Tweedbunny:

Your inquiry leaves to the imagination several important details, such as: What is the total size of the orchard you contemplate, and thus the spacing between the trees? These considerations will be more important than pollination or flavor-transference issues, which will not affect any of the trees you mention at all.

Pecan and almond trees can become very large in size relative to some of the others you list. If you are thinking of a spacing such as 8-10 feet between trees, even semi-dwarf apple trees might become too large to deal with, absent annual size-controlling pruning. Peach and apricot trees can also become quite large unless they are planted on size-controlling rootstocks, and dwarfing rootstocks under stone fruits can bring their own problems.

So please tell us what spacing you have mind, and whether you have looked at the issue of rootstock types in controlling the size of your little orchard. I am not a nut tree specialist, but I am not aware of rootstocks that would control the size of pecan and almond trees, though they may exist.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

size is the thing in this sort of planting. The Pecan should be in the north row, so that it doesn't shade the others too much. The others all depend on what sort of root stock they are on. Apple can be a full size tree on standard stock and still one of the bigger ones on dwarf stock. Almond, I agree, can also get quite large. These trees will definitely need to be MORE than 10 feet apart, especially if you want open space in the middle.

Suggest you drop the pecan, it is too large a tree and needs a pollintor. Instead go with two almonds that are pollen compatible at positions 1 and 6. Then two apples on semidwarf rootstock at 2 and 7. Then put the two peaches on standard root at 3 and 8. This will give a balanced look to the orchard and the trees will all be about the same size. Plant the trees about 20ft apart. If short on space you could go down to 14-16ft but you will get crowded soon or need a lot of summer pruning.

The other issues you mention are no problem.

The Fruitnut

All excellent suggestions. I can only add that the picnic table situated in the middle of your fruit tree cluster might seem like a good idea now, in 5-6 years (maybe sooner) you will be moving it. Family eating gatherings usually tend to overlap with spray reentry intervals.

If you can't spread your trees the full 20' that fruitnut suggested then at least leave 20+ foot isles between rows of trees so you can navigate to spray, prune and harvest.

I once had a mixed orchard of plums, sweet cherries, apricots, tart cherries, peaches and apples. Proper management of any one type of fruit tree was always hindered be close proximity of ripening fruit of another type. Maybe your intent is to only have these trees for ornamental value but then plum, apricot or peach would not be your best choices.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

I can give the trees as much space as they need so spacing isnt an issue. I will consider how far apart to place them after I've chosen the individual varieties. I also won't need a pollinator for my pecan because lots of neighbors have them. But considering size, I may put that tree in another part of the yard after all.

Picnic table is safe - no pesticides needed. Me and my mom have the chem-free fruit tree survival down to an art :D. At least until the next new kind of pest comes along.

I think my questions have been answered though. No matter the placement of the trees, taste and pollination shouldnt be affected. I also like the idea of a balanced look - peach at 2 and 7, apple at 1 and 6.

Thanks all!

Tweedbunny:

If space is not an issue, you must have moved from the teeny-tiny lot in a condo complex as described on your member page and out to the countryside. Packing lots of trees into a small area might work out ok for decorative specimens, but is far more problematic with fruit trees. If you are able to raise decent fruit with no pesticides or fungicides at all, I would like to know where that little bit of heaven is.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

I have the same comments as Don, what are your secrets to spray free peaches, plums, and apricots? I have almost given up here, even with lots of spraying and hand bagging.

I can't advise much on placement as ours are integrated into the "yard". An espalier of several fruit trees some distance from a patio or deck also makes a nice backdrop.

Guys, she's likely in CA. When I was there, there were no pests of apples in my location. There were codling moth in the valley floor where the commercial orchards were, but just a few miles back into the foothills there were none.
We just had another lady in the bay area said she grew those beautiful Red Del, or whatever, with no inputs.

This is the reason I've stay in West TX or CA when "home" is Illinois. We have almost no codling moth in Alpine TX. I grew my apples this yr with no spraying. But they were very ugly apples from the freeze and hail. Codling moth were terrible in Amarillo where the winter is 10F cooler than here. But there were no other serious pests there. Just hail, freezes, and constant wind. Hail damage 75% of the yrs.

The Fruitnut

The little bit of heaven I live in is in Southern Utah, St George specifically. Its a desert climate and we've never used any fungicides on anything - its so dry here. The tops of the fruit trees occasionally sunburn but no harm underneath. We (meaning me and my mom) had a beautiful yard full of fruit and nut trees before I got married and moved to my current teeny tiny complex yard :).
The orchard I am planting is in my mom's older next-door-neighbors yard.

They only pest we had on our fruit trees were birds when the fruits were ripe. But we invited the birds because they ate the bugs. They deserved a treat. :)

And any fruits that fell to the ground were cleaned up right away by these two little rodents, Brody and Camo:

{{gwi:125497}}

But there are things we can't grow. It's TOOO hot for cherries and certain varieties of apple. And not nearly enough chilling hours. And I love cherries :(

Tweedbunny:

Technically not rodents. Leporidae. But hey, kind of rodent-like. I sure envy you your insect and fungus free climate.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

tweed pawnee pecan would be one I would try in your area it was slected for panhandle of texas. has drafing more than others you can slowly downsize pecan tree by selective dehorn over several years starting inside canopy first. Auburn university has good book on pruning pecan trees book name is Pecan Production In The Southeast. It has good guide for light so note time for pruning later years.