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growing fruit trees or bamboo at 9000' #626279

Asked April 21, 2020, 6:26 PM EDT

Hi, Is it possible to grow fruit trees or bamboo at 9000'?
If so can you suggest a supplier? 
Also, i would consider growing in a 5 gallon bucket that could be moved inside.
Thank you,
Brandt

Boulder County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Brandt,

1. Here is a Colorado Planting Zone link to determine your zone: https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-colorado-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php. You are probably in Zone 3 or 4a, so fruit trees that are hardy to those zones may survive at your elevation. Cold hardy apple, plum, and sour cherry varieties are possible options, and the varieties that mature early are going to be your best bet.

Here is a CSU Extension fact sheet "Fruit Trees for Colorado" that addresses fruit trees that can withstand -25F. but it doesn't address elevation...take this info as a general guide, but make sure to find your planting zone. https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/fruits/1217-fruit-trees-colorado/

Here is an interesting article from San Francisco Gate that is not necessarily science-based like the CSU Extension material, but may be helpful: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/types-high-altitude-trees-45409.html
"It's possible to have fruiting trees at high altitudes, but the fruits may be smaller or less plentiful. Many apples (Malus spp.) and pears (Pyrus spp.) will tolerate these conditions, particularly those that mature early. "State Fair," "Yellow Transparent" and "Earligold" are a few early-bearing apples, and "Clapp's Favorite," Honeysweet," "Moonglow" and "Summercrisp" are a few early-bearing pear choices . Apricots and cherries (both Prunus spp.) all bear in July to August and nearly all plums (Prunus spp.) bear fruit in August, making them suitable to high-altitude areas. Any of these trees might do well in a high desert climate if the trees get enough chill hours (hours in the cold to induce fruit production). Most of these trees grow well in USDA zones 3 to 8."

2. Another important consideration is pollination. All fruit trees need to be cross-pollinated in order to bear fruit, so it would be important for you to plant near another fruit-bearing tree, or to plant several. Here is a CSU Extension Factsheet on pollination: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/pollination-of-tree-fruits-7-002/

"Most fruit trees need cross-pollination for good fruit set, and you may need to buy more than just one variety.

Many new plantings, especially apple orchards, are planted in a solid block of one variety to make more efficient use of land, labor and cultural practices (thinning, pruning, chemical sprays, harvesting).... For backyard trees, a pollen source, such as a neighbor’s crabapple tree, should be no more than 100 feet away."

3. In terms of container gardening fruit trees, my concern is the tree becoming root-bound. Trees need to be planted near the soil surface so their roots can spread out to gain as much moisture as possible. You could try it, but the tree may not last more than a few years.

An option might be grapes, which can be planted in containers and toted in and outside:

4. Fact Sheets
CSU Extension fact sheet on trees and shrubs for mountain areas (no fruit trees on this list, unfortunately):

CSU Extension fact sheet, The Science of Planting Trees:

CSU Extension fact sheet, Tree Fruit:

Here is a fact sheet from the Idaho MG Extension on short season fruit tree propagation, but Idaho is lower than 9,000 elevation and is likely in a different planting zone, so keep that in mind:https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL0867.pdf

CSU Extension fact sheet: Training and Pruining Fruit Trees

5. Bamboo
I did find a similar question answered to a person living in Estes Park, that may help:
"[You are likely in Zone 3b or 4a so it is probably too high/cold]. If you are willing to lose the bamboo in colder years then you could try one of the bamboos listed on this site => http://bamboogarden.com/cold%20hardy%20bamboo.html. The Bamboo Garden site and the Complete bamboo site are also excellent resources for growing information and tips => http://www.completebamboo.com/ There are two types of bamboo…I would not recommend the spreading / running type as they are very invasive. If you like the idea of bamboo but are not committed then you may want to also research various ornamental grass varieties. They provide (almost) year round garden interest and are easy to maintain. We have a list of grasses on the CSU Extension site, Fact Sheet 7.232 => http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07232.html."

Hope this helps! 

Heather
CO Master Gardeners--Boulder County Office


















An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 22, 2020, 1:54 PM EDT

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