Fruit and Nut Trees – Fruit Bearing Plants

Apple tree, Malus domestica, is the most common and recognizable fruit-bearing tree. Worldwide, 7500 varieties of apples are grown. Api or Christmas Apple is one of the oldest varieties in existence. Humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.

Baobab, Adansonia digitata, is the largest succulent fruit tree in the world.

Coco de mer, Lodoicea maldivica, is the world’s largest seed. "A single seed may be 30cm long, 90cm in circumference and weigh 20kg". The Coco de Mer fruit is a drupe.

Coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, botanically speaking is not a tree, since there is no bark, no branches, or secondary growth. A coconut palm is a woody perennial monocotyledon with the trunk being the stem. Additionally, the coconut is a fibrous one-seeded drupe not a nut.

Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus, produces the largest tree-borne fruit. It reaches as much as 36 kg in weight and up to 90 cm long and 50 cm in diameter.

Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba, is the most cold hardy nut tree. -50 °C (-58 °F). It is known as a 'living fossil', since it is the sole survivor of an ancient group of trees that date back to beyond the time of the dinosaurs.

Peach, Prunus persica, was once known as the Persian apple.

Satsuma Citrus reticulate, is the list cold hardy citrus tree. -10°C (14 °F).

Trifoliate orange, Poncirus trifoliata, is the coldest hardy citrus tree. -30 °C (-22 °F).

Fruit and nut trees are special and unlike vegetables they will produce for a lot of years with a better return on effort than anything else in the garden.

In addition to fruit and nut production these trees can be value for shade, timber and as a support for climbing plants. Their crops are good sources of vitamins, minerals, fats and protein and make perfect snacks for kids.

While the planting location of a tree is highly important for a successful production of fruit and nuts, when selecting a fruit tree or a nut tree from your local nursery, some additional factors you should consider are:

* tree shape and size
* taste, texture and use of fruit
* time of harvest season
* disease and pest resistance.

Multi-Grafted trees are an alternative for small gardens where space is limited and several types of fruit are desired.

Growing Fruit and Nut Trees at Home is a Great Introduction to Productive and Sustainable Gardening and a Wonderful Way to Get Children Interested in Plants and Nature.

The Key to Successful Fruit and Nut Production is the Provision of a Beneficial Environment for the Trees that Bear them.

A Sustainable Garden with Fruit Trees, Nut Trees and Other Fruit Bearing Plants is a Fulfilling, Meaningful and Worthy Undertaking.