Fruit Tree Selection Guide
A quick guide to selecting the best tree for you and your region.
PLANNING:
Can the trees I want to plant grow in your local climate?
The things to consider are:
- Frosts - how hard, how early and how late can they be expected during an average year, length of growing season (frost free days).
- Amount of winter chill, this is the number of hours below 7oC.
- Frequency of wet or humid spring weather.
- Exposure to harsh or cold winds.
Are there limitations or advantages with my home site?
The things to consider are:
- How much sunlight will my fruit get?
- Are there drainage issues?
- Is my soil suitable or will I need to add fertillisers, compost, gypsum etc before I can grow my fruit successfully?
- How much shelter will I need to give my plant?
- Have I got the space to grow it?
- Is there a warm, sheltered and sunny spot, such as under the eaves on a north facing wall, that will allow me to grow a fruit tree?
Here is a guide to the best tree varieties for the three main regions of NZ:
Northern NZ...Climate: Semi subtropical. Humid and warm. few frosts during winter. Best suits low chill varieties. |
Mid NZ...Climate: Temperate. Frosts during winter. Warm summers |
Southern NZ...Climate: Temperate. Regular frosts and possible snow during winter and spring. Warm summers. Cool autumns. |
| APPLES: Low chill varieties; Baujade, Egremont Russet, Freyberg, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Initial, Kidd's Orange Red, Oratia Beauty, Peasgood Nonsuch, Tydeman's Late Orange, Winter Banana, Worcester Pearmain. | All varieties. Recommended Rezista varieties with natural disease resistance and heritage varieties. Initial, Baujade, Prima, Priscilla, Peasgood Nonsuch, Monty's Surprise | |
| Apricots: Low chill varieties; Katy Cot, Royal Rosa, Trevatt. | All Varieties. Recommended Moorpark, Trevatt, Royal Rosa, Dwarf varieties Aprigold and Golden Glow. | |
| Avocados: All Varieties; Hass, Reed. | All varieties. Protect from frosts. | Generally not suitable except for frost free micro-climates. |
| Cherries: Lapins | All Varieties. Recommended; Stella, Lapins. | |
| Citrus: All varieties. | All Varieties but less hardy varieties like Limes must be protected from frost. | Hardier varieties like Lemon Meyer, Grapefruit Golden Special, Mandarin Miho. Grow other varieties in podt and bring under cover in winter. |
| Dwarf stone fruit: All varieties | All varieties except Rose Chiffon | |
| Feijoas: All varieties. Recommended; Anatoki, Kaiteri, Apollo, Wiki Tu. | All varieties. Recommended; Anatoki, Kaiteri, Apollo, Wiki Tu. | Early season varieties; Anatoki, Kaiteri, Unique, Pounamu. |
| Figs: All varieties. | Early varieties. Brown Turkey, Brunswick. | |
| Loquats: All varieties. Recommended; Wiki Gold. | ||
| Medlars: Suitable for all areas. | ||
| Nashi: All varieties. Recommended; Hosui, Nijiseiki. | ||
| Nectarines: Fantasia, Snow Queen. | All Varieties. Fantasia, Queen Giant, Red Gold, Theo Ching. | |
| Olives: All Varieties. | Hardy varieties; Frantoio, Leccino. | |
| Peaches: Blackboy, Golden Queen, Redhaven, Wiggins. | All Varieties. Recommended; April White, Blackboy, Gordon's Glory, Redhaven. | |
| Pears: Winter Cole. | All varieties. Recommended; Beurre Bosc, Packham's Triumph, Taylors Gold. | |
| Persimmons: All varieties. Recommended; Fuyu. | ||
| Plums: Low chill varieties; Burbank, Damson, Duff's Early Jewel, Elephant Heart, Purple King, Santa Rosa, Satsuma, Torwick. | All varieties. Recommended; Black Doris, Burbank, Elephant Heart, Omega, Santa Rosa. Prune Plums: Italian, Stanley. |
|
| Quinces: All varieties. Recommended; Smyrna, Van Deman. | ||
| Sapote: All varieties. Recommended; Wiki Woo. | ||
| Almonds: Low chill varieties; All-in-One, Dwarf Garden Prince. | Almonds: Low chill varieties; All-in-One, Dwarf Garden Prince, Monovale. | Not recommended due to the high risk of very early spring flowers being frosted. |
| Chestnuts: All varieties. Recommended; 1002, 1005, 1015. | ||
| Hazlenuts: Not suitable in high humidity. | All varieties. | |
| Macadamias: All varieties. | All varieties but protect from frost. | Not suitable due to frost tenderness. |
| Pecans: Not recommended due to high chilling requirements. | All varieties. | |
| Pinenuts: Suitable for all areas. | ||
| Walnuts: All varieties, though high humidity can cause disease problems. | All varieties. | |
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