Fruit trees are common in gardens but they are less commonly managed to produce fruit. Yet this is quite easy, and arguably increases the ornamental value of the trees too. Not all tree work contractors are familiar with the pruning and management of fruit trees. Get a specialist if you can find one or do the work yourself if you can manage it.

Many gardens have room for several fruit trees. For instance, in a commercial orchard, an apple tree occupying no more than about 2m² produces about 10kg of fruit. 

For more information on fruit, advice on varieties and many useful links, go to www.orangepippin.com

Environmental benefits of fruit trees

Many of the environmental benefits of non-fruit trees (see Arboriculture and sustainability) also apply to fruit trees, while the home production of fruit has further benefits if harvested:

1. Food miles: The fruit you grow is unlikely to have consumed any fuel oil in travelling to your table.

2. Chemical residues: Naturally there are none if you don’t apply chemicals. In fact your cultural practices are probably better than ‘organic’.

3. Well-being and good health: Fruit can be picked at full ripeness and consumed at perfect freshness, and home consumption is otherwise promoted, for example by providing a range of non-commercial varieties with interesting eating qualities.

4. Exercise: Fruit-growing is a wholesome pastime that demands physical activity.

5. Education: The more you learn the more you appreciate, and children also learn a little about where food comes from.

6. Profit. If home consumption is appreciable you save money, the more so as food prices are set to increase. Several varieties together provide a range of ripening periods, yielding fresh fruit for several months of the year. If you can sell some of your produce, so much the better. Similarly, a consumable gift from your own garden will be well-received and avoids that extra shopping trip!