Deciduous Fruit Trees

for Orange County

1-31-10

Laguna Hills Nursery

lagunahillsnursery.com

(949) 830-5653

 

 

 

Success depends upon knowing:

What is the MINIMUM CHILL REQUIREMENT?

                The majority of deciduous fruit trees evolved in temperate climates and require a period of winter cold in order to produce flowers and fruit.  We call this period the minimum chill requirement (MCR).  Temperate climate trees evolved the MCR to avoid leafing out prematurely during a warm spell in the middle of winter.  Trees that evolved in the colder winter climates have a longer MCR than trees the evolved in mild winter climates.  The growth buds do not complete development until they experience an entire typical winter.  As soon as the MCR is reached the bud will begin growth with the next warm spell.  It is the bud itself, not the trunk or roots, that must experience the chill.

 Researchers have determined that Chill involves the number of hours of exposure to temperatures below 55°F and above 33°F.  (Apparently there is no chill value for time spent below 34°F.)  The MCR is the minimum number of chill hours (accumulative) that the tree must be exposed to during the fall-winter season for proper flower bud development and subsequent fruiting.  Hours spent above 60°F are subtracted.  The value of chill varies with the temperature.  Maximum chill is received between 36°F and 48°F.  Maximum negative chill occurs above 65°F. 

Many authorities will explain that the year’s chill value is determined by summing up all the winter’s additions and subtractions; however that total is normally quite low.  In my opinion the MCR is like slowly adding water to a cup with a small hole in the bottom.  The water is the chill hours accumulating and the size of the hole  that water leaks out is the negative chill.  The height of the cup represents the variety’s MCR.  During periods of intense cold the water adds up very quickly.  Once the water spills over the top all bloom and growth systems have been switched on.  Growth begins during the next warm spell.  By the end of winter the cup’s hole enlarges and the water is no longer near the top. 

                In the orchards of California’s Central Valley most commercial fruit trees have MCR’s between 500 and 800 hours.  Generally we don’t grow many of the same fruit varieties.

                In Orange County the lowest chill is found on coastal hilltops (about 200 hours).  Most of the flat neighborhoods of central OC get about 350 hours.  Riverbeds and canyon floors can easily accumulate 500 hours.  Cold air flows like water and accumulates wherever water will. 

Cold air has a natural tendency to flow downhill.  It is true that the air is cooler at higher elevations (1°F for every 200+ feet) due to reduced atmospheric density, but cold air is heavier and still flows downhill. 

                Lack of winter heat is more important than the intensity of the cold and we find that coastal locations often get 400 hours.  In hilly cities like Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Orange, Tustin, etc. the hilltops may receive only 250 hours but the low spots in these same neighborhoods can average over 400 hours.  The bigger the canyon the colder it is at the bottom.  Extremely cold air can be found along the Trabuco and San Juan creek beds, as well as at the bottom of Laguna Canyon, in the winter.  In 1990 temperatures in San Juan Capistrano fell below 20°F!

                The typical residential yard has several microclimates.  A tree on the exposed south wall of a home may receive only half the chill hours compared to a tree on the shaded north side.  House walls can radiate heat to a nearby tree while a grass lawn can cool a tree.  Cold air collects behind walls and fences. 

                When growing varieties with marginally high MCRs plant the tree several feet off the north wall of a house or on the north side of a large evergreen tree.  In that location the tree will be shaded in winter and still receive sunlight (for best fruit quality) in summer.  White-washing the stems will reduce the temperature during the day.  Keeping the tree as short as possible also helps.  (The air is noticeably warmer 10 feet off the ground on a still winter night.)

                To be consistently successful in the benign winter climate of Orange County a deciduous fruit tree must have a relatively low MCR (a.k.a. low chill).   Truthfully, the MCR’s of fruit tree varieties have not been scientifically determined and almost all are just educated guesses. 

                Some deciduous fruit trees (Figs, Jujubes, Mulberries,some Apples) may not have a MCR.  We believe these trees are set to grow when spring days exceed a certain temperature and there are no leaves on the branches. 

                When we list the MCR as a range (for example MCR 300-500) we are listing the range of MCR’s listed for that variety from various references. 

 

Controlling Production

                Most mature full size fruit trees can produce more than 400 pieces of fruit at harvest time that typically lasts 2-4 weeks.  Few families can consume fruit that quickly.  There are several strategies to make production more useful. 

  1. Control tree size with summer pruning.  Although most fruit trees can grow larger than 15 feet high and wide we prefer to keep each tree about 7-8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.  Since fruit does not form on current growth (figs and jujubes are the exception) most of this growth can be trimmed off all summer without affecting next year’s crop.  A tree this size will produce 50-70 fruit per year. 
  2. Control size by grouping different varieties.  If 4 apple trees are planted within 2 feet of each other, this group is not capable of growing significantly larger than a single tree.  This group will still produce a huge amount of fruit, but now has 4 different ripening periods.  Much more of that fruit can now be consumed by one family. 
  3. Do both.  In my own garden we planted 12 apple varieties in 3 groups.  Each group is only allowed to grow 8 feet tall and wide.  We can pick apples nearly any day between early summer and early winter. 
  4. Make a hedge.  Fruit trees can also be planted 3-4 feet apart and maintained as a hedge. 

Consult the brochure What is Backyard Orchard Culture? for details.  An important detail is that summer is the best time to prune for size control.  Heavy pruning in winter can eliminate most of the flower buds critical for the next crop. 

        Generally, we do not recommend genetic dwarf fruit trees.  Of the few available varieties none produce superior quality fruit.  Semidwarf trees are generally still too large unless pruned. 

 

 

Apples are decently reliable in our area.  Most of the popular commercial apples produce regularly in OC (Honeycrisp is an exception).  Apples seem to either have a very low MCR or don’t even use the system.  Most apples bloom in April no matter what the winter was like.  A few bloom in February.  Most apples are at least partially self-fertile, but most orchards plant 2 varieties (with the same bloom period) just in case.  To create a heavier bloom, strip off all the leaves grown the previous year by March.  (Occasionally we’ll have a winter cool enough cause all the foliage to drop.)  Apples begin production by the 4th year, but some start much sooner.  Apples require hand thinning after fruit set to 1 per cluster or less.  We offer semidwarf trees (M111 rootstock) that can grow trees 15-20 feet tall, but can be maintained as low as 4 feet.  Many varieties can be espaliered along a fence.  Apples require ample water and grow well in lawns. 

Notable Pests:  The disease Fireblight is ocassionally a problem with Gala being most susceptible.  Prevent by spraying at bloom time with Agri-fos.  Coddling Moth larve (apple worms) can be prevented with proper thinning, choosing early or late ripening varieties, or by applying Spinosad (organic pesticide). 

Anna  Blooms February.  Large, cylindrical, mostly red fruit with creamy, sweet, tender, crispy white flesh.  Harvest July, but often produces large crop in fall also.  Best eaten fresh (poor shelf life).  Quality ranges from good to excellent.  Often grows fruit the first year.  From Israel. 

Braeburn  Blooms April.  Medium to large green fruit with burgundy stripes.  The crisp flesh is slightly tart.  Excellent fresh or cooked and stores well.  Harvest September-October.  From New Zealand. 

Dorsett Golden  Blooms February. Large, light green fruit is crisp, tender and slightly tart.  Best fresh.  Harvest June-July.  Often has 2nd crop in fall.  From the Bahamas. 

Red Fuji  Blooms April.  Medium to large, slightly flattened fruit with yellowish green skin covered with grayish red stripes.  Very crisp, very juicy flesh that is honey sweet.  Thin heavily for best quality fruit.  Best eaten fresh, but stores very well.  Ripens in October.  From Japan. 

Gala  Blooms April.  Small to medium size fruit with yellow skin and scarlet stripes.  The finely textured flesh is crisp, aromatic and spicy sweet.  Best eaten fresh.  Harvest August-September.  Highly susceptible to fireblight.  From New Zealand. 

Granny Smith  Blooms April.  Medium to large round fruit with yellow-green skin.  The flesh is firm, crisp, juicy and tart.  Eaten fresh or cooked and stores very well.  Harvest November-January.  If the fruit left on the tree until mid-winter it becomes a fabulous sweet yellow apple.  From Australia.  Can get mildew near coast, but is essentially immune to fireblight and worms. 

Jonagold  Blooms April.  Large rounded fruit with yellow skin and red stripes.  The cream colored flesh is firm, crisp and juicy.  Harvest September.  Outstanding fresh or cooked.  Pollinator is recommended. 

Pink Lady  Blooms April.  Small to medium, cylindrical fruit with yellow green skin heavily blushed with rose.  The white flesh is crisp, very sweet and highly flavored.  Harvest October-December.  From Australia. 

Other Apples for OC:  Beverly Hills has decent production and good flavor but ripens quickly. Ein Shemer is somewhat like Dorsett Golden, a sweet yellow apple.   Golden Delicious performs decently. Gordon is a large, round, sweet-tart, mostly green apple discovered in Whittier.   Mollie’s Delicious is a large, Red Delicious type apple (red and yellow skin) than performs well locally. Mutsu is a huge yellow green apple with excellent flavor, but a bit too firm for eating without prior storage.  Almost too vigorous.  Pettingill is a large red/green fruit with decent flavor.  Discovered nearly Long Beach.  Pippin produces a light crop of small apples with excellent flavor. Spitzenberg produces of light crop of small fruit with outstanding flavor. .  Honeycrisp, unfortunately, will only produce decent fruit following an unusually cool winter. 

 

Apricots are reliable producers only in steep canyons and along creek beds where cold winter air settles.  Apricot trees grow 20 feet tall, but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  Production begins the second or third year.  All varieties we offer are self-fertile. 

Goldkist  MCR 300  Large all-purpose fruit with red blushed gold skin and excellent quality firm, mildly flavored orange flesh.  Ripens June.  Tends to develop harmless crack lines of fruit exposed to sun.  Super vigorous grower. 

Royal (Blenheim)  MCR 400-500  Medium to large fruit with yellow-orange skin and flesh.  Very sweet and juicy.  Ripens early summer.  Old-time favorite, but not reliable in most areas.

Tropic Gold  MCR 350  Medium to large fruit, yellow skin with orange blush.  The orange flesh is firm with excellent flavor.  Ripens early summer.  New and needs further evaluation. 

Other Apricots for OC:  Katy has shown spotty performance.  Early Newcastle has done well, but needs more testing.  Autumn Royal has produced decent crops in late summer.

 

Apriums are relatively new hybrids between apricots and plums.  Genetically they are 75% apricot and 25% plum.  They resemble apricots but have a slightly more aromatic flavor. 

Cot-N-Candy  MCR 400.  New.  The medium size fruit resembles an apricot with white flesh.  Sweet and juicy with superb flavor.  Ripens early July.  Self-fertile, but may not produce reliably. 

Flavor Delight  MCR 300.  The small fruit resembles a typical apricot.  Ripens late spring.  Excellent quality.  Self-fertile, but production is unpredictable. 

Cherries generally are unreliable in OC.  The two new varieties listed below are promising, but need further local testing.  The MCR for most cherries is 700 hours. 

Minie Royal  MCR 200-300  Medium size red fruit has firm flesh with good flavor.  Ripens early May.  Requires pollination by Royal Lee. 

Royal Lee  MCR 400-500  Medium size red fruit has firm flesh with excellent flavor.  Ripens mid May.  Requires pollination by Minnie Royal. 

Other Cherries we’ve tried:  Lapins MCR 500 produces well in canyons and inland valleys.  Stella MCR 600 is less reliable but has superior fruit quality.  Lapins and Stella are self-fertile.  Bing and Black Tartarian will rarely fruit. 

 

Figs are reliable producers locally.  All of the varieties we offer are self-fertile.  The MCR is low or nonexistent.  Fig trees can grow 20 feet tall but are easy to maintain at 8 feet with heavy annual pruning in winter.  Many produce a few large fruit in June (Breba crop) with a second heavy crop of smaller fruit from Aug.-Oct.  Production begins the first  year. 

Black Mission  Medium size teardrop-shaped fruit with purple-black skin and strawberry flesh.  Very rich flavor.  Excellent fresh, good dried.  Fruit won’t split open when ripe.  OLD FAVORITE

Brown Turkey  Large bell-shaped fruit with purple-brown skin and very juicy, sweet, light strawberry flesh.  Best eaten fresh.  Natural dwarf tree to about 8 feet tall.  Excellent in containers. 

Flanders  Large, long teardrop-shaped fruit with green and bronze skin with sweet, unusually firm flesh.  Extremely crack resistant.  Excellent eaten fresh.  Top variety from Fresno breeding program. 

Janice Seedless Kadota  Large, greenish-yellow fruit with practically seedless light flesh.  Very good eaten fresh.  Long harvest season.

Panache (Tiger)  Medium size fruit with cream and green striped skin and bright red flesh that tastes like strawberry jam.  Fruit tends to split.  Best away from coastal humidity. 

Peter’s Honey  Medium size rounded fruit with yellow skin and honey-sweet amber flesh.  Smallish tree good in containers. 

Sierra  Medium to large fruit with yellow-green skin and amber flesh.  This NEW fig is of very good quality and can be eaten fresh or dried. 

White Genoa  Medium size fruit with greenish yellow skin and amber to pink flesh.  Good fresh.  Best near coast.

Other Figs for OC:  at least 50 other varieties perform well.  The top-flavored Calimyrna-type figs require caprification (wasp pollinators) and are not practical for home orchards. 

 

Jujubes (Chinese Date) are reliably productive throughout OC, but size, sweetness, and flavor need inland heat.  The fruit ranges from jelly bean to chicken egg in size and shape with reddish-brown skin and crisp, apple-flavored, extremely sweet flesh.  The fruit can be dried.  The highly ornamental, weeping trees can grow 20 feet tall but can be pruned heavily in winter limiting height to under 8 feet.  Juvenile growth is quite thorny.  The thorns can be cut off for safety.  Loves heat and inland conditions.  Trees leaf out late and go dormant early.  Trees are somewhat self-fertile.  Young trees produce better when pollinated with a different variety.  Production begins the first year.  The fruit ripens in fall.  This fruit is highly popular in southern Asia from China to the Middle East.  The processed fruit was originally used to produce candy. 

Contorted  Medium size fruit similar to Li.  The ornamental tree has twisted, contorted branching. 

GA-866  medium size egg-shaped fruit with the sweetest flesh of any Jujube.  The tree is relatively small.  Selected in California. 

Lang  Long, pear-shaped fruit with mahogany-brown skin.  Best left on the tree until fully colored.  The tree is upright.  From China.

Li  Large egg-shaped fruit with mahogany-brown skin.  Mature green fruit will ripen off the tree.  Tree is somewhat short and spreading.  From China.

Sherwood  Very large fruit with notably dense flesh of excellent quality.  Ripens late.  Stores well. Small thorns.  Selected in Louisiana. 

Sugarcane  New variety has round, slightly smaller fruit than Li. 

 

Mulberries are reliable in all areas of OC.  The fruit resembles blackberries and is very sweet when fully ripe.  Excellent fresh, dried, cooked or for preserves.  Ripens summer.  Many varieties will produce additional crops if the foliage on some branches is stripped bare a few weeks following the main harvest.  The fast growing trees are easy-to-grow.  Established trees tolerate poor conditions including drought.  Wildlife can make a mess with the black-fruited varieties. 

Black Beauty (Persian)  Large black fruit with sweet, flavorful flesh.  Unripe fruit is quite tart.  This semidwarf variety should stay under 15 feet, but can be trained as a bush under 5 feet.  Persian mulberry trees leaf out in mid-spring.

Pakistan Red  Very long, maroon fruit up to 4 inches in length with very sweet flesh.  Fruit can be eaten well before fully ripe.  The juice doesn’t stain.  Ripens late spring-early summer.  The tree can grow 20-30 feet.  Heavy summer pruning will control size. 

Teas Weeping  Small sweet black fruit of excellent quality.  Heavy production.  This small tree will weep to the ground.  It is a novelty and popular in children’s gardens. 

White  Medium size, mildly sweet creamy white fruit.  This tree can grow well over 30 feet tall and wide. 

 

Nectarines include just a few varieties that perform reliably in OC.  Fortunately 2 of the varieties are among the best eating of all Nectarines.  Although nectarines are genetically identical to peaches, in addition to their smooth skin they have a different texture.  All listed varieties are self-fertile.  Standard trees grow 15 feet tall.  All can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  The fruit must be thinned within a month after the bloom to get better quality and decent size.  Notable Pests:  Nectarines should be sprayed every winter for Peach Leaf Curl disease  with lime sulfur spray and may require Oriental Fruit Moth worm control with Spinosad.  These organic products are quite effective.  Excess nitrogen fertilizer can cause the fruit to rot (Brown Rot) just as it ripens. 

Arctic Star  MCR 300.  Fruit has dark red skin and white semi-freestone flesh.  Super sweet mild flavor.  Outstanding.  Ripens mid June.  Best away from coast. 

Panamint  MCR 250.  Small to medium size fruit with red skin and golden flesh.  Freestone.  Good flavor.  Ripens July. 

Snow Queen  MCR 250-300.  White freestone flesh with excellent sweet, juicy flavor.  Outstanding.  Harvest late June. 

Other Nectarines for OC:  Desert Delight MCR 200 and Double Delight MCR 300 produce well, but suffer heavily from thrips damage (treatable).  Goldmine MCR 400, is an excellent, white-fleshed variety that ripens in August but requires a cooler than normal winter. 

 

Nectaplum is a new hybrid between nectarine and plum.  The fruit shows both parents.  The flavor is both spicy and sweet. 

Spice Zee  MCR?  The fruit is sweet with a strong flavor.  The bloom is attractive.  New leaves are red and gradually turn green.  No pollinator needed.  This variety needs local testing.   

 

Peaches include a number of reliable producers of excellent quality.  The majority of peaches that are promoted for our climate, in reference books, are bland in flavor due to the fact that most low chill peaches ripen in the late spring which is often overcast.  These peaches are better suited for Florida or Arizona where it is hot in spring.  Our best tasting peaches ripen in mid summer when warm sunny days are guaranteed. 

        Production begins 2nd or 3rd year.  All listed varieties are self fertile.  Standard trees grow 15 feet tall.  All can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  The fruit must be thinned within a month after the bloom to get better quality and decent size.  Notable Pests:  Peaches should be sprayed every winter for Peach Leaf Curl disease  with lime sulfur spray and may require Oriental Fruit Moth worm control with Spinosad.  These organic products are quite effective. 

August Pride  MCR 275  Large round fruit with yellow skin and yellow flesh.  Good to excellent quality.  Freestone, all-purpose fruit ripens mid to late July. 

Babcock  MCR 250.  Medium size fruit with red-blushed white skin and white flesh.  Honey sweet and juicy.  Excellent quality.  Semi-freestone.  Best fresh.  Ripens early July.  

Bonita  MCR 350.  Huge, round fruit with red-blushed yellow skin and yellow flesh.  Firm freestone with excellent flavor.  Ripens late July.  The flowers are homely. 

Donut  MCR 200-500.  Unique flat, bagel-shaped, small to medium size fruit with sunken center.  White flesh with mild sweet flavor with a hint of almond.  Ripens early July. 

Long Beach Peach  MCR 200.  Medium to large fruit with red skin and yellow flesh.  The fine flavored, freestone flesh is firm, sweet and juicy.  Ripens from late May to early June.  NEW!

Red Baron  MCR 250-300.  Large fruit with yellow skin and flesh.  The fruit has a small “beak”.  Excellent quality freestone flesh.  Ripens mid to late July.  Spectacular spring show of carnation-like double rose-red flowers.  OUR BEST PEACH! 

Tri-lite MCR?  This is a peach-plum hybrid that mostly resembles peach.  Medium size fruit with firm, white flesh.  Ripens early summer.  Holds on tree unusually well.  Good fresh and cooked.  This variety needs to be trialed. 

Tropic Snow  MCR 200.  Large fruit with red-blushed pale skin and white flesh.  The sweet freestone flesh is very good to excellent.  Ripens mid-June. 

Other peaches for OC:  Eva’s Pride and Mid Pride usually perform well.  Desertgold, Earligrand, Floridaprince and Ventura produce heavily with lower quality fruit. 

 

Pears include a few reliable producers but only one excellent variety.  There are 3 types of pears.  The most familiar are the European pears such as Bartlett, Bosc, d Anjou, and Comice.  European pears rarely produce in OC.  Asian pears include Hosui, Shinseiki and Twentieth Century.  These tender, but crispy pears perform well in a few colder winter locations.  Many Hybrid pears have performed well in OC but most are not very tasty.  Pears make take 4 years to start production.  Standard pear trees can reach 20 feet tall but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  Most pears should be harvested while still firm and ripened indoors.  Pear trees tolerate heavy wet soils quite well. 

Notable Pests:  The disease Fireblight is ocassionally a problem.  Prevent by spraying at bloom time with Agri-fos.  Coddling Moth larve (apple worms) can be prevented with proper thinning or by applying Spinosad (organic pesticide). 

Floridahome  MCR 400.  This hybrid has medium size fruit with greenish yellow skin and sweet, juicy, white flesh.  Good to very good quality.  Ripens mid-July.  From Florida.  Normally planted as a pollinator for Hood. 

Hood  MCR 100-200.  This hybrid has large pear-shaped fruit with greenish-yellow skin and juicy, tender white flesh.  Good to excellent quality.  Ripens late July.  Hood is partially self-fertile and will produce fruit without a pollinator.  With a pollinator the fruit is smaller, more evenly shaped, and more numerous. 

Other pears for OC: Comice is supposed to do well but I’ve only seen 1 crop in 25 years. Fan-Stil, Kieffer, Monterrey, Moonglow, and Orient, all hybrids, have produced decentlyl with fair quality fruit.  Of the Asian pears Twentieth Century seems to be the closest to being reliable and is self-fertile. 

 

Persimmons are reliable producers throughout OC.  The main concern is that they all require soil with a high oxygen content (superb drainage).  Most varieties are self-fertile.  Persimmon trees can grow 30 feet tall but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  Production begins within 4 years. 

     Many persimmons are astringent until fully (jelly) ripe.  This is a very unpleasant sensation.  Your mouth feels like its full of powdered clay.  The Fuyu-types are non-astringent and can be eaten while still hard. 

        There are 2 methods to alleviate the astringency besides just waiting.  One method is to place the ripe fruit in a freezer for one day.  When you thaw the flesh it is edible.  The other method is to place the ripe fruit in an airtight container (zip-lock bag is fine) after pouring a few drops of an alcoholic beverage (sake is traditional) on the stem end.  The fruit is edible after being enclosed a day or two. 

Chocolate  Small to medium size oblong orange-red fruit.  When pollinated the orange flesh becomes seedy and brown.  The soft flesh has a chocolate-cinnamon flavor and is astringent until ripe. 

Coffeecake (Nishimura Wase)  Medium size, slightly flattened, round fruit with orange skin and orange flesh flecked with brown.  The flesh is non-astringent if the flowers are pollinated.  (Chocolate is a good pollinator.)  Unpollinated fruit is astringent until ripe and less flavorful.  Ripens early fall. 

Giant Fuyu  The very large deep orange fruit has a flattened top and a rounded bottom.  The flesh is non-astringent and quite good.  Trees take years to become productive. 

Hachiya  Very large, oblong-conical fruit with orange red skin and flesh.  It is astringent until jelly ripe.  The excellent flavor is rich and sweet.  Ripens mid to late fall.  Eaten fresh, dried or for baking.  This is the persimmon sold at most supermarkets. 

Imoto Fuyu  Large flattened, slightly quartered, fruit with dark orange skin and flesh.  The non-astringent seedless flesh is sweet and mellow with a slight cinnamon flavor.  Can be eaten while crispy or allowed to ripen until soft.  Harvest early to mid fall.  This variant of Fuyu appears to be quite precocious, but less vigorous and perhaps shorter-lived than Jiro Fuyu. 

Izu Fuyu  Medium to large flattened round fruit with orange skin and flesh.  The non-astringent flesh is sweet and mellow.  Ripens late summer, much earlier than other Fuyus. 

Jiro Fuyu  Identical to Imoto in appearance and flavor.  The flesh is a bit crispier and the tree is more vigorous, but seems to take a few more years to start production.  This is the most common commercial Fuyu. 

 

Plums tend to be unpredictable producers and only a few varieties are reasonably reliable in OC.  Production begins within 4 years.  Standard plum trees can reach 30 feet tall but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  There are no genetic dwarf varieties that perform well locally. 

Beauty  MCR 250.  Small to medium size fruit with red and greenish yellow skin.  The red flesh is sweet and flavorful.  The fruit ripens quickly and becomes a little water balloon.  Harvest May-June.  Self-fertile. 

Burgundy  MCR 350.  Medium to large fruit with dark burgundy skin and firm dark red flesh.  Sweet and mellow with a small pit.  It has an extended harvest in July.  Self-fertile and the best pollinator for other plums and pluots. 

Catalina  MCR 400  Large fruit, similar to Burgundy, but ripens a few weeks later. 

Green Gage  MCR 300-600  Medium size rounded fruit with greenish-yellow skin and flesh.  The flesh is sweet, juicy and highly flavored.  Ripens in July. 

Santa Rosa  MCR 350.  Medium to large fruit with purplish skin and amber flesh tinted red.  Juicy and sweet with a tart skin.  Ripens June.  Self-fertile.  MOST POPULAR.

Satsuma  MCR 275.  Small to medium round fruit with maroon blushed greenish skin and deep red flesh.  The sweet flesh has a mild flavor.  Harvest July.  Supposedly requires a pollinator, but seems to be self-fertile.  This is the original “blood” plum and is quite reliable.

Weeping Santa Rosa  MCR 400.  Large oval fruit with purple skin and yellow flesh.  Superb flavor.  The weeping tree only grows 8-10 feet tall. 

Other plums for OC:  Methley is similar to Beauty with red fruit.  Elephant Heart, Golden Nectar, Howard Miracle and Mariposa are all wonderful plums with MCR 400+ that produce well about once in 5 years. 

 

Pluots are relatively new hybrids that are winning most fruit tasting tests.  Pluots genetically are 75% plum and 25% apricot.  They taste like plums but are sweeter and have firmer flesh with a shelf life that approaches 1 month!  Pluots require pollination by another pluot variety or plum.  Burgundy plum and Flavor Grenade pluot are the most reliable pollinators.  (Flavor Grenade may not pollinate Flavor King.  Flavor King is best pollinated by Dapple Dandy or Burgundy plum.)  (Flavor Grenade can be pollinated by Dapple Dandy, Emerald Drop or Flavor King.) 

Emerald Drop  MCR 400.  Medium to large greenish yellow fruit with orange flesh.  The firm and juicy flesh is honey sweet with outstanding flavor.  Harvest mid-July through August.  Flavor Grenade should pollinate.  NEW!

Flavor Grenade  MCR 300-400.  Elongated greenish yellow fruit with red stripes and blush.  The flesh is crisp with incredibly powerful flavor.  Excellent hang time on tree. 

Flavor King  MCR 400-500.  Large fruit with maroon skin and deep red flesh.  Outstanding flavor.  Harvest August. 

Splash  MCR 400.  Small, round red-orange fruit with orange flesh.  Very sweet fresh or dried with outstanding flavor.  Harvest early to late July.  Flavor Grenade should pollinate.  NEW!

Other pluots:  Dapple Dandy, Geo Pride and Flavorosa are fair producers.  Flavor Queen rarely produces.  Dapple Dandy and Flavor Queen both have superb flavor. 

 

Pomegranates are easy to grow in OC.  Flavor and sweetness are best in warmer inland areas.  All are self-fertile.  Heavy production begins the 4th year.  Ripens fall.  Pomegranate trees can grow 15 feet tall but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  Pomegranate trees are highly ornamental and the attractive orange red flowers bloom for several months.  Water consistently or fruit will split before ripening.  Beware of the sharp spines that form at branch tips. 

Ambrosia  Huge round fruit with rosy golden skin and bright carmine flesh.  Very good sweet-tart flavor.  Excellent quality even near the coast. 

Angel Red  Large, round bright red fruit resembling Wonderful but with soft seeds and ripens 1 month earlier.  There is also a significantly higher juice to pulp ratio. 

Eversweet  Medium size fruit with pale pink skin and pale red, non-staining flesh.  Very sweet and mellow.  The very soft seeds and membranes are also edible.  Ripens mid September.  Semi dwarf tree to 8-10 feet tall.  Good near coast.

Garnet Sash  Large fruit with dark red skin and deep red, sweet-tart flesh.  The seeds are somewhat edible.  The vigorous tree is a heavy producer. 

Kashmir Blend  Medium size fruit with light rose skin and ruby flesh.  Intense flavor but not overly tart. 

Pink Satin  Medium to large fruit with pink to red skin and light pink flesh with edible seeds.  The non-staining juice has a sweet, fruit-punch flavor. 

Red Silk  Medijm to large fruit with brilliant red skin.  Large edible seeds with sweet berry flavor.  Semi-dwarf spreading tree.

Sharp Velvet  Large fruit with dark red skin and dark flesh.  Unique mildly acid flavor.  Upright plant.

Sweet  Large fruit with pinkish green skin and light red flesh.  Sweet and mellow flavor with soft seeds.  Ripens early fall. 

Wonderful  Large round fruit with red skin and ruby flesh.  Excellent sweet-tart flavor.  Ripens late fall.  THE COMMERCIAL POMEGRANATE.

 

Quinces do well in OC.  The large pear-shaped fruit has fuzzy skin and extremely firm flesh.  It is usually cooked and made into pies, jams and jellies.  Production begins by the 2nd or 3rd year.  Quince trees can grow 15 feet tall but can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall.  Quince trees tolerate poor conditions.  Fireblight is a preventable disease that can cause major damage to the tree.

Smyrna  Very large fruit with yellow skin and tender light yellow flesh.  Ripens fall.  Good to very good quality.  From Turkey.