does anybody know of any varieties of fruit trees that work well in maine? We have about 20 apple trees already here but we would like to get pears, cherries, apricots , and also grapes. Anyone have any experience with cold weather varieties and if so what are they? We are not in northern maine, 30 minutes northeast of augusta but it is cold enough. Thanks for any help in advance!! cara lewis cnllewis@email.com

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), February 04, 2001

Answers

Cara, I've never been to Maine, but I pulled out my old copy of "Continuing the Good Life", Helen and Scott Nearning from Harborside, Maine. They speak of apples, pears, plums, cherries, and vaious berries, mainly blue, straw and raspberries. Said they needed a longer season for grapes, no mention of apricots. They also depended on rose hips for vitamin C. As for varieties, they only mention Northern Spy apples, I believe. I would try to find out something through your county extension agent. The extension office should be able to give you information about what varieties of fruit trees and berries do the best in your area. Sometimes the extension offices can be a big help, sometimes they aren't much of a help. You might also try talking to Master Gardeners, through the same office. They aren't always your greatest experts, but they are usually folks who are doing the same things you are trying.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.

What zone are you in?

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), February 04, 2001.

Someone else from this forum posted this URL before. I was VERY impressed with their information. It is for a grower of fruit and nut trees for northern climates, name is St. Lawrence Nurseries.

http://www.sln.potsdam.ny.us/

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), February 04, 2001.

Hi Cara! This is Brad in balmy southern Maine (Buxton). I believe that anything offered by Miller's in Canandaigua, Ny will meet your needs. We have had their apples, grapes, peaches and plums do well here in the south. I will suggest, however, that you proceed slowly with the plums. Our trees did well, but plum production was so dreadful that I have cut down a couple and planted apples in their stead. On the other haqnd, if you want to attract Japanese Beetles, I don't think there is a better bit of Flora than a plum tree! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), February 04, 2001.

Hi, thanks for the advice. Brad, I hope you were kidding about balmy! Actually for my first winter in Maine it hasn't been too bad. Ready for a new batch of the white stuff tommorrow? Anyway, we are in between zone 4 and 5 and are not sure if it would be practical to try to grow anything for zone 4 in case it really does get too cold. we do have an area that is protected from the northwest wind so this may be the place for less hardy trees. Also, any advice for an overgrown grape vine that was here already. It is in the trees and going nuts should we attempt to prune it or just start over? It produced a liitle bit last year but it also wasn't taken care of before we moved here. thanks again. cara cnllewis@email.com

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), February 04, 2001.