delicious and healthy to eat. It’s always good to find out something about their history, their ecology, and how they get from the orchard to your kitchen. Here are some amazing things to know about fruit trees.
1. Apples Aren’t From America
Though lots of people think that apples are the most American of fruits, apples did not originate here. The ancestor of the apple comes from Asia. Only the crab apple originated in North America.
2. Some Need to Suffer
Some fruit trees won’t produce well unless they’re subject to a period of cold weather. Most pear trees need between 600 and 900 hours of temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Some apples need between 900 and 1,000 hours, and sour cherries need between 800 and 1,200 hours to be their best.
3. Most Apple Growers Prefer Dwarf Varieties
Farmers who grow apples are turning to dwarf varieties more and more. Unlike standard trees, which can take 10 years to bear, dwarf apple trees take only two to three years. They also take transplanting shock better than standard trees and produce more fruit. Dwarf varieties are also easier to harvest because they’re shorter.
4. Cherry Trees Are Blow-Dried
After a hard rain, cherry farmers sometimes call helicopters to blow-dry their cherry trees. This keeps the saturated fruit from getting soft and bursting.
5. Nearly Every Tree Bears Fruit
In order to reproduce, nearly every tree bears fruit. However, not all fruits are edible. The sweet, apple-like fruit of the manchineel tree is so poisonous that it can kill you. Other fruits require some courage to tackle. The durian fruit of southeast Asia has a repulsive smell but tastes like a sweet custard.
6. Many Are Related to Roses
When you look at the flowers of some fruit trees, it may not surprise you to know that some of them are related to roses. They include apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches.
7. Most Cultivated Fruit Trees Are Apples
There are about 7,500 apple varietals on earth, and about a third of them are grown in America. Of all the deciduous trees that produce edible fruit, half of them are apples. Apple trees produce fruit for between 15 and 20 years. On the other hand, olive trees have been known to bear fruit for over 1,000 years.
Learn More About Fascinating Fruit Trees
Are you interested in growing your own fruit trees, or do you already have one or two in your yard? If you do, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our skilled and experienced arborists at A+ Tree & Landscaping if you need trimming, pruning, or emergency services in Wilmington, NC, or if the time has come for your tree to be removed.
