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…

Anna Apples - Early July Photo - from L.E. Cooke Orchard Question: I've never owned fruit trees and now have an Anna's Apple tree. It's late Oct. and I have a load of apples on my 5' tree. I have read that I need to prune but all of the sites I've been to on the net show tree pruning on tree's without leaves or apples. Should I prune off the apples and branches? Help!!!…

Question: 3years ago I bought a Sherwood jujube from Doan's Nursery in Irving, TX. It had tags from your farm. While it has grown well and flowered profusely in the last two years it has not made any fruit. I read somewhere that another variety planted close by might help. Is this true and if so what variety would you recommend? Thanks a bunch in advance. Ruven - Flower Mound, TX. Sherwood Jujube Answer: This…

Question: How do i care for a black mission fig tree in the winter i live in long island new york and what is the best location to plant this tree also can i plant this tree now. John Answer: I am amazed at the number of figs that we ship into Long Island as well as New York, New Jersey and other areas where figs really should not be grown. That's right - the…

Question: Hello..I am interested in growing cherry trees in my orchard in the Dallas area. My favorites are the Rainier cherry & the Bing cherry. I am interested in puchasing them from you, but I was wondering if you know how well they will grow in my area.Please let me know. Lance Answer: I wish I could give you a confident "go ahead" but I cannot. Over the years I have had wholesale growers in…