Growing Fruit? Here’s What to Look For
Fruit trees are great for a ton of reasons. They add a splash of personality to your yard, and they produce delicious, natural food that you can enjoy. In order for fruit trees to thrive, you’ll need to take proper care of them, though.
Growing fruit trees for the first time? Need a refresher on how to help caring for fruit trees grow tall and produce juicy, healthy food? Read below for basic recommendations on how to care for fruit trees.
Fruit Trees: How (and Why) They Work
The reason that some trees produce fruit is to encourage seed dispersal. In other words, it’s a built-in survival mechanism for each tree species. Since fruit is edible – or, in its early stages, appears edible to animals – it is consumed, and its seeds are dispersed throughout the ground via the animals’ feces. Then, more trees are able to grow.
READ MORE: How to Prepare Trees For Summer
What Kinds of Fruit Can Grow on Trees?
There are dozens and fruits that can grow on trees, but the most popular tend to be apples, oranges, mangoes, lemons, pears, apricots, coconuts, plums, cherries, and peaches.
Some less-than-common fruits can grow on trees as well, like guava, jackfruit, and durian.
Steps to Take Care of Fruit Trees
In order to ensure that your trees grow tall and healthy and that they produce fruit that ripens easily without an abundance of rotten spots, consider the steps below.
Pruning
Best time to prune apple trees in Ontario. Pruning essentially means trimming branches, and you’ll need ‘pruners’ (or similar trimming tools) as well as a ladder and safety gear to complete this step.
First, cut off any branches that grow straight up into the air – cut these from the base, as they grow quickly and limit fruit production.
Then, cut off diseased or dead tree branches, as these can spread pests and diseases to nearby branches and trees.
Next, cut branches that are twisted, as these prevent proper airflow to fruit.
Finally, trim your tree to the shape and size you prefer. Remember, you’ll be picking the fruit manually, so you’ll want branches that create a simple experience for you and make it easy to reach your fruit.
Irrigation
Irrigation is another word for watering. Like plants, herbs, and other trees, fruit tree care needs watering to help fruit grow and ensure that it is edible and juicy.
In many regions, tree growers prefer to use a ‘drip irrigation’ system. That means that the water is dispersed in the right areas automatically. Since each tree type differs in what water-based needs it has, research your particular type of tree and determine whether automatic watering or manual watering is the right move. Your region and its amount of rainfall also play a role.
Mulching
For your fruit tree to maintain healthy growth, you’ll need to choose the right mulch. This product stops roots from growing out of bare soil, and it retains moisture – this is a must to produce juicy, flavourful fruit.
Research the needs of your fruit tree type and determine which type of mulch is recommended.
Fertilizing
Any tree needs fertilizer to ensure that it gets all the nutrients it needs. For fruit trees, this is particularly important, as it affects the fruit’s structure, taste, and ability to be eaten.
Fortunately, fertilizing is a low-maintenance process, as it’s only required once or twice a year.
Checking For Pests
Moreso than other trees, how to look after fruit trees attracts pests due to the food they bear. They can eat all of the fruit before it grows, or consume them partially, causing rot. They can even cause damage and disease in your trees. For that reason, you must regularly search your trees for pests.
Which Fruit Trees Are the Easiest To Take Care of?
If you’re a beginner hoping to grow your first successful fruit tree, we recommend something with low maintenance that has a high chance of success. Typically, beginners find that pear, apple, and fig trees are the easiest fruit trees to grow in Ontario to work with – but you may challenge yourself to try something harder if you wish.
How Do I Know When Fruit is Safe to Eat?
The specific answer to this question will depend on what kind of fruit you are growing. However, there are general strategies you can use to determine whether the fruit is ripe. You should consider the color, size, and taste of the fruit to decide whether or not it is ready to eat.
READ MORE: The Top Reasons For Tree Removal
Seasonal Fruit Tree Care Tips for Spring and Summer
As temperatures rise in Ottawa, spring and early summer become key times for nurturing fruits on trees. This is while trees start to bloom, and your efforts in watering, fertilizing, and pruning will directly affect fruit quality.
Spring is a good time for mulching and checking your irrigation system. Keep your tree’s base clear of weeds and always look at and inspect young fruits for signs of pests or diseases. Remember, fruit tree care maintenance all through this period leads to healthier harvests and stronger growth.
In early spring, apply a slow-release fertilizer suited for your specific tree type to give it the nutrients it needs as the growing season starts. Make sure to prune away any dead or broken branches to encourage better airflow and sunlight exposure. This not only improves the tree’s structure but also boosts the health of growing fruits.
As summer begins, shift your focus to consistent watering. Fruit trees require deep watering, especially for the duration of hot and dry spells. Use a drip irrigation gadget if possible, as it delivers moisture at once to the roots without water waste. Mulch needs to be refreshed to maintain the soil moist and cool—this helps fruits grow large and more flavourful.
Don’t forget to thin your fruit if your tree is producing too much. While it might seem counterintuitive, removing excess fruit ensures that the remaining ones grow larger and ripen evenly. Regular inspections for pests like aphids or fruit flies are also crucial at some point in this process. Catching problems early can save your tree from stress and protect your crop.
By giving your trees the right attention in spring and summer, you’re setting the stage for strong, efficient trees and delicious, homegrown fruits on the tree later in the season.
Conclusion
Fruit trees are a great way to add some color to your yard and feed yourself. For all of your tree-related questions, contact Green Thumb Tree Specialists today.
We take pride in offering our professional Tree Care services in Ottawa. Feel free to reach out to Green Thumb Tree Specialist for any of the following Tree Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
How to take care of fruit trees?
Taking care of fruit trees includes regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, and checking for pests. Proper fruit tree care maintenance helps trees live healthily and produce more fruit. Water deeply, mulch the base, prune for airflow and shape, and use fertilizer a couple of times a year to support strong growth and sweet, juicy fruits on trees.
How to take care of apple trees?
Apple trees need full sun, well-drained soil, and constant care. Prune them annually in early spring, water during dry spells, and apply mulch to maintain moisture. Fertilize in early spring before new growth appears. Apple trees also benefit from regular checks for pests like aphids and codling moths as part of routine fruit tree care maintenance.
How to prune apple trees in Ontario?
In Ontario, the ideal time to prune apple trees is late winter to early spring, before the buds swell but after the coldest weather has passed. Start with the aid of doing away with useless, damaged, or vertical branches to allow more light and air into the canopy. This improves fruit quality and encourages strong, healthy fruits on trees. Always use clean, sharp equipment for precise cuts.
When to fertilize fruit trees in Ontario?
Fertilize fruit trees in Ontario in early spring, simply before new growth starts, and again in mid-summer if desired. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer suited for fruit trees. Timing is key—fertilizing too late in the season can stimulate new growth that’s liable to winter damage. Regular feeding is essential for long-term fruit tree maintenance and better harvests.