Thank you, Armando, for the tip. Do you think I can start planting them now in our 9b (10a), or shall I wait till spring?

Since were in Socal, we might be receiving heavy rains this Fall. If it was me, I wouldn't risk killing the trees due to rot root. Unless your soil has really GOOD draining. But for me, I have heavy clay soil and it would just drown before the end of the year.

Pomegranate is a great fruit tree, however I wouldn't necessarily classify it as fast. There are other trees that are much faster growing. The types of trees that will grow well in your area depends upon the number of chill hours you get each year. Many fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, etc. need a certain number of hours below 45 degrees. You should look up the average number of chill hours you get in your area and then choose plants that need about that or fewer. Many "low chill" varieties have been developed, so that even in Southern California things like cherries can now be grown. Some of the fastest growing fruit trees include peaches and cherries. Also plums, pluots and apricots are also quite fast. How fast a fruit tree grows also depends on the rootstock. A dwarfing rootstock will grow slower than a standard rootstock. You can always keep a vigorous tree a certain size of you are willing to prune it 1-2 times per year.

-Brett

Plants don't die or develop root rots just from heavy rains :-) This only happens if heavy rains (or frequent irrigation) occur when the soil doesn't drain well. In a very summer dry climate like SoCal or under droughty conditions, planting in fall when rainfall is plentiful typically hastens establishment. But good soil drainage is a requirement for most plants, regardless of location and the amount of rainfall received.

This tree gave me over 100 "softball" size pomegranates this season. If you want superb quality pomegranates, there is a nursery by where I live called Laguna Hills Nursery in Santa Ana who will soon carry a few unique varieties. One in particular is called "Parfianka" and its suppose to be best, excellent rich flavor, small edible seeds, you dont even have to spit out. Here's a list with prices.
http://files.constantcontact.com/63c1a13a001/18d2d845-ccb9-48d4-872f-af28384280eb.pdf

If you need anything else, please let me know.

Keep in mind that "fast" is not necessarily "good". Plants that are fast growers are generally (not always, but generally speaking), weedy and coarse. Truly great plants are worth the patience they sometimes require.

Traditional planting time in Southern California for all non-tropical and non-subtropical plants is fall. Our winters are not very cold, and the new plant has the benefit of winter rains (when we get those) and mild autumn and spring weather to help establish the root system before the heat of summer sets in.

If you want a fruiting vine passionfruit grows quick and has good fruit. It needs a trellis or chain link fence to climb on. Many are mentioning deciduous trees to you, they usually have a period where they drop leaves in the winter and you will have less privacy for a period of time. Subtropical trees (avocado, citrus, mango) are evergreen and pretty dense.

Thank you so much for all the replies. So much to learn, gee. I have heard too, yes, that fall is an ideal timing for planting in SoCal. And I agree about evergreen trees.