A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Fruit Forum Fruit Tree

I'm looking into getting a fruit tree, but my parts of my backyard become really wet and sometimes flooded whenever it rains and tends to stay wet for a while. Are there any fruit trees that can tolerate soil that stays wet for a while, but can also tolerate dry periods too?

fruit trees like it moist but not flooded. I would suggest building a berm to plant them on or running a french drain through that area and get rid of the bog problem. It depends on your landscape.

I didn't intend on planting a tree in the flooded parts. It's because my backyard slopes downward since my house is on a small hill. I'm intending on planting something midway from where my house is and where it tends to flood, so the soil will be moist for a while after rains but it won't be flooded up.

Fruit trees from the little I've read and the ones I bought and planted this year seem to like it moist. But when it becomes dry I have to get out there and water them or they begin to wither very quickly. I really didn't have any idea they would be this hard to raise or I might have rethought my plan.

Slopes are good places to plant, because water usually flows pretyt well down the slope. You can plant water loving perennials down at the base of the slope so the water doesn't go to waste. One thing to note, if you want fruit, you will need to plant two trees of the species, unless your neighbours have something similar growing in their yard.

Tk, reading about your trees withering, I'm going talk a bit about watering trees, from my experience and what i've read. It's not anything directly to you lol

Regardless of what type of tree or shrub you transplant, you'll need to water almost everyday to help it establish the first year. Most people water too shallowly and although the soil looks damp, if you stick your finger in the root ball, it's dry. Setting your hose to a trickle, and leaving it at the base of the newly transplanted tree for half an hour will make sure it's water properly and it shouldn't wilt in the mid day sun.

yep that's pretty much what I have to do to keep them from wilting.

But when you say first year do you mean I'll be able to ease off next year?

Yes, Tammy. It mostly depends on your weather and if your trees were able to form a good root system the first year. But even in my desert-y existence here the second year is much less watering needs for most trees and shrubs except my tropicals.

Kenny, aren't there self pollinating fruit trees?