[oneKnight]

I have just cut down our only two trees (we live in the city) one fell in hurricane Ike and one was dropping limbs like crazy from carpenter ants and rotting.
SO now I have no shade.
I'm wanting something about the size that they call "semi-dwarf" because I don't want any more of these freaking huge trees like I just cut down (one had 4 "trunk" sections and it was huge). And I'm willing to do a little pruning to make sure they stay smallish. I can also take more agressive measures to get rid of the ants, by killing their nest I've gotten a good leg up on them already.

I was wondering if it would be nice to have a couple of semi-dwarf fruit trees, probably apple. I know I would need two types for polination, or a crabapple I hear those also work. Two trees I can do financially and space wise, and we can probably eat or store most of the fruit I hope. It's possible I might like a crabapple in my front yard as well.

Anybody done anything similar? Recomendations? I'm not necessarily looking for huge crops, but getting some fruit in addition to the shade would be nice.

 

[philomom]

Stark Bros. nursery will pre- prune them for you. They also are careful to list which ones will pollinate each other.

Or check your phone book for some organic growers. They will carry heirloom varieties that no one has heard of but generally aren't "fussy".

 

[lucyem]

I am much further north than you but our state college extension has fact sheets on growing dwarf apple trees in your back yard.

http://extension.unh.edu/resources/r...r_Home_Gardens

 

[Red]

I have one tree with 5 varities on it. They pollinate each other.

 

[sassafrass94]

:

Think I want to try espallier training with an/a couple apple trees... Hope it's not extremely labor intensive.

 

[oneKnight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red I have one tree with 5 varities on it. They pollinate each other.

That's quite interesting, but I do kindof need some shade so I figured two or possibly three small trees might be good.

Somebody not far down the road has 3 pear trees, and while I like the size/shape I have very little use for pears.

 

[sassafrass94]

This may be something to look at too. This technique of planting was discussed a little in other threads. Looks like it may work for you if you want manageable size and lots of fruit. I believe there are some Mothers here who are using this method. (maybe I saw it over at Digging in the Dirt)
http://www.davewilson.com/homegrown/BOC_explained.html

 

[oneKnight]

great link, thanks!