Rating Fruit Trees From Best To Worst

Summary

In this video, a backyard gardener in Central Florida ranks 19 fruit trees from worst to best, sharing insights on climate suitability, disease resistance, and maintenance needs. Trees like pomegranates and citrus are ranked lower due to humidity issues and disease susceptibility, while resilient and productive varieties like mulberries, jaboticaba, and elderberries top the list. The gardener discusses personal experiences with figs, loquats, peaches, and more, highlighting flavor, growth habits, and ease of care. Viewers gain practical tips for selecting, planting, and maintaining fruit trees in small gardens, making it an informative guide for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Takeaways

• 🍎 The pomegranate performs poorly in Florida’s humid climate and is not recommended due to fruit splitting and rot.
• 🥑 Cado 2.0 avocado is cold-hardy but temperamental in Central and North Florida; produces well only in optimal conditions.
• 🍊 Citrus trees, like Sugar Bell mandarin and Meyer lemon, require careful management to combat citrus greening disease and need experienced care.
• 🍑 Plum trees (Gulf series) are delicious but require two trees for pollination, making them challenging in small spaces.
• 🌿 Fig trees are easy to grow, adaptable to containers, and produce tasty fruit, though they are less versatile than other fruits.
• 🍈 Loquats are easy to grow, cold- and heat-tolerant, citrus-flavored, and one of the first fruits to harvest in the year.
• 🍑 Tropic Beauty peach trees produce outstanding flavor but require regular pruning and maintenance.
• 🌱 Elderberry trees are easy to grow, native-friendly, medicinal, and resilient, but their fruit must be cooked before consumption and they grow aggressively.
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• 🍇 Jaboticaba (Brazilian tree grape) is versatile, hardy, produces unique sweet-sour fruit, and can grow in ground or containers.
• 🌳 Mulberries, especially dwarf varieties, are fast-fruiting, low-maintenance, versatile for cooking and preserves, and highly productive year after year.
• 📚 The speaker emphasizes climate adaptability, disease resistance, maintenance requirements, and fruit versatility as key factors for choosing backyard fruit trees in Florida.

Q & A

Why did the speaker choose to plant the pomegranate tree in a shady spot?

The speaker admitted that planting the pomegranate tree in a shady spot was partially their fault, leading to the tree's poor performance. Pomegranates thrive in dry climates with plenty of sun, and the lack of sunlight in this location likely contributed to its poor fruiting and rotting fruit.

What issue does the speaker face with their avocado tree in Central Florida?

The speaker's avocado tree struggles with the cold temperatures typical of Central Florida. Although the tree is cold-hardy, it only fruits every other year, particularly after an exceptionally cold winter. The speaker suggests that avocado trees in South Florida fare much better, as the conditions are more favorable there.

What is the main challenge with growing citrus trees in Florida?

The main challenge with growing citrus trees in Florida is citrus greening disease, which is spread by the Asian psyllid. Despite using resistant varieties like the Sugar Bell Mandarin, the speaker still struggles with the disease, which affects the trees' long-term health and fruit production.

Why is the plum tree rated low on the list?

The plum tree is rated low because it requires two trees for pollination, which is a challenge for the speaker's limited space. Additionally, the two types of plums the speaker grows—Gulf Beauty and Gulf Rose—are not as productive as hoped, leading to difficulties in managing their growth.

How does the fig tree perform in the speaker's garden?

The fig tree has been very successful for the speaker. It was grown from a cutting and has thrived in a pot. The speaker finds figs to be a delicious but less versatile fruit compared to others like strawberries or peaches. It is easy to grow, although pruning is necessary to keep it under control.

What is special about loquats in Florida?

Loquats are highly favored by the speaker because they are an excellent citrus alternative. They have a citrusy flavor and are hardy enough to withstand both cold and hot temperatures. Additionally, loquats fruit in winter, providing an early harvest for the garden.

Why is Peachy the peach tree rated highly despite being high-maintenance?

Peachy the peach tree is highly rated because it produces excellent peaches with outstanding flavor, despite being somewhat high-maintenance. The tree requires pruning and regular feeding, but it yields great results, making it worth the effort.

What makes elderberry a great plant to grow in Florida?

Elderberry is great for Florida due to its adaptability to the local climate and soil. As a native plant, it thrives in the sandy soil and heat. It also provides medicinal benefits, making it a valuable plant to grow, despite being somewhat aggressive in its growth.

What makes the jaboticaba tree unique and why is it ranked so high?

The jaboticaba tree is unique because it produces fruit directly on its trunk, which is uncommon in fruit trees. It is hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable to various growing conditions, including heat, shade, and poor soil. The fruit itself has a grape-like flavor with a sweet and sour taste, contributing to its high rank.

What are the main advantages of mulberry trees in the garden?

Mulberry trees are highly favored due to their early fruiting, multiple harvests per year, and minimal care requirements. They can be kept small with dwarf varieties, are productive without pests or diseases, and are incredibly versatile, allowing the speaker to make jams, jellies, and even Kool-Aid from the fruit.