What kind of fruit trees can successfully grow and fruit in Austin tx area?

General Fruit Growing
1

Hi, all. I want to send few fruit trees to Austin TX as a gift. Besides fig, persimmon, pomegranate, loquat, those southern fruit trees, I am wondering if any Asian pears, apples will set fruit in Austin? If so, please recommend cultivars as well. Thanks

2

Asian pears should do well. Try 'Hosuiā€™, ā€˜Shinkoā€™, and ā€˜Shin Li".

Apples are hard. ā€˜Galaā€™ and ā€˜Fujiā€™ are typically recommended, but whoever is in Austin may have better luck with ā€˜Mollieā€™s Deliciousā€™ and ā€˜Williamā€™s Prideā€™. Typically M111 is the recommended rootstock for the area.

Blackberries do well here. The ā€œKiowaā€ variety is king.

2 Likes
3

Sorry for the double post. Regarding apples in Austin, you may also be interested in this thread too:

1 Like
4

Iā€™m in 8A central Arizona. Currently growing 300 or so types of apples. All on M111. What has done exceptionally well here so far is Rubinette, King David, Gold Rush, Hawaii, Granny Smith, Winecrisp, Enterprise, Mother, Sweet Bough, Hawkeye, Arkansas Black and Orleans. For flavor though the first 4 I listed were absolutely amazing. Other varieties Iā€™ve heard do well there would be Summer Champion, Dixie Red Delight, and Reverend Morgan.

1 Like
5

@Vault22dweller ļ¼Œ Brian, thank you for the inputs. I read the thread above as well.
I gathered that Asian pears have no difficult of set fruits in Austin area in general. And some apple cultivars can set fruits as well. M111 is recommended rootstock due to its drought resistance. Do you know any Dwarf rootstocks that works well in Austin area? Itā€™s a small backyard, dwarf fruit trees might be a better option to fit in a neighborhood and easier to manage

1 Like
6

I had luck with G.41 west of Austinā€¦until the squirrels or something ate the bark and girdled the trees. They were my Arkansas black trees and I was expected set on them that year. :cry:

1 Like
7

Given the poor soil, high summer heat, and lack of chilling, apples on M111 probably wonā€™t get very big. My Goldrush on 111 is tiny. at most 7x6x6ft. Iā€™ve moved to seedling rootstock. My biggest apples unpruned have been maybe 15ft tall most 10 ft.

4 Likes
8

The lady Janā€¦ of Jans Best mulberry is in zone 9b Florida. It produces loads of nice mulberries multiple flushes yearly.

No spray.

Perhaps it would work for zone 9a Austin.

TNHunter

1 Like
9

That would honestly explain some things :slight_smile: . My M111 trees seem sluggish to grow. I prefer the Genva rootstocks over it.
Itā€™s what is typically recommended though and easier to find.

Iā€™ve got some apple seedlings I have started, and Iā€™m planning on grafting them when they get bigger.

2 Likes
10

Steven , what you said makes a lit of sense. Each location not only has climate differences , but also has soil structure differences to influence the growing habits. Appreciate your response and sharing local fruit treeā€™s growing experiences.

1 Like
11

Trev, mulberry is a must to have. Frankly, amount all the berries and fruit trees, imo, mulberry tree is easiest to grow, and the berries are among the sweetest in stone/ pom fruits or raspberries/black berries

1 Like
12

Of pears, Monterrey, Hood, and Le Conte are viable for the climate, especially low chill hours. Best performance is likely on a vigorous rootstock.

13

Thanks for the inputs, Darrel. It looks like that in general more vigorous rootstocks are needed in area that has less than ideal growth condition. Is Pyrus betulaefolia a good rootstock to use in Austin area? I am planning on sending a Asian pear Akizuki