This is from a post that I am the author of on Hubpages, that I think would do well here. Sometimes the focus on Publish0x is often too focused on directly crypto, when that isn't what all of us are or do - or at least I hope it isn't all you all do. We all have offline hobbies and interests. One of my off-line passions and interests is backyard gardening. More so, fruit, nut and spices trees make the goal of having an "edible forest" in my backyard even more obtainable And so with that in mind, I figured I'd share that on here. May not be applicable to most people due to location, but perhaps if it does well enough, I'll take the time to research and compile other requested locations. Please let me know below in the comments if others are interested in these offline hobby series.
This is my list of fruit, nut, and, spice trees that I've researched (and often even grown) will grow in or around Houston, TX zone 8b (USDA Hardiness 15–20 degrees Fahrenheit, Austin, TX to Gainesville, FL). I've put together this list for those interested in beginning to research an orchard or fruit tree grove. I've included general characteristics of the tree, harvest time, height, and applicable hardiness zones.
Additionally, I've included Latin names for all varieties to make future research easier. Please note that with many of the rootstock varieties, researching by Latin name versus commercial name may be more difficult.
Nut and Spice Trees
Bay Laurel
- Zones 8B – 10
- Can grow to 60 feet (18m) tall
- Leaves (bay leaf) are used for cooking
- Dried laurel berries can also be used as spices and food seasoning
- Latin: Laurus nobilis
Black Walnut
- Zones 4 – 9
- Can grow to more than 130 feet (40m) tall
- Yields whole fruit with husks around October.
- Crops tend to alternate crop yield (e.g., heavy, light, heavy, light)
- Latin: Juglans nigra
Black Walnut (Carpathia)
- Zones 5 – 9
- Can grow to more than 105 feet (31m) tall
- Yields whole fruit with husks in autumn
- Latin: Juglans regia
Chinese Chestnut
- Zones 4 – 8
- Can grow to 60 feet (18m) tall
- Latin: Castanea mollissima
Hazelnut
- Zones 4 – 9
- Grows to about 12 feet (4m) tall
- Yields fruit from September to October
- Latin: Corylus americana
Hardy Pecan
- Zones 5 – 9
- Can grow to 130 feet (40m) tall and rarely past 144 feet (44m) tall
- Yields fruit mid-October and can live and yield fruit for up to 300 years
- Part of the Hickory family
- Latin: Carya illinoinensis
Shagbark Hickory
- Zones 4 – 8
- Can grow up to 80 feet (27m) tall
- Yields fruit in autumn
- Can live and yield fruit for up to 200 years
- Latin: Carya ovata
White Walnut
- Zones 4 – 7
- Can grow to 60 feet (18m) tall and rarely grows to above 90 feet (27m)
- Yields whole fruit with husks in mid-autumn
- Latin: Juglans cinerea
Fruit Trees (Non-Citrus)
Apple (Carter's Blue)
- Zone 8B
- Normally grown on rootstock, height is limited
- Fruit is ripened and ready to pick by November
- Self-fertile
- Latin: Malus domestica
Cold Hardy Banana Tree
- Zones 5 – 11
- Grows to a height of about 15 feet (5m) tall, including leaves
- Latin: Musa basjoo
Maroon Crabapple
- Zones 7 – 8B
- Grown as a cross-pollination source for an orchard
- Fruit is not palatable when raw
- Latin: Malus angustifolia
Olive
- Zones 8A – 11
- Grows to 20 feet (6m) tall, although typically shorter
- Fruit is late fall to early winter
- Depending on the variety, typically self-fertile; however, recommended that they be planted in groups of three or more
- Latin: Olea europaea
Peaches (Gulf Crimson)
- Zones 8A – 8B
- Grows to about 30 feet (9m) tall
- Fruit is ripened by late summer
- Latin: Prunus persica
Pears (Pineapple)
- Zones 8 – 9
- Normally grown from rootstock, height is limited
- Fruit is ripened and ready to pick by November
- Needs Golden Boy Pear to pollinate (needs to be planted in pairs)
- Latin: Pyrus communis
Pears (Golden Boy)
- Zones 8A – 9
- Normally grown on rootstock, height is limited
- Fruit is ripened and ready to pick by November
- Needs Pineapple Pear to pollinate (needs to be planted in pairs)
- Latin: Pyrus communis
Plum (Gulf Beauty)
- Zones 8B – 9
- Grows to 20 feet (6m) tall
- Fruit ripens in late summer
- Latin: Prunus angustifolia
Stella Cherry Tree
- Zones 5 – 8
- Grows up to 100 feet (32m) tall
- Fruit becomes edible in mid-summer
- Note: all parts of the tree, except the fruit, are slightly toxic
- Latin: Prunus avium
Citrus Fruit Trees
Clementine Tangerine (Fina Sodea)
- Zones 8B – 10
- Must be cross-pollinated to avoid seeds in fruit
- Fruits are harvested in winter
- Needs Orlando Tangelo to pollinate (needs to be planted in pairs)
- Latin: Citrus reticulata
Limequat
- Zones 8B – 10
- Grown in a container
- More cold-hardy than traditional limes; however, a slow fruit producer
- Self-fertile
- Latin: Citrus floridana
Meyer Lemon
- Zones 8B – 10
- Grows to about 10 feet (3m) tall
- Fruits are harvested in winter
- Quick-growing variety, from seed to fruit, takes about four years
- Large bushy tree
- Self-fertile
- Latin: Citrus meyeri
Mid-Sweet Orange
- Zones 8B – 10
- Grows to about 35 feet (10m) tall
- Fruits are harvested in winter
- Self-fertile
- Latin: Citrus sinensis
Orlando Tangelo
- Zones 8B – 10
- Must be cross-pollinated to avoid seeds in fruit
- Fruits are harvested in winter
- Needs Clementine Tangerine to pollinate (needs to be planted in pairs)
- Latin: Citrus tangelo
Red Rio Grapefruit
- Zones 8B – 10
- Grows normally to 20 feet (6m) tall but can reach as high as 50 feet (15m) tall
- Self-fertile
- Latin: Citrus pardisi
I hope y'all enjoyed the break from Crypto! To help ease y'all back into it, consider checking out Presearch, a decentralized search engine that is powered by blockchain and who rewards users. Right now they have a referral bonus of 50 PRE when you sign up and use the service for at least thirty days. And if you're in Houston, TX (or along the Gulf Coast) and looking for other resources for backyard gardening check out Plants for Houston and the Gulf Coast by Howard Garrett. Also, if you're interesting in reading other articles from the author, check out Spring Planting Strategy for Houston, TX.
