Looking Forward to a Fruitful Season

Fruit trees are back! You've been asking for them over the last few years, and we're bringing them to you again this season.

While there's the obvious benefit of your very own fresh, firm apples, pears, cherries and plums for both eating and cooking, fruit trees are being used for many other functions in the landscape. One of the latest uses is to bring wildlife into your yard. Apples will attract deer, birds, and other animals to your yard, transforming it into a unique sanctuary for nature lovers.

Fruit Tree Care

The most important concept to understand when it comes to fruit trees is cross pollination. If a tree is not pollinated correctly, it will produce little or no fruit. To find the correct pollinator for your variety, you can consult our online plant catalog or ask one of our friendly nursery professionals for assistance.

Once you have the right pollinator, limiting stress on the tree will be your biggest concern. By fertilizing, watering and pruning your fruit trees, you will limit the stress and cut down on insects and diseases that like to attack, especially during the early stages of life. If pests do become a problem, there are many fungicides and insecticides to choose from for treatment. As long as you give your trees a little attention and keep the pests away, you will have great fruit for many years to come!

Noted Varieties

Here are some of the fruit trees that will available this season. For a complete list of our new trees and shrubs, visit our online plant catalog. Good luck and happy picking!

	Malus x 'Fuji' A semi-dwarf variety, 'Fuji' will provide a crisp and juicy apple that ripens in October and keeps very well in storage. The flesh is sweet and crisp, and the light green skin with a red blush is very attractive. Plant with another variety for pollination.
	Prunus avium 'Bing' The most widely grown sweet cherry, this semi-dwarf freestone variety features large, sweet, dark red fruit with firm and meaty flesh. Pollinate with 'Stella' or 'Black Tartarian'.
	Prunus x 'Mount Royal' A semi-dwarf self pollinating variety that is very hardy and offers medium sized, juicy fruit that has blue skin with a yellow clingstone flesh, 'Mount Royal' will ripen in late August.

Spring Open House is Next Weekend!

You've waited all winter - join us as we welcome back spring all weekend long on March 31st and April 1st at our annual Spring Open House. Among the special events planned include:

• Representatives from major plant lines will be on-hand to answer all your questions and introduce new varieties for 2007
• Have your houseplants repotted or bring in your containers and have them planted at no charge
• Enter our drawing to win one of (5) $100 Estabrook's gift cards and start your spring off right
• Bring the kids and have them start their very own seeds that they can bring home
• As always, we'll also have home-made refreshments on hand!