Fruit Trees - Fall Planting Guide

Cool fall weather is fast approaching, and here in Southern California, that means planting time! Our mild, wet winters are great for establishing fall planted shrubs and trees (especially natives).

Choosing the right tree can be overwhelming - thousands of cultivars exist, but your local nurseries will carry but a fraction, with only the most popular varieties in stock. 

Call ahead to where you are planning to purchase. What fruit trees do they carry, and what cultivars or varieties do they have in stock? From this list - do your homework. Your back yard's micro-climate, chilling time required, size, and any particular pest problems will need to be considered and researched if you want the highest yield for your garden.

Winter chilling is vital for many nut and fruit trees. This required time and low temperature are needed by the tree to set it's cycle of growth and dormancy period. The buds on the bare branches of a winter tree are small and tightly covered by bud scales as protection against freezing.  These buds need a cold period to induce growth. 
Click here for a guide on fruit tree chilling requirements.

from sunset.com

Best bare root fruiting trees for the Southern California  (low chill requirements):

• Apple: Gala, Anna, Beverly Hills, Dorsett Golden, Einshemer, Gordon, & Tropical Beauty
• Pear: Baldwin, Carnes, Florida Home, Fan Stil, Garber, Hengsan, Hood, Kieffer, Orient, Pineapple, Seleta, & Spadona 
• Asian Pear:  Chojuro, Hosui, Niiataka, Shinko, Tsu Li, & Ya Li
• Fig
• Pomegranate
• Quince
• Apricot:  'Goldkist', 'Early Gold', & 'Newcastle'
• Nectarine: Desert Dawn, Desert Delight, Rose, Panamint, Pioneer, & Silver Lode
• Peach: August Pride, Babcock, Bonita, Desertgold, Early Amber, Earligrande, FlordaGrand, FlordaPrince, Midpride, Tropic-berta,  & TopicSweet
• Plum: Beauty Burgundy, Delight, Howard Miracle, Kelsey, Mariposa, Meredith, Methley, Santa Rosa, Satsuma, & Sprite
• Persimmons