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Pruning a hydrangea tree is something that you can very easily do in mid spring. Prune a hydrangea tree with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Fig trees (Ficus carica) require the mild winters found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. Because the state of Maryland is in hardiness zones 6b and 7a, it’s natural for you to assume that residents there can’t grow figs -- but you would be mistaken, according to agriculturists with the University of Maryland. For success growing fig trees in Maryland, you need to choose cold-hardy varieties. These include “Brown Turkey” (Ficus carica “Brown Turkey”), “Osborne” (Ficus carica “Osborne”) and “Celeste” (Ficus carica “Celeste”).
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. The tree has its best fruit production in dry, warm conditions. Its variety, fertilization amounts and climate all make a difference in the number of pomegranates it produces. Maximizing those conditions to encourage more fruit can boost your pomegranate's harvest.
Fig (Ficus spp.) trees, shrubs and vines thrive in Mediterranean and other climates around the world. Many of the 2,000 species produce edible figs, but the common fig (Ficus carica) with varieties such as “Black Jack,” which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, is grown for its fruit. Fig tree wood is typically weak and can rot quickly, so fertilizing and pruning encourages strong limbs and roots, whether or not the plant bears fruit.
"Plum Crazy" (Hibiscus "Plum Crazy") is a herbaceous perennial, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It is part of the mallow (Malvaceae) family of plants, which is distinguished by flowers that resemble those of common hollyhock (Alcea spp.). "Plum Crazy" is a hybrid of two species, rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, and scarlet rose mallow (Hibiscus coccineus), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9.
Fig trees (Ficus carica) take the command to go forth and multiply very seriously. Anyone sinking her teeth into a luscious, ripe fig knows without counting that each fruit contains hundreds of tiny seeds. And fig cuttings root so readily that branches falling into a river can root far downstream where figs may not be wanted. Most figs are propagated commercially by cuttings, but some rare fig cultivars are grafted onto established, vigorous trees or rootstocks. Trying this at home can make you feel like you're in a class at Hogwarts, but it is not as difficult as it sounds.
In recent years, pomegranates (Punica granatum) have gained public attention for their high levels of antioxidants. Unfortunately, these flavorful fruits can only be grown in a narrow range of climates. Cultivated in the Middle East, Asia and northern Africa, pomegranates were first introduced to the U.S. in 1769 by Spanish explorers in California. Today, California is still a major producer of commercial pomegranates.
Flowering plum trees (Prunus spp.) are prized for their pink or whitish springtime blooms, dark, reddish foliage and a variety of available forms. These small trees generally are chosen for their flowers and form, and their fruits usually are not especially desirable. The fruits even can be a nuisance, particularly where fallen fruits create a mess or inconvenience, such as on a driveway, walkway or lawn. Therefore, you may wish to prevent fruit development on a flowering plum. The tree is hardy across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, although individual varieties generally have a smaller…
Many orchard fruits taste best when allowed to ripen on the tree. Not so with pears (Pyrus spp.). Most pears ripen from the inside out, so by the time the outside of the pear is ripe, the inside may be too soft. Tree-ripened pears often develop a grainy texture, as well. The answer to when to pick pears depends mostly on the pear variety and growing conditions in your area.
"Red Delicious" (Malus domestica "Red Delicious") apples are often considered the quintessential American apple variety, with their deep red color and conical shape. In recent years, the apples have fallen out of favor, probably because commercial varieties often have a mealy texture and unappealing taste. Homegrown "Red Delicious" apples are usually sweet and juicy, although they don't store well. Unlike many apple varieties, "Red Delicious" can grow in mild conditions, such as those found in Louisiana.
When pruning fruit trees in and around your yard, you're always going to want to remember a few key tips. Learn about tips that you can use to successfully prune fruit trees with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
The Lagerstroemia indica or crape myrtle is a small ornamental tree that grows to about 15 feet tall. It produces attractive light green leaves in spring and early summer, profuse dark pink blooms throughout mid and late summer, and brilliant scarlet and yellow leaves in the fall. Proper pruning is essential for distributing blooms throughout the entire tree. Prune crape myrtle in February because blooms are borne on the current year’s shoots.
The mastic tree or Pistacia lentiscus is a small evergreen tree adapted to arid regions. A mastic tree can grow 25 feet tall, is drought tolerant and can thrive in poor soil. The mastic tree, a member of the pistachio family, is cultivated in the Mediterranean region. Its gummy mastic sap is used in foods and cosmetics. It is grown in the U.S. Southwest as an ornamental landscape tree. Pruning helps the tree grow to an attractive shape.
When properly planted and cared for, apple trees can provide delicious, nutrient-rich fruit in a home orchard. Pristine is a variety of apple tree that produces yellow, glossy fruit. Also known as "Co-op 32," the variety was developed in the 1970s and is renowned for its disease resistance. Like most apple trees, Pristine apples require cross-pollination from other apple species to yield a quality fruit set through honeybee activity. To accomplish this, you must plant different varieties of apple trees in the vicinity of the Pristine tree.
Pomelo (Citrus maximus), often called pummelo or shaddock, is the ancestor of the modern grapefruit and the largest citrus fruit in the world. Pomelo fruits can be as large as soccer balls and have thick rinds and pink, yellow, white or red flesh. The fruit ranges from round to pear shaped and may be seedy or seedless. To eat pomelo, peel away the rind, separate the segments, then open the segment membrane to remove and eat the fruit vesicles. Pomelo can be eaten out of hand or in salads and other dishes. Like other citrus, pomelo does not continue to…
A heavy snowfall can cause a lot of damage to trees, especially if the snow is wet and piles up on the branches. Treetops can bend and break, branches can crack, and sometimes the entire tree comes crashing down. If you have trees that have snow damage, you should prune them for a couple of reasons. First of all, broken branches and split places can provide a starting place for insects and disease as soon as the weather gets warmer. Pruning damaged trees also restores much of their natural beauty.
The variegated ash is a slow-growing, deciduous tree, typically grown as a shrub. The plant is a native of eastern North America and can be grown in hardiness zones 3 through 9. Its bright green leaves with white tips make for excellent filler and its blossoms and red shoots of new growth provide a spot of color in the spring. Because of its slow growth, variegated ash does not need much pruning; however, selective pruning can help the plant grow strong at a quicker rate.
Pruning a tree removes unnecessary, unwanted or dead branches to cause growth elsewhere. This can encourage the tree’s canopy to grow wider, increasing its shading abilities and aesthetic appeal. Before pruning your tree, you must consult a local tree nursery for information on what time of year is best to remove growth for your species. Generally, late autumn to early winter are of greatest benefit. If you wish to prune a tree to get a wider canopy, you must dedicate about 20 minutes once yearly. Within one to four years, the size of your tree’s canopy should greatly increase, depending…
Fig trees, with their gnarled and twisted branches, add character and tropical appeal to home landscapes. Italian honey figs are hardier than most varieties, surviving winters in warmer parts of the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic regions with winter protection. They tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and need at least 300 hours of winter temperatures below 45 degrees each year. The trees grow 10 to 30 feet tall in home settings, but they need plenty of room because their thick roots spread far beyond the canopy.
Several species of alder trees are common throughout North American forests. The white alder is notable for its fast growth, ascending up to 30 inches every year. While the quick growth makes it a desirable option for home gardeners looking for rapid tree cover, pruning may be necessary, particularly during the early years, to promote a desirable tree shape. Otherwise, most alders do not require very much pruning except to avoid undesirable interference with houses or wires or to reduce pest problems.
Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum) is a South American native first discovered in the U.S. in Florida in 1988. An invasive pest that quickly spreads and crowds out useful vegetation, tropical soda apple is most damaging to pastures and sod farms. The plant is useless as forage, but livestock and wildlife eat the small, green fruits that resemble tiny watermelons. Each of these fruits can harbor up to 100 seeds, so the most effective way to keep tropical soda apples from spreading is to prevent fruit-set. Eliminating the plant takes diligence and time.
The flavors of many heirloom varieties of apples are not readily available in grocery stores. Among these types is the Roxbury russet, an old-fashioned apple with a sharp, slightly nutty flavor that is unforgettable in cider or pies. Pruning this variety of apple tree is like trimming other varieties. The pruning process focuses on removing dead and diseased branches to concentrate the tree's growth on its healthier limbs and fruit production.
The Italian honey fig tree variety is a vigorous plant that produces a late summer fig crop, as well as an early autumn crop. Mature fruit features yellow-green skin, white to honey-colored flesh and a very sweet lemony-honey flavor. These slow-growing, hardy trees tend to have dense foliage. Italian honey fig trees can use the occasional pruning to thin out the denser branches and promote fruit size and production.
Home gardeners in warmer climates often plant banana trees for their exotic beauty. Like the closely related bird-of-paradise, they flower in home gardens under proper conditions. The shoots or pseudostems of the banana tree come up from rhizomes in the ground. These shoots mature into leaf-covered structures that produce flowers about one year later. Trimming a banana tree will keep it healthy and encourage blooming and fruit production.
Gardeners graft fruit trees to continue a particularly healthy tree well beyond its normal productive years. When you graft a tree, you are essentially cloning the mother -- this is a viable way to renew an aging orchard or to bring a new fruit tree into your garden. Scions are best taken when the donating tree is completely dormant. In most locations, they should be stored until spring for a higher chance of grafting success.
Tree ferns are special types of ferns that are characterized by large, tree-like stems. Tree ferns are most common in humid, tropical locations, but some species can be grown in subtropic locations as well. As with any plant, insects and pests can become a major problem. As long as this problem is addressed promptly and properly, it is generally fairly simple to remedy an infestation.
Several diseases and cultural conditions can cause the leaf tips to blacken on pear trees. Most of these problems are avoidable, or can at least be treated so the tree can resume its healthy growth. Diagnose the problem early and begin treatment before the condition causes a decline in fruit production.
Squirrels are helpful when you have maple or other nut-producing trees that litter your yard. But if you're losing fruit you'd like to harvest from your trees to pesky squirrels it can be disappointing. While there are many different control methods for squirrels, you can use tin to protect your trees. You don't have to be a construction professional to make your own tree protectors. With the use of a few supplies from the hardware store, you can keep squirrels from climbing your trees.
When properly cared for, an apple orchard provides a sizable harvest of tasty, crispy fruit. Like many fruit trees, apples prefer plenty of sunshine, moderately fertile soil and very good drainage. Standing water may result in root damage, slowed growth, and ultimately the death of the tree. A terraced apple orchard is the perfect way to ensure that the soil drains well. Terracing is also a solution for sloped areas that are otherwise troublesome for planting. The key to successful apple terracing is proper sizing of the plots, based on the space needs of the cultivar you're growing.
Sulfur is the oldest known organic pesticide, used by the Greeks against wheat rusts. Sulfur cooked in water with lime or calcium hydroxide, lime sulfur is particularly useful as a dormant spray -- applied only to dormant woody shrubs or trees, not foliage. Chemical companies and agricultural extension services generally warn farmers and gardeners against making their own lime sulfur, because it is caustic and can burn. In recent memory, however, farmers always made their own, using formulas and procedures supplied by extension staff. This recipe makes lime sulfur in concentrated liquid form -- probably more than you need --…
Mulberry trees grow up to 60 feet and can survive in all U.S. climates. The male mulberry trees are fruitless, making them ideal for home landscaping. They provide useful shade without the debris of falling berries. The beautiful “weeping” look of a mulberry tree can quickly become a tangled mess without regular pruning. Once the branches become too dense, the tree will sustain more damage from harsh conditions such as heavy winds, rain or snow. Thinning the top branches can reduce the damage.
The fruitless Morus alba or mulberry tree is a male clone of the regular mulberry variety. It bears only seedless flowers yet produces the same dense canopy of green leaves. Mulberry trees are soil-tolerant and rot-resistant, growing quickly from 20 to 60 feet tall. However, they tend to be top-heavy as young trees, with a thick and messy foliage that kills newer branches underneath. To avoid this and attain a better shape, you must prune your mulberry tree. The tools you’ll need depend on your particular mulberry's current condition.
Pruning the crown, or top, of a pear tree allows light to reach the root system, stimulating the growth of the branches and fruit. Some hardwood fruit trees, including pear trees, feature several crown branches that don’t allow sunlight to touch and revitalize the lower branches and roots. Before crowning your pear tree, learn what branches to cut and when to cut them to prevent harming the tree and its fruit.
Most people don't eat the fruit from a sycamore tree, but if you'd like to get them down, harvesting them is fairly easy and prevents your yard from being littered with them. Some types of animals eat sycamore fruit, which allows the seeds to be transported to a new location for growing. The fruit looks like a brown ball covered with seeds and hangs down on stalks in groups of two or three. They ripen in October and often hang on the tree through the winter. Harvesting them when they get ripe prevents the seeds from being scattered.
As a young fruit tree becomes laden with fruit, the trunk can bend under the weight. A bent trunk can be detrimental to the long-term growth of the tree, so you must correct this condition as soon as possible. One of the most common methods for straightening the trunk of the tree is by using wood and rope to brace, support and shape the trunk through the fruiting season.
Some trees take decades to mature, but when they do, they provide food, offer shade and beautify lawns and gardens. Pests, bacteria and fungal diseases, which target all types of trees, stunt growth and reduce harvests. In some cases, infected trees may die. Spraying trees with a fixed copper fungicide helps prevent and treat most fungal and bacterial diseases, including fire blight, leaf curl and brown rot.
Hollyleaf cherries, Prunus ilicifolia, produce mildly sweet fruits that resemble true cherries. Hollyleaf varieties are related to true cherries but are more often grown as a low-maintenance ornamental plant. Hollyleaf cherries also grow wild in some parts of California, making them a suitable food source for foragers and wild-food aficionados. The shrub-like trees earn their common name from their serrated leaves that are similar to a holly bush.
Almost any kind of apple trees can be planted in close proximity to one another and they will bear fruit. In fact, apple trees cannot pollinate themselves, even though each tree contains both male and female parts. They require another type of apple tree as a pollinator. This means that you need to grow at least two kinds of apple varieties together. You will get the best results if you choose trees known to complement each other.
Asian pears, available in varieties such as Hosui and Nijuesseki, are often called apple pears because of their apple-like appearance. Ripe Asian pears have golden-yellow skin and sweet, juicy flesh, and they make an appealing snack or addition to salad, soup and slaw. Asian pear trees often start developing fruit in the first three years after planting. With proper watering, fertilizing and pruning, Asian pear trees produce attractive white flowers and a bountiful harvest of fruit that lasts for years.
Insects are all around in the environment. Removal of all insects from a tree is not only impractical, but undesirable, since many insect varieties are beneficial. Understanding insect life cycles and knowing which ones cause problems can help as you design a pest control program that maximizes tree health while minimizing environmental damage.
An apple tree grown from seeds will not bear the same genetic traits as the tree of origin. Instead, the new tree will bear half of the genetic traits of the origin of the pollen that fertilized the apple tree. This is why farmers grow apple trees from rootstocks. A rootstock, which is a young tree, is a graft. For instance, to grow a McIntosh tree, you would plant a rootstock that has a graft from a McIntosh. Select a rootstock 4 to 6 feet tall with healthy roots, and plant it in the late fall to early spring.
Banana trees must be stored or wrapped if you live in an area where the temperature drops below 57 degrees F during the winter. Wet and cold weather conditions cause rotting in tropical plants. So trim, wrap and transfer small, potted banana trees to a greenhouse or garage, when the weather turns cold. Protect large banana trees in the ground with straw and a weatherproof layer of garden fleece material or plastic sheeting, to keep them safe from the elements.
A pear tree is an attractive landscape tree that provides both fruit and shade. In the spring months, the trees are lush with fragrant white flowers. There are varieties of pear tree suitable to most climates, with some types frost-hardy to temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit. With proper planting and care, you can raise productive and healthy pear trees.
Before you plant an entire apple orchard or even a single tree, it's important to prepare the ground to ensure your apple trees will be as healthy and productive as possible. Fumigating the soil your apple trees will grown in prevents pathogenic soil organisms, like bacteria, nematodes or fungi from damaging your apple trees' roots, resulting in small, weak trees that bear little fruit and may not even survive. Fumigating involves applying specific chemicals to the soil where you will plant your trees. It's not difficult and is definitely worth the effort.
The sapodilla tree (Manilkara zapota) produces a sweet fruit and chicle, a traditional chewing gum base. A Central American native, the evergreen tree has adapted to a tropical climate. It also can be found in locales such as Asia and the United States, where it grows in Florida. Sapodillas develop thick canopies and reach heights of up to 130 feet.
Suckers are another name for watersprouts, or branches that shoot up improperly on a tree. These sprouts can be detrimental and disfiguring to a tree. They can be from the root stock of a hybridized combination and are often caused by improper plant care. When you want to grow fruit properly, you'll need to know what grows best in your USDA hardiness zone. Nutrients, sunshine and proper watering and pruning can help avoid suckers.
Ginger Gold apple trees produce crisp, sweet fruit earlier than many varieties of apples. This late summer apple is thought to be a hybrid between Golden Delicious and Pippin apples, but there is uncertainty about its lineage since the rootstock was found in the aftermath of a hurricane in 1969. Ginger Golds grow well without much maintenance, but various types of protection will help them thrive.
Training fruit trees against walls, also known as espalier training, is an effective way of managing fruit production while decorating and adding interest to your garden. Espalier training a pear tree results in larger, sweeter fruit, makes the most of sunlight and allows you to better protect the tree from pests. Creating a Y-fan is the simplest way to train a pear tree to a wall.
Cacti belong to a larger group of plants known as succulents. These plants often are native to areas where there is severe drought, so they have thick leaves and stems to store extra water. Cactus spines are a means of protecting that stored water. The Peruvian apple cactus is known for its spectacular flowers and its edible fruit.
Native to Asia, pomegranates (Punica granatum) are one of the oldest cultivated fruits. They were grown in the ancient world in India, Egypt and the Middle East. Pomegranates naturally grow in shrubs about 12 feet tall, but they can also be trained into trees with single or multiple trunks. Some varieties are hardy to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Pomegranates make attractive ornamental plants in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 14. They prefer cool winters and hot, dry summers.
