Question
We purchased a home within the last year and we would like to plant fruit trees. We have a fairly large backyard with sun for about 3/4's of the day and a medium sized front yard with full sun. My biggest question is that we get lots of wind late spring through early summer. Where is the best placement for the fruit trees and how can we best protect the blooms from the high winds? Thanks so much.
Michelle
San Rafael
Answer
Fruit trees do best with full sun. It sounds like your yards have optimum light. As for the wind, they are not as detrimental to the blossoms as you may think. Pollen at least is blown from one flower to another if not many bees are out working. Rain during flowering is far worse as the bees do not come out and the flower is pelted to the ground. You will want to stake the trees when you plant them. Orient the stakes in the direction of the prevailing winds. Position the tree so that the bud graft (the crook at the bottom) is positioned away from afternoon sun. The worst wind can do is dry out the foliage. A water stressed tree is more likely to shed young fruit so water new fruit trees deeply at least twice a month during windy times.
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