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Fruit Trees in Midwest USA

Written by Peter Horn on .

Fruit Trees in Midwest USA Nothing could be more delicious than the fruits you have grown in your own backyard. Especially if you are living in Midwest USA, there are many fruit trees that you can plant. If you are thinking that planting fruit trees in Midwest USA is going to be hectic or very laborious, then you might be wrong. Yeah, it needs some technicalities to choose and plant fruit trees but believes me, it’s not that difficult that you are not taking action. You just have to choose the fruit trees according to your climate because choosing the right fruit trees according to your climate is the key to your success. Not every type of Fruit tree can grow in Midwest due to its cold climate. Fruit trees not only give you production but also add an artistic and ornamental effect to your garden. So, let’s take a look at the climate of the Midwest USA and the types of trees that can be grown there. The climate of Midwest USA: Most of the Midwest USA has a very cold climate. In winter, the temperature can go down up to -10 degrees F. It has a short growing season; therefore, not every type of tree can survive there due to the chilled climate. So choose those fruit trees that can withstand the harsh and cold climate of the Midwest USA and also give you much fruit production. It is best to choose the varieties that are diseases resistant also. It is advised to plant fruit trees in early spring between late March to April. Tips to Grow Fruit Trees:
  • Choose a location that receives a minimum of eight hours of full sunlight each day because fruit trees need that to survive and produce.
  • Be sure that the height is not limited by any structure such as buildings, bridges, or any other tree. It will restrict the trees from reaching their maximum height.
  • Choose the trees according to your climate, therefore know your regional climate first, and then decided the fruit trees to plant.
  • Prepare your soil and dig the hole in it before bringing the plant from the nursery.
  • Fruit trees can be of three types depending upon their sizes upon maturing:
    • Dwarf:They grow up to 8-10 ft and are less productive.
    • Semi-Dwarf:They can grow up to 10-15 ft and give more production than dwarf trees.
    • Standard:Their height can reach up to 20 ft and even more and are the most productive ones.
  • Search that if your trees are self-pollinating or not. In this case, if your trees are cross-pollinating, you will need two same types of trees to get fruits.
  • For most fruit trees, moist and well-drained soil is best.
  • Choose diseases and insect-resistant varieties so that you don’t have to spend much money on sprays.
Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Midwest USA: As discussed earlier, not every type of fruit can be grown in Midwest USA due to its cold climate. So here is the list of the best fruit trees that can be planted in the Midwest USA.
  1. Peaches:
Having a unique sweet taste, peach is the ultimate stone fruit to plant in Midwest USA. It needs winter coldness to make its spring followed by flower formation and then fruit production. Just like nectarine trees, peach trees require space to open their central canopy and grow very vigorously. Therefore pruning should be done annually. There are many peach varieties that are grown in the USA, but not all those varieties can be grown in Midwest. They can not survive its harsh old weather. The peach varieties that can be grown are Reliance, Golden Jubilee, and hale-haven. Peach trees are susceptible to brown rot; therefore, fungicide spray is recommended upon its attack.
  1. Apples:
Apple tree is one of those fruit trees that grow very well in most regions of the USA, including the cold climate of Midwest USA. They are sun-loving trees and are planted in spring. They prefer full sun and well-drained moist soil. They bloom in spring, and fruit production starts in the summer season. Most of its cultivars can withstand the cold climate of the Midwest. Among 6000 varieties of Apple, the varieties that grow best in Midwest are Early Harvest, Red Delicious, Jonathan, and Lodi. These varieties not only give you production but also add an ornamental look to your garden; pruning needs to be done to maintain canopy size and a good look.
  1. Apricots:
Belonging to the Rosaceae family, the Apricot is another stone fruit that satisfies our taste buds. It belongs to the same family to which apple and pear belong. It is one of the best fruit trees to grow in the Midwest US. It grows very large comparatively and needs full sunlight, well-drained, and moist soil with a good amount of nutrients. The apricot tree blooms in early spring. Some of the apricot varieties are not self-pollinated; therefore need another tree to produce fruits. Early Golden and Moorpark are the varieties that grow best in the Midwest and give good production in the harsh conditions of the Midwest.
  1. Pears:
Pear trees belong to the family of Apple, and like apple trees, they can withstand long terms of the cold temperature of the Midwest US. Pear trees are planted from spring to summer. They require full sunlight, well-drained, and moist soil. Blossoms are formed in spring, and then fruit production starts. Fruit get ripened in summer and are ready to be picked. European pears are preferred over Asian pears due to their classic pear shape and ability to withstand cold conditions more than Asian pears. Varieties that grow best and give prolific fruit production in Midwest are Kiefer, Barlett, and Orient.
  1. Cherries:
They are not only tasty but also very attractive due to their lush dark red color. They add a perfect artistic look to your backyard also. Their unique taste will surely compel you to plant your own cherry tree. They need winter temperature to start blooming and fruit development. Cherry trees an ideal fruit tree choice to grow in Midwest USA because they not only prefer a cold environment but also favor mild summer. Black Tartarian, Yoshino. Early Richmond and Montmorency are the best varieties to grow in Midwest. Conclusion: According to the cold climate of the Midwest US, Apple, Apricot, Peaches, Pears, and Cherries are the best fruit trees that can be grown. You only need a little bit of care to get a good production. So what are you waiting for now! Go and fill your garden spaces with fruit trees.