Planting fruit trees - Ask Extension
Hello,
I want to know how close I am able to plant dwarf/semi-dwarf fruit trees near my house and near each other. I plan to plant 2-4 small trees on...
Knowledgebase
Planting fruit trees #806027
Asked August 12, 2022, 11:06 PM EDT
Hello,
I want to know how close I am able to plant dwarf/semi-dwarf fruit trees near my house and near each other. I plan to plant 2-4 small trees on the south side of my house and a few I'my backyard as needed for pollination. The available space on the south side of my house is around 36' x 17'. I also want to ask if the varieties I am interested in would be successful choices in my zone (4b Maple Grove). I want 2-3 apple trees, (some combination of any of the following: Haralson/Honey crisp/sweet sixteen/Triumph/frostbite) and either 2 plum trees (mount royal/toka/pipestone), or 2 pear trees (summer crisp and patten). I also want to ask if a Polly peach tree would be successful in Minnesota. Any companion trees required for pollination can go in my backyard. I have included a few pictures including dimensions of the available space near my house. Thank you for any help you are able to provide.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Following are planting distance guidelines for fruit trees:
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/spacing/
Allow at least five feet between the house wall and closest fruit tree branches. This distance will permit good air circulation and space needed to care for the trees--pruning, pest/disease control, fruit harvest, etc.
You will need two apple trees to ensure pollination unless other apple trees, including ornamental crabapples, are already growing somewhere nearby--ideally within 100 feet.
Bloom time for the apple varieties you mentioned are: Haralson-mid-season; Sweet 16-late-season; Triumph-mid-season; Frostbite-mid to late-season.
Haralson/Triumph or Sweet 16/Frostbite would be good pairings.
All of these varieties should perform well in your hardiness zone.
Toka and Pipestone plums pair well for pollination. Mount Royal is self fertile and does not need to be paired for pollination. Also, Mount Royal will not serve as a pollinator for Toka or Pipestone.
Most pear trees also require a pollination partner. Summercrisp can be paired with Patten.
Although Polly Peach is often rated hardy to Zone 4, peaches whatever the variety, usually do not fare well in Minnesota over the long haul. Some grow well and produce good crops for a while only to succumb. If you grow Polly Peach or any other peach variety, do it on an experimental basis.
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/spacing/
Allow at least five feet between the house wall and closest fruit tree branches. This distance will permit good air circulation and space needed to care for the trees--pruning, pest/disease control, fruit harvest, etc.
You will need two apple trees to ensure pollination unless other apple trees, including ornamental crabapples, are already growing somewhere nearby--ideally within 100 feet.
Bloom time for the apple varieties you mentioned are: Haralson-mid-season; Sweet 16-late-season; Triumph-mid-season; Frostbite-mid to late-season.
Haralson/Triumph or Sweet 16/Frostbite would be good pairings.
All of these varieties should perform well in your hardiness zone.
Toka and Pipestone plums pair well for pollination. Mount Royal is self fertile and does not need to be paired for pollination. Also, Mount Royal will not serve as a pollinator for Toka or Pipestone.
Most pear trees also require a pollination partner. Summercrisp can be paired with Patten.
Although Polly Peach is often rated hardy to Zone 4, peaches whatever the variety, usually do not fare well in Minnesota over the long haul. Some grow well and produce good crops for a while only to succumb. If you grow Polly Peach or any other peach variety, do it on an experimental basis.
