We don't have county-specific lists, but recommended cultivars are included on each of the fruit pages we maintain online. They are only sample lists, as a plethora of cultivars exist for many fruit types, and we don't have local cultivation experience or disease resistance rankings for them all. We don't have content for mulberry cultivation, as the only native species is fairly uncommon in Maryland (Morus rubra, the Red Mulberry), and the prevalent species is invasive (White Mulberry, Morus alba). Our information for currants and elderberries is more limited, as they are less commonly grown, and we don't have nut tree information included currently, though may add that in time.

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) is our locally native species (though it hasn't been documented growing wild in St. Mary's County), and it's more disease-resistant than non-native Hazelnuts. You can use either the straight species or look for hybrids produced by Rutgers and their research partners, who are/were breeding American and European Hazelnuts for disease resistance (from the American stock) combined with improved nut size (European stock). Filbert Blight is a major concern as it can kill Hazelnuts. The Rutgers resource Choosing Plants for a Hazelnut Orchard in New Jersey may be helpful to explore, even if you aren’t planting an entire orchard of them. Hazelnuts are more of a shrub than a tree, but this can be an advantage as they take up less space and mature to nut-bearing age more quickly than pecans and walnuts.

Organic matter soil amendments help clay-based soil to resist compaction, which also improves drainage. This can come from compost, cover crops that serve as a "green" mulch, or biodegradable mulch like wood chips.

Extension's agriculture and food systems program has many resources online for farmers; the Home and Garden Information Center web content linked above is geared towards home gardeners, not commercial agriculture, though many of the concepts do overlap and may be useful for you. If you haven't already, you can get in touch with your county Extension office for more resources and contact info. for your regional ag. agents.

Fruit trees are high-maintenance plants, requiring special pruning techniques (they are generally not pruned for canopy shape in the same way flowering and shade trees are) and pest and disease prevention measures (though starting with disease-resistant cultivars is the best first step). If you opt to use only organic pesticides to prevent problems, be aware that those products can cost more and require more frequent applications to make up for the fact that their ingredients generally biodegrade more quickly, so they remain effective for less time per application. Pesticide use (organic or otherwise) tends to be a core feature of fruit tree cultivation because some pests and diseases, if not caught early, can ruin a crop for the year or may risk long-term tree health. The pages for fruit tree information linked above contain links to information specific to the pests and diseases they are most vulnerable to, plus a spray guide published by Virginia Tech.

One good first step to take, if you haven't already, is laboratory soil testing for the sites you'll be planting. Ag agents can help you interpret the results as they pertain to what crops you intend to grow, though the lab will provide feedback as well. Testing evaluates soil nutrient content, acidity (pH), and organic matter content; some labs can also screen for heavy metals like lead (generally more of a concern for vegetables than fruit trees/shrubs).

Miri