Going apple picking with friends and family during autumn is a favorite pastime for many people. Picking your own fresh and healthy fruit is rewarding and fun. Have you considered planting fruit trees in your yard so that you can experience the same apple orchard fun at home?
Many people don’t realize that they can grow fruit-bearing trees on their property or assume that the climate they live in wouldn’t be conducive to growing fruit trees. However, many different fruit trees can thrive in all sorts of environments. Could a fruit tree be the missing piece to your unique garden landscaping design? Keep reading to learn what kinds of fruit trees thrive in your climate and five exciting benefits they offer.
What Fruit Trees Are Compatible With Your Climate?
Just like how certain animals prefer specific climates, fruit, vegetables, and other crops also require specific growing environments. Some fruit trees thrive in warm climates, while others can withstand cold temperatures. It is essential to choose an appropriate fruit tree for your climate so that you can reap as many benefits as possible. Many companies won’t even sell fruit trees to regions outside of recommended zones.
If you live in a northern region in the northern hemisphere, southern region in the southern hemisphere, or mountainous region, you can likely plant trees that bear:
- Apples
- Cane berries
- Cherries
- Currants
- Pears
- Stone fruits
If you live in a warmer region where temperatures don’t drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, you can grow:
- Citrus fruits (Oranges, lemons, limes, etc.)
- Avocados
- Figs
- Guavas
- Mulberries
- Olives
- Pomegranates
The Advantages of Planting Fruit-Bearing Trees
Now that you have an idea of the kinds of fruit trees that are compatible with your climate, let’s dive into the benefits of fruit trees. People who own fruit-bearing trees on their property are almost always happy with their choice. There are many advantages of fruit trees, but we’ve narrowed it down to our top five.
1. Healthy Food Supply
It’s no secret that fresh produce at the grocery store is often costly, especially organic options. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to have a healthy and well-balanced diet but not being able to afford much fresh fruit. When you plant a fruit tree in your yard, you get an ample supply of delicious fruit for free! Your tree might end up producing more fruit than you can eat, in which case you can use the fruit to make:
- Jams
- Pies
- Applesauce
- Smoothies
- Salad dressing
- Fruit bread
- Popsicles
Not only is fruit on your own property free, but it’s also healthier! The longer a fruit is detached from its plant, the more nutrients it loses. Fruit at the grocery store is also sprayed with preservatives and waxes to extend its shelf life. The key to eating the healthiest fruit possible is to pick it directly from the source. Additionally, when you grow your own fruit, you can purposely use natural and organic pest control products to avoid unnecessary chemicals.
2. Increase Your Property Value
Did you know you can increase your property’s selling value by simply planting fruit trees? That’s right; since fruit trees are so desirable to homeowners, prospective buyers are willing to pay more for a property with fruit-bearing trees. Beyond the delicious fruit, fruit trees also add aesthetic value and provide shade. Significant shade from trees can help keep your home cool in summer, reducing energy costs from air conditioning.
Since fruit trees are relatively simple to care for, prospective buyers won’t be scared off by landscaping responsibilities. If you envision selling your home down the line, it could be incredibly valuable to plant a fruit tree now. You can even incorporate fruit trees into other landscaping that defines your property line.
3. Help the Environment
If you are passionate about helping the environment, planting fruit trees will be right up your alley. Trees absorb CO2 emissions from the atmosphere and transform the air into clean oxygen. So, the more trees that get planted, the cleaner our atmosphere gets.
Beyond converting CO2 emissions, planting your own fruit trees also helps reduce other greenhouse gas emissions. Think about it: when fruit gets shipped from around the country and even the world, an extreme amount of fuel from trucks and airplanes gets burned up. Planting a fruit-bearing tree on your property is one small way to reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Feed and Protect Animals and Pollinators
Fruit trees don’t just feed your family; they feed the wildlife in your neighborhood as well! And since fruit trees typically produce hundreds of fruits in a year, you’ll have plenty to share with animals. Additionally, trees offer shelter and protection for animals like:
- Insects
- Birds
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Rabbits
You can even add a bird feeder, birdbath, or pond near your fruit tree to increase the appeal for wildlife. A healthy ecosystem in your yard will help keep animals safe and protected.
In spring and summer, your fruit tree will bloom with beautiful and fragrant flowers. When this occurs, pollinators like butterflies and bees will benefit from the pollen. Bees have been threatened as a species due to the overuse of chemical pesticides. This endangerment is unfortunate because our ecosystem is largely dependent on bees to function. One way you can help save the bees is to plant a bee-friendly garden in which fruit trees are included.
5. Enjoy Beautiful Sights and Smells
The final benefit of fruit trees is a beautified yard. The very presence of fruit trees offers stunning views, calming scents, and tranquil sounds. When you spend time in nature with your family, everyone feels calmer and more refreshed. You can even bond with your family by creating a tradition to pick the fruit off your tree and make delicious recipes together each year.
Experience the Benefits of Fruit Trees for Yourself
Fruit trees don’t only benefit you; they benefit your local ecosystem and the environment at large. If you’re interested in saving money, eating healthier, increasing your property value, and helping the environment, then a fruit tree may be the perfect addition to your landscaping design.
Fruit trees are more accessible than you may think. If you want an expert opinion about planting fruit trees in your yard, contact Architectural Landscape Design today. We will help you design the yard of your dreams, fruit trees included.