Fruit Trees
Apples
Malus spp.
There are a number of quite hardy apples that can be grown on the prairies. Apple trees are very decorative, provide the benefit of edible fruit, and are an appropriate size for small yard landscaping. All edible-fruited apple trees have white blossoms and require cross-pollination from other local apples or crabapple trees to produce fruit. Fruit is usually 2-3” (5-8cm) in diameter. Popular varieties are Fall Red, Goodland, Harcourt, Norkent, North Battleford, and September Ruby.
Apple-crabs are fruit trees developed by crossing standard apples with crabapples. The fruit is generally less than 2” (5cm) in diameter but the trees are hardier than standard apples. Two varieties are Kerr and Rescue.
Crabapples are very hardy and wide-spreading, producing small, tart crabapples with a high pectin content making them exceptionally good for jelly making. A good variety is Dolgo with tart, juicy, and crisp fruit that ripens in late August.
Apricots
Prunus spp.
Because apricot trees bloom so early in the spring late frosts often damage the flowers and prevent fruit from forming. Stop apricots from flowering early by heavily mulching the soil around the base of the trees. This will keep the soil temperature low. Remove the mulch in mid-May, allow the soil to warm and the blossoms to form after the danger of frost has passed. Since apricots are cross-pollinators two trees of different varieties are required to set fruit. Prairie-hardy varieties like Brookcot and Westcot were developed from the Manchurian apricot.
Pears
Pyrus ussuriensis
As ornamental trees, the hardy pears are worth growing for their abundant, scented, white flower clusters produced early in the spring and for their bright yellow to red autumn colors. The dense foliage is also an attractive glossy green color. The fruit, good for making jams or cooked desserts, is usually small, and hard with gritty flesh. Since pears are cross-pollinators, two varieties of trees are required to set fruit. Ussurian Pear selections with better fruit quality include Golden Spice and Early Gold.
Plums
Prunus spp.
Plums are small ornamental trees with occasional fruit production and orange fall color. They have fragrant flowers in early spring and like apricots, need heavy mulching to delay blossoming. Plums also require another plum variety for pollination. Other pollinators are cherry-plums or western sandcherry. Some hardy sweet plum varieties are Brookgold, Brookred and Pembina.
