Everybody loves the fresh flavor of sun-warmed fruits or nuts picked straight from the garden. It is not only healthy, but also the joy that comes with munching on something you have grown with your own hands is just inexpressible.
Many fruits and nuts do well in Austin. But to ‘enjoy the fruits of your labor’, you must select the varieties that are best suited for this area. See the list below for some of the best fruit trees for Austin Texas.
5 Best Fruit Trees For Austin Texas
If you are planning on introducing fruit or nut trees in your Austin property, you may want to know, “What fruit trees grow well in Austin TX?” Well, the best fruit and nut trees for Austin Texas include:
1. Plums
There are many plum varieties that do well in Austin but Santa Rosa and Methley seem to flourish the best. Methley is well suited for many climates across Texas. It bears small to medium-sized reddish-purple fruits that ripen toward the end of spring. Santa Rosa bears large, reddish-purple plums that ripen toward the end of June. Though these plum varieties are self-pollinated, they have been found to yield more fruits if cross-pollinated with Japanese plums.
While plums are some of the best trees to grow in Austin for fruit, they are prone to the same diseases as other fruit trees are. You, therefore, need to have a standby tree service Austin company for regular care and maintenance.
2. Apples
Not many apple varieties will thrive in Texas because the winters are relatively mild. For Austin residents, experts recommend the Red Delicious, Holland, Golden Delicious, Mollie’s Delicious, JerseyMac, Gala, Granny Smith, and Fuji varieties.
The Granny Smith does especially well in North Central Texas, but experts recommend planting the spur mutation to prevent sunburn on the fruit. Like plums, apples require cross-pollination with a different variety to produce more fruit.
3. Peaches
Another fruit that will thrive in your Austin property is the peach. There are many varieties that grow in this Texas area, all with different ripening schedules. If you are looking for very early ripening peaches, go for the Harvester, Ranger, Sentinel, and Bicentennial varieties.
For mid-season ripening varieties, select the Belle of Georgia, Loring, Denman, Majestic, Redglobe, and Milam. Good late producers would be Redskin, Dixiland, and Jefferson and very late bloomers would include Ouachita Gold, Fayette, and Frank varieties. Plant Nemaguard and Lovell rootstock for acid clay soils and alkaline clay soils respectively. If you are not sure which peach varieties would grow in your area, consult a tree service Texas expert.
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4. Black Walnut Trees
The Black Walnut is one of the best nut trees for Austin Texas. It is a large tree with dark brown bark and given time and favorable conditions, it can grow up to 150 feet. Both male and female flowers appear on the same tree, with the male flowers located on the lower branches and the female on the lower branches. This arrangement usually prevents the pollen produced by the male flowers from dropping on the female flowers of the same tree, which encourages wind pollination.
Black Walnut tree has green foliage that turns yellow in autumn. The tree begins to produce nuts when it is 15 to 20 feet tall which ripen in October or November.
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5. Pecan Trees
Pecan trees are very similar to Black Walnuts in that they both are wind pollinated and produce delicious nuts. Also, like walnuts, pecans can take up to 20 years to yield their first fruits. But that may not bother homeowners too much, as the trees also provide them with a good amount of shade.
Related Posts: Shade Trees For Austin & Texas State Tree
The only reason why Austin residents may find pecan being a problem is that the tree often suffers from zinc deficiency, which means it requires a lot of nitrogen fertilizer. You should probably spray your tree with zinc sulfate every two to three weeks in early summer and in spring to make sure it is growing in a healthy way.
Related Posts: Pecan Tree Diseases & Types Of Pecans In Texas
Can You Grow Lemon Trees In Austin Texas?
Yes, you can grow lemon trees in Austin Texas. However, unlike other fruit trees that can be planted and thrive in the normal tree planting season (October through March), lemon trees should be planted toward the end of spring, when the weather has warmed up. Early April, to be specific, would be the perfect time to plant lemon trees in rich, well-lit and well-drained soil.
Tree Service Removal Overview
There are many fruit trees for Austin Texas, and picking the right one is the first step to ensuring a successful harvest. This list contains both fruit and nut bearers that are easy to plant, easy to maintain, and that do well in the various soil conditions of this area. Just remember to give your trees regular care to lower the chances of diseases and pest infestation.
