When it comes to bountiful fruit trees, your mind may automatically go to southern states where the climate is warmer, but there are many fruit trees in Washington State too. Of course, there are actual farms and orchards that you can visit to enjoy these fruit trees, but you can successfully grow them in your own front- or backyard too.
Adding fruit trees to your home is a great idea for a variety of reasons. Not only do trees themselves add beauty and value to your property, but fruit trees can also add some food for your family, saving you a bit of money. Of course, it’s important to choose the type of fruit trees that work best in Washington State.
Here are five favorite fruit trees in Washington State that you can plant in your yard:
1. Apple Trees
Did you know that Washington State produces over half of the nation’s apples? What better type of fruit tree to grow in your Washington yard? Additionally, they grow best in different weather conditions, having a drastic effect on when the tree will blossom. This means that two apple trees, even when grown in the same location, can blossom two or more weeks apart based on whether they have different growing conditions. This can provide your yard with weeks of beauty.
Apple trees should be planted in an area that receives six hours of full sunlight each day. They’re also able to thrive in moderate-quality soil, but the soil does need to drain properly. There are around 50 different species of apple trees and each one will have its own specific growing conditions, so be sure to do some research before planting.
One thing all species have in common (minus the apples, of course) is that they bloom sweet-smelling flowers around April.
The best varieties to grow are red delicious, gala, golden delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, pink lady, and honey crisp.
2. Cherry Trees
Cherry trees are another great choice of fruit trees to plant in your yard, especially as they can be eaten directly off the branch. Plus, cherry trees will give your property a splash of color. The flowers bloom on these trees during the springtime and are in bloom for a few weeks.
They are actually good starter trees since they are low maintenance and easy to care for. Most cherry trees average a height of about 20 to 35 feet, but their size does vary, and they can be as small as 8 feet tall to as tall as 80 feet. They should be planted in light soil, meaning the soil should not be sandy, heavy, clay, or compact. Additionally, the soil should be fertile and well-drained. Cherry trees need to be planted in an area that gets full sun.
The best types of cherry to grow in Washington are Bing, Lapins, Rainier, Stella, and Montmorency.
3. Pear Trees
Not only do pear trees grow in Washington State but they grow well in wet soil, making this fruit tree a great choice if you are located near the coast or in a wetland area. During the winter months, pear trees are dormant. Swollen buds will then start to grow toward the end of the winter season, with green buds opening during the spring and turning into flowers.
Pear trees tend to reach heights of about 40 feet tall. They should not be planted in an area that gets shade at all, as they need full and direct sun to grow at their healthiest.
The best varieties of pear to grow are Warren, Comice, Bartlett, D’Anjou, Hosui, 20th Century, and Shinseiki.
4. Peach Trees
Peach trees bloom during the springtime months, but they don’t ripen or produce fruit until the early summer months through the fall. For instance, the fruit on the Elberta peach variety doesn’t even ripen until late July to early August. This species is also one of the most popular peach trees to grow in your yard.
Peach trees tend to grow up to 25 feet tall. There are dwarf varieties that are only around 6 feet high. They should be planted in soil that is sandy, loamy, and fertile. They can even do okay in soil that contains some clay. The area should get direct sun and not be shaded by any buildings or trees.
The best types to grow are Elberta (as mentioned above) and Suncrest yellow.
5. Plum Trees
When it comes to choosing a plum tree for your Washington State yard, choosing European plum will be your best bet, as they are much hardier when it comes to enduring colder weather, as compared to other plum trees. European plum trees tend to grow to around 25 feet tall, while most other plum trees reach around 16 feet at maturity.
Plum trees should be planted in an area that is in full sun. The area should also be well-drained, but the soil can be versatile as plum trees can grow well in acidic to neutral soil.
The best varieties to grow are Santa Rosa plum and Methley plum.
As you can see, there are a lot of great options for fruit trees to grow in your Washington State yard. All of the above trees are great choices. To help make your decision, look at the growing conditions in your yard, such as the amount of sunlight and the soil type, and see which of the above-mentioned trees will grow well there.
If you already have a fruit-bearing tree in your yard, or if you are just thinking ahead as to what comes after planting, here are some great tips to help you care for your new fruit trees in Washington State. These tips will help you to make sure your trees not only thrive but produce plenty of fruit that you and your family can enjoy.
If you are worried about this type of maintenance or would like help with planting your new tree, please do not hesitate to call us here at Mr. Tree to come help.
