Question: I live in Austin, tx zone 8. Alkaline, shallow clay soil with hot, dry summers. Would the Pakistan, Black Beauty or Persian mulberry do well here? Which would you recommend. I tend to like fruit on the sweeter side.Do you also have a local retail nursery you can recommend in the area ? Thank you. Asha - Austin, TX Answer: I think your comment about hot, dry summers is an understatement based upon this…

Question: Hi, I just bought a "4-in-one semi dwarf pear for regions with under 500 hrs of chill" grown by you from my local nursery. There is a branch growing low, below all of the grafting. Is this something that will produce or should I prune it off? If it needs pruning, when is the best time to do this? I plan to espalier it later, is there any reason I cannot?Thanks,Leo L. San Antonio,…

Question: My Landscaper planted a tree for me. The red tag on it just reads Betula Birch. Is there any easy way for me to tell which Bertula this is ?Thank You Thomas M. - Levittown, NY Answer: Easiest way is to ask your landscaper. (Obviously it did not come from us or else it would have had a tag with the full identity on it.) Otherwise you get to play detective and probably wait…

Question: I recently purchased one of your 4-n-1 moderate climate apple trees from a local nursery. I'm interested in knowing if they're self-pollinating or do I need two? James, San Antonio, TX Answer: James, as much as I am sure the local nursery would like to sell you another one, you will not need two. Not only are three of the individual varieties (Gala, Early Summer Red, Granny Smith) self fertile, they will pollinate each…

Question: Looking for a retail source for the 'Black Beauty' Mulberry. Somewhere in the Bay Area? Much thanks, Nick - Ukiah, CA Answer: Wow - second question today looking for fruiting mulberries. They are a hot commodity. Morus nigra 'Black Beauty' is a popular one both for its taste and that the tree is a smaller growing tree. Here are some nurseries within reasonable distance from you that received Black Beauty Mulberry trees this January:…

Question: Hello, In the 1990's I purchased a Persian fruiting mulberry tree from a nursery called Xotics Tropico on La Brea Ave in L.A. run by a gentleman named Leon of which I would presently like to obtain another of the same variety.I have the tag from it and it has the number 1409640 6-8' (Morus Nigra) also with #1 grease penciled on the end of the tag. Is that exact strain still available after…

Question:  Fruit trees require a certain amount of  "chill hours" to produce fruit. What exactly is a "chill hour" ?  Below what temperature is considered a chill hour? Joan - Magnolia Texas Answer:  Hi Joan, Let me point you to another post that may answer your question: Chill Hours Ron L.

Question: Is there such a thing as seedless blackberries? If so where can I find some plants right away.Thanks so much for your time, and your great website.Belinda - Lindsay, CA Berry farm worker picking blackberries. Answer: I wish!!! I thought the industry was doing well with all the new, yummy THORNLESS blackberry choices. To the best of my knowledge, there is no seedless blackberry plants - at least not that is worth eating. Given…

Question: Is there a variety of grape called Lady Fingers?Is the Thompson Seedless often referred to as a lady finger? Betty - Fresno, CA Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes there is a grape called Ladyfinger. In fact, we have in our orchards two selections of Ladyfinger. For years we have been growing the Ladyfinger Calmeria selection and we are now half way through the process of converting our production over to the Ladyfinger…

Question: Do chill hours increase in dwarf fruit trees over what they are for the same variety in standard size tree? Maureen - Lakeland, Florida Answer: Maureen, good question. To the best of my knowledge dwarfing rootstock or semi-dwarfing rootstocks do not change the chill requirements on the fruit trees. On the other hand, dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstocks often cause the tree to fruit earlier in its life (often called making it precocious) so I…