Tree inventory

Letters match the map above. Tap any variety for pollination, harvest, and variety notes in the Tree Encyclopedia.

• A: Van Sweet Cherry (Dwarf) sick
• B: North Star Sour Cherry (Dwarf)
• C: Bartlett Pear (Dwarf)
• D: Wolf River "1881" Apple (Semi-Dwarf)
• E: Chojuro Asian Pear (Semi-Dwarf)
• F: Montmorency Cherry (Dwarf) sick
• G: Carolina Belle Peach (Dwarf)
• H: Golden Delicious Apple (Dwarf)
• I: Seckel Pear (Dwarf)
• J: Pipestone Plum (Semi-Dwarf)
• K: Stanley Plum (Semi-Dwarf)
• L: Golden Delicious Apple (Semi-Dwarf) sick

Pollination cheat sheet

How our trees work together — not every tree can go it alone:

• Apples (D, H, L): Wolf River (D) and Golden Delicious (H, L) pollinate each other. Plant replacements in pairs.
• Pears (C, E, I): Bartlett (C) and Seckel (I) help each other. Chojuro (E) needs Bartlett or another Asian pear.
• Cherries (A, B, F): Van sweet (A) needs a second sweet cherry we don't have yet — replace with a sweet if A dies. North Star (B) and Montmorency (F) are self-fertile sours.
• Peach (G): Self-fertile — no partner needed.
• Plums (J, K): Stanley (K) is self-fertile. Pipestone (J) needs an American or Canadian plum — Stanley may not be enough.

Harvest calendar

Rough order for Zone 5a — see the encyclopedia for ripeness cues per tree.

• June: A, B, F — cherries
• July: G (peach); pears starting (C)
• August: C, I (pears); E (Asian pear); J (plum); apples beginning (D)
• September–October: K (plum); D, H, L (apples)

Caring for the orchard

Replacing or adding a tree

• Remove old roots and debris; test soil pH (6.0–7.0 ideal).
• Dig holes twice the root-ball width; water in well.
• Amend with compost. Mulch 3–4″ deep, keeping 6″ clear of trunks.
• Stake dwarfs and semi-dwarfs if wind is a concern.

Watering

• Target 1–2″ per week, deep and slow — more during July–August fruit swell.
• Use the drip lines; check moisture 6″ down before assuming they're wet.
• Cherries and peaches: steady moisture prevents cracking. Avoid wetting leaves.
• Apples and pears: regular water while fruit sizes; established trees tolerate brief dry spells.

Fertilizing

• Balanced 10-10-10 or organic: early spring, post-harvest, and mid-summer for peaches.
• Spread under the drip line; half strength on young trees.
• Go easy on nitrogen for cherries and peaches; pears appreciate potassium for sweetness.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (late winter) unless noted. Open the canopy for air and light.

• Cherries: Vase shape; remove 20–30% of new growth.
• Pears: Central leader; thin crowded branches. Asian pears (E) may need extra thinning.
• Apples: Central leader; 20–30% annually. Keep Wolf River (D) manageable.
• Peaches & plums: Open center; up to 50% renewal pruning each year.
• Summer: Thin overloaded fruit for better size (especially peaches).

Pests & disease

• IPM first: monitor, cultural fixes, then organics.
• Common: aphids (soap spray), borers (prune out), fungal issues (airflow + cleanup).
• Net cherries and peaches against birds when fruit ripens.
• Tree-specific active issues are in Health watch and the encyclopedia.

Weeds

Keep a 3–4′ weed-free ring around each trunk. Refresh mulch when it thins out in summer.

Seasonal checklist

    Spring: Fertilize; watch blooms for frost (cover if needed).
    Summer: Water deeply; thin and harvest; monitor pests; net fruit.
    Fall: Clean debris; light fertilizer; refresh mulch; trunk guards for rodents.
    Winter: Dormant pruning; dormant oil spray.

Troubleshooting

• Poor fruit set: Pollination gap — see cheat sheet above or the encyclopedia.
• Yellow leaves: Water or nutrient stress — test soil, check irrigation.
• Cracked fruit: Uneven watering — mulch and keep schedule steady.
• Low yields: Trees are still young; expect more after 3–5 years with good pruning.
• Sick trees: See health watch; call an arborist if it spreads or worsens.