Do you like to eat fruit and wish it were more readily available, as in right outside your door? Plant some fruit trees in your yard. You will have fruit within reach, and in the process, you will reduce air pollution, enrich the soil, attract pollinators, and provide shelter for wildlife and shade for you and your family.

Fruit trees generally fall into three categories: dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard. The smallest of the three, dwarf trees offer many benefits. They are suitable for tight spaces, easy to prune and pick, and quick to produce fruit, usually in three to five years. Semi-dwarf trees are medium sized, ranging in height from 10 to 16 feet. They require extensive annual pruning, but produce more fruit than dwarf trees and live longer. Standard trees are quite large, with some growing 25 to 30 feet high. Although they take several years to reach maturity and are harder to care for, they produce a ton of fruit fairly quickly.

Fruit trees come in hundreds of varieties, each of which has its own requirements. Apple trees, for example, do best in areas with fairly dry soil and lots of light. Find the ones most suitable for your area and ask about their pollinating requirements. For fruit much of the year, consider planting a number of varieties that bloom at different times.

When looking for trees, take note of the size and any other features that might appeal to you, like flowers, leaves and scents. Keep in mind that the smaller the tree is, the less space it will require and the easier overall it will be to manage. Look for trees with strong, straight stems, one clear, identifiable leader and high, well-balanced branches. This will ensure the trees grow straight and bear fruit out of the reach of many critters.

When planting a tree, dig a hole about 18 inches deep and loosen the soil around it with a pitchfork. Place some compost in the bottom of the hole and replace enough dirt to make a small mound in the middle. Set the root ball on top of the mound, spread the roots out evenly and fill the hole with soil, being careful to keep the tree as straight as possible. Add a couple more inches of soil around the tree and water it thoroughly. The soil will compress when moist. If needed, stake the tree to ensure it continues to grow straight.

Just think. With the proper care, your fruit trees will flourish and you will have plenty of fruit to eat throughout much of the year.

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