No Bad APPLES

A quick overview of a few fruit trees compatible with Missouri’s climate

By Moe Godat

Apples

Apple trees are among the easiest fruitbearing trees to grow in Missouri! Adaptable and hardy, apple trees produce best in full-sun and with proper care can produce fruit for 25 years or more with yields ranging from five to ten bushels of fruit per mature tree. Please note that to grow this fruit successfully, you’ll need more than one tree for proper pollination. Having several cultivars with the same flowering times works best, as harvest seasons can range from early to late summer and fall depending on the type.

I t’s important to remain aware of the many pests and diseases that can affect apple trees; while some cultivars have certain disease resistances, each cultivar is susceptible to its own array of problems. When purchasing an apple tree for your home, remember to thoroughly research the types of pests and diseases common to that cultivar in order to properly administer pesticides, especially during the growing season.

Apples

Pristine Apples

Color: yellow with red blush

Ripening time: early

Gala Apples

Color: red-orange

Ripening time: mid-season

Golden Delicious

Color: yellow

Ripening time: late

Pears

Moonglow Pears

Color: yellow

Ripening time: early

Seckel

Color: yellow-brown

Ripening time: mid-season

Kieffer

Color: yellow-green

Ripening time: late

Pears

Another popular fruit tree in Missouri, pears tend to be more difficult to grow than apples because of a high susceptibility to bacterial diseases such as fireblight. However, there are many types of blightresistant cultivars. Paired with careful pruning, fertilizing and spraying, pears are possible to grow in Missouri’s climate.

Much like apple trees, pear trees have a long life and can produce fruit for over 25 years if properly cared for. With a later harvesting time, you can expect to harvest pears from mid-to-late summer well into fall, usually around October. Again, you should plant more than one pear tree, preferably with a different, compatible cultivar to receive fruit.

Stone Fruits

I t’s important to do your research before planting a stone fruit tree, as they are often affected by late spring frosts and crop loss due to cold in the winter (though you shouldn’t worry unless it drops below 0 degrees). Stone fruits include peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and apricots, though sweet cherries and apricots bloom so early in the season, they often won’t thrive in Missouri’s temperamental climate.

When considering buying and planting a stone fruit tree, there are several key factors to take into account. First is the planting site’s drainage and soil, as stone fruits are very sensitive to poor water drainage and heavy or shallow soil. One way to help with this is berming; a berm is a slightly mounded row. Like other fruit trees, they need careful care against pests and diseases; out of all varieties, sour cherries are typically the most disease resistant of the group.

Stone Fruits

Ripening Times

June: cherries

July/August: peaches, nectarines, plums

Fruit Bearing Age

2-3 years: peaches, nectarines

3-5 years: plums, cherries