Alternative Fruit Trees/Shrubs for the Home Gardener
November 17th, 2010Fruit Log
We are very excited to “unveil” a new alternative fruit log. The log will record our findings from a test project to assess alternative fruit crops for central Maine gardeners. The Cooperative Extension has noted that many Maine gardeners have experienced difficulty growing apples because of space or pest issues. This project will measure traits of 5 alternative fruit species suitable for backyard gardens.
This project was made possible by a grant received from the Somerset Heart Health. We THANK them for their generosity!
Click on the pictures below to get a larger view.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) York #4
Obliquebanded Leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on Native Plum
There were no Japanese Beetles on the trees/shrubs this time. I noticed that they had moved to the Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis). I had a Master Gardener Volunteer tell me that she had noticed that the beetles had gone to the primrose in her yard as well, potential trap crop???
Interesting to note that # 6 PawPaw’s seems to be much stronger then #5, likewise with #7 Gogi Berry (L. barbarum) appearing much healthier than # 8. Time will tell….we will be updating this log regularly, so stay tuned!
Gogi Berry (Lycium barbarum) #7: Healthy
Gogi Berry (Lycium barbarum) #8: Poor health
August 5th 2010
Hickory-Tussock-Moth (Lophocampa-caryae)
Question of the week is: what is the caterpillar on the Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa)? Stay tuned to learn its identity!
The caterpillar was identified as the Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae)–so if that’s what you thought, you’re right!
Here are some pictures of the shrub/trees taken today:
Dying Gogi Berry (Lycium barbarum) #8
Concerning holes and leaf discoloration on leaves of PawPaw (Asimina spp.)
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Nova #3: Healthy
August 24th 2010
Pear Slug (Caliroa cerasi) on Native Plum (Prunus americana) #13
A brief monitoring of the trees found that Native Plum #13 was covered in Pear Slugs (Caliroa cerasi). Native Plum #9 had one pear slug as well. I picked the pear slugs off but I will continue to monitor the trees for further infestations.
Good example of how monitoring plants is a great first step in avoiding larger problems down the road; it’s much easier to take care of small numbers of pests then a large number of them.
Here is a comparison of how much the trees/shrubs grew in about a month and a half: Fruit Tree Grant
September 29th 2010
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Nova & York: Infested with Twospotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Milkweed bugs are not a threat to the fruit trees/shrubs but a curiosity that was found near the tree/shrubs. A good bug for Valentines Day!
Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmi)
Happy to report that Gogi Berry (Lycium barbarum) is ALIVE and starting to grow again!!!
Gogi Berry (Lycium barbarum) #8
October 26th 2010
I probably should have covered this a long time ago–what is the difference between a tree and a shrub? Well there is no easy answer to this question. I went to the expert, UMaine Extension Specialist in Ornamental Horticulture, Lois Berg-Stack. Lois had this to contribute, but did agree it is “wishy washy”.
Shrubs are generally 25′ or shorter, and multi-stemmed. That “multi-stemmed” character may be either multiple stems emerging from the ground, or one stem emerging from the ground and branching into major scaffold branches close to the ground.
There are of course many exceptions to this, including:
1-Clump birches are still thought of as trees.
2-Some plants can be managed as either. For example, some viburnums can be limbed up into small trees.
3-Some plants naturally grow into multiple forms. For example, river birch is generally considered to be a tree, but one cultivar, ‘Little Kin’, is very low-growing and forms a multi-stemmed colony.
4-Crabapples are generally trees, but one cultivar, ‘Tina’, doesn’t exceed 8 feet in height.
5-And what about poplars in nature, which form huge colonies of “trees”, all connected below ground?”
Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) #10 Leaves changing color
Many of the trees/shrubs starting to turn color and lose their leaves–winter is coming….
A curiosity found near Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) #12. Who do you suppose made this hole?
Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) #12: Somebody's New Home?
November 12th 2010
All of the trees/shrubs have been tagged. You are always welcome to come “visit” the trees/shrubs.
Example of the tags used to distinguish the trees/shrubs
Almost all of the trees/shrubs have lost their leaves.
Something (deer???) took some bites out of Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Nova #3.
Native Plums (Prunus amaricana) have a beautiful red color to their bark and leaf veins throughout the summer, but very striking in the fall.
Nanking Cherries have lost all their top leaves but seem to put out some new growth close to the ground.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Nova #3: Signs of predation...
Native Plum (Prunus americana) displays a nice red color in the fall
Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) #10: October 26th New Growth
December 1st, 2010
All of the trees have lost there leaves except #4 Elderberry, York.
This will be the last entry for this year. Look for the log to continue in March 2011.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) #4 York Still Has Leaves, December 1st 2010
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