Ok, I am a tree hugger

[Sixpence]

I was thinking of planting a walnut and pecan tree(eastern ma. is in zone 6 and I hope a pecan can survive).

The question came to me, why do I not see people plant fruit and nut trees? I see one once and awhile, but not often. Is there a hidden problem with having a nut or fruit tree? I want to plant a cherry tree too.

[Yeager]

I find myself inspired to wit:

The Trees
=======
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced the're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"These oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.

[nirvana]

Because if you plant one tree, 50 more want to grow, that's true for most trees, some more then others.  I've been trying to convince my parents to plant some fruit trees for some time now to no avail, they want a weeping willow.  Not my house, not my choice.

Good luck with the walnuts and pecans!

[Mark Luper]

( Chorus )

Why do you whisper, green grass...
Why tell the trees that it's so...
Whispering grass don't tell the trees...
Cause the trees don't need to know...


Oh don't you tell it to the trees,
Cause they will tell the birds and bees,
And everyone will know...
Cause you told the blabby trees...
Oh you told them once before...
It's no secret,
Anymore...

        ( Chorus )



Sorry Sixpence, that old Ink Spots song just burbled up when I read your post.

Have fun with your trees. I would like a Cherry tree myself. Love working with the wood.

Mark

[Maverick]

Our second to last house had about 8 different citrus trees in the back yard. They were there when I bought the house so I didn't plan any of it. They were great for nice juicy red grapefruit and a TON of lemons. We couldn't use all the lemon juice and ended up freezing a few gallons to either use in fresh lemon pie or to give away.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Dont put the tree where the nuts will fall on the house or a car, unless you want to watch your insurance .......... ummm, go through the roof?  

Seriously, the reason people dont plant nut trees in their yards is because they dont like nuts falling on their heads, their cars, or their roof.  Not to mention you run over them with the lawnmower and they become instant missiles.  Great for putting a window out.  Also, nut trees attract squirrels, and I dont care how cute people think they are the little bastiges are just evil.  Make good stew though.  

As for fruit trees, same thing.  Cherries arent so bad, pretty blossoms too.  Watch out for the bees in the spring.  Cherries can make some neat little missiles from a lawnmower too, but wont do near the damage of a pecan or walnut.  Ever seen walnuts fall off the tree?  They get the size of baseballs and can weigh a pound.

[rpm]

The reason you don't see a lot of people do it is the same reason you don't see a lot of people grow gardens. They are a huge PITA to take care of. Fruit and nut trees require a LOT of attention or they will go fruitless or die.
Nut trees tend to be a bit tougher than fruit, but both are very susceptible to weather, disease and parasites.

[lambo31]

Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
 Also, nut trees attract squirrels, and I dont care how cute people think they are the little bastiges are just evil.  Make good stew though.  
 

this is hilarious SA2, thx.


Wife and I bought our current house with fruit trees and we love it. I highly recommend Fig trees, absolutely delicous.


Lambo

[Dago]

We had a cherry tree in the backyard where I grew up, it wasn't any work, and I loved the cherrys.  Made great pies.  Birds took care of the cherrys if we didnt bother with them.

[eagl]

Fruit and nut trees need a little bit of extra care to be productive.  They can also take a year or two before they produce anything.  With nut trees, it takes some experimentation to figure out how much water they need and what kind of soil they want to produce decent nuts, and then you have to figure out how to roast them...  It's more trouble than most people think it's worth.

My Dad has a macademia tree (I think that's what it is) and he puts a net over the tree to fend off critters and a net under the tree to collect the nuts so they don't fall on the ground.  He also has a couple of avocado trees.

I personally like orange trees... They are fairly easy to maintain and at least where I grew up in San Diego, they'd produce almost all year.  Very tasty if we gave it the right amount of water.  Too little, they were crummy.  Too much, and they'd burst on the tree before they were ripe.

Apple trees can be nice too but I think the whole pollination thing might be tougher with them, not sure though.  Check with the local plant nursery before buying to see what grows and produces in that area.

[Skuzzy]

I grew up with peach trees.  Thousands of peaches every year.  Thousands of rotten peaches on the ground every year.  Thousands of pits in the yard all yeilding more peach trees!!!  They woiuld not stop, they kept growing and growing and sprouting off of anything moist,...they took over the yard, the whole yard was a jungle of dead fruit, you could hear them laughing at you.  The stench would overcome you, make you dizzy,..there they are again.  I know they are preparing something diabolical.

I know they are coming!!!!  PROTECT YOURSELVES!!!!!

ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uh, dunt plant peach trees.

[storch]

we have some pretty old live oaks and laurel oaks on our and adjacent properties.  this time of the year they shed their leaves some times it's hard to see the road for the leaves.  plant a palm and attach a heating element until global warming makes taxachusetts habitable by reasonable humans and reasonable trees.  you'll be glad you did.

[eagl]

mmmm... fermented peaches....  You get lots of drunk critters around the house skuzzy?  Not many things funnier than watching drunk racoons and other animals stagger around the yard.

[Skuzzy]

You will not find any fruit bearing nothing in my yard.  I grew up with it and grew out of it as well.

But, yes, we used to see all manner of drunk animals in the yard.  Cats are really funny when they lose thier sense of balance and do not realize it.

[Dago]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
You will not find any fruit bearing nothing in my yard.  I grew up with it and grew out of it as well.

But, yes, we used to see all manner of drunk animals in the yard.  Cats are really funny when they lose thier sense of balance and do not realize it.

Put a cat on an office chair that spins, slowly start spinning the cat, working up to a good speed.  Cat will get all dizzy.  Put him on the floor and watch him flip around as he tries to figure out which way is up.  Funny.