Fruit tree native to MD? - Ask Extension
Hello, We have 12 protected acres in N. BaCo, 6 acres are not wooded but landscaped with small groves of trees throughout. Is there a type of fruit be...
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Fruit tree native to MD? #548300
Asked March 22, 2019, 9:30 AM EDT
Hello, We have 12 protected acres in N. BaCo, 6 acres are not wooded but landscaped with small groves of trees throughout. Is there a type of fruit bearing tree that we can plant (which has fruit that is edible to both humans and animals)? We were thinking apple etc, but not sure if there is a somewhat native variety of a fruit tree.
Thanks,
Renae
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Paw paws (Asimina triloba), persimmons (Diospyros) and blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are some choices you might want to consider for human consumption. Other native plants bear fruit that is small/bitter/may need processing to make palatable for human consumption -- but all provide good sources of food for native wildlife. These include elderberry (Sambucus), chokeberry (Aronia), black cherry (Prunus serrotina), wild plum (Prunus americana), crabapple (Malus), and serviceberry (Amelanchier). Really, any native tree or shrub that produces fruit/seeds is going to be beneficial for wildlife.
Asian persimmons can be cultivated here and they produce fruits that are larger than the native persimmons. Fruits that produce crops reliably in Maryland with few or no sprays include (non-native) fig, Asian persimmon, Asian pear, blueberry, strawberry, currant, gooseberry, raspberry, and blackberry.
As you think about purchasing trees, check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources program for tree rebates -- $25 off when you purchase trees from their recommended list (from approved nurseries). https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/MarylandersPlantTrees/Introduction.aspx
ckc
Asian persimmons can be cultivated here and they produce fruits that are larger than the native persimmons. Fruits that produce crops reliably in Maryland with few or no sprays include (non-native) fig, Asian persimmon, Asian pear, blueberry, strawberry, currant, gooseberry, raspberry, and blackberry.
As you think about purchasing trees, check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources program for tree rebates -- $25 off when you purchase trees from their recommended list (from approved nurseries). https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/MarylandersPlantTrees/Introduction.aspx
ckc
