If you wish to be happy for a year, plant a garden. If you wish to be happy for a lifetime, plant a tree. – Jim Morris

One of the first and perhaps hardest decisions you will have to make is deciding what trees to plant on your homestead, especially if you are on a smaller homestead with very limited space for planting trees.

The very things that we love about trees on our homesteads are also the things that make this decision more crucial, like the fact that the tree you pick will be there for a very long time. So, what things do we need to consider in order to pick the right trees for our homesteads?

Plant Trees That Will Meet Your Needs

What are you wanting as a supply for your homestead? Is it an abundance of food? Is it culinary delight of a certain food? Is it lumber or wood for other purposes? Is it fodder for your livestock, shade for your land, candy for the eye?

Trees can supply many needs but you should know what you want before you start digging holes in the ground and plopping in trees just because those are the trees others plant. Know what you want to gain from this semi-permanent addition to your homestead.

Plant What Grows Well In Your Growing Zone

Not only do you need to consider what you want from a tree, but you need to pick a tree that will supply that and grow in your zone. Obviously, not every tree will grow just anywhere. Some trees grow better than others in some places and some won’t make it through the first year in other places. A little research is necessary to make that determination for picking the right trees for your homestead.

The National Wildlife Federation has a wonderful online tool to assist you in finding native trees for your growing zone, which can be found here:

https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/plants

Although this works great to find native species don’t rule out non-natives that can also grow well in your zone.

Heat Tolerance Is Important

Know the heat tolerance of your tree and your climate. Some trees just don’t do well in hot climates, so if you’re in such a climate, you need to look for trees that thrive in these conditions to have the best chance for high production.

The same is true on the other side of the spectrum. Many trees that are native to tropical climates just won’t grow well in colder regions. So pick the trees you want to grow wisely.

I have a friend in south Texas that told me about a certain variety of apple tree that the local big box store was selling in the spring in his area. This particular tree would not be able to survive the Texas heat, and yet a local store was selling it. Had my friend not known any better, he may have wasted his money and time trying to get that tree to survive on his homestead.

Understand The Chill Hours Of Your Tree and Your Climate

A Chill Hour or chill unit is equal to one hour that a fruit tree spends in cooler temperatures, ranging from 32 to 45 degrees F. Many trees vary in the number of chill hours that they need.

Here are a few trees common to homesteads and their chill hour requirements:

Almond 400-600

Walnut 800-1000

Citrus 0

Chestnut 300-500

Pistachio 550-800

Apple (High Chill Hour Varieties) 700-1000

Apple (Low Chill Hour Varieties) 200-500

Apricot 500-800

Peach (High Chill Hour Varieties) 600-1000

Peach (Low Chill Hour Varieties) 300-500

Nectarine 100-500

Asian Pear 400-500

European Pear 600-800

Japanese Plum 500-900

European Plum 700-1000

Mulberry 200-400

Pawpaw 100-400

Fig 100-200

Persimmon 100-200

Know What Your Growing Zone Is

Trees can be purchased that are appropriate for certain zones that they grow well in, so knowing your growing zone is important when picking the right trees. U.S. residents find your growing zone at: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ 

Are There Disease Issues For Trees In Your Area, and Is Your Tree Disease Resistant?

There isn’t much worse at destroying your chances of having a tree survive or be productive than a disease issue. Many trees are prone to certain diseases, but by being aware of potential issues in your area, it can help you to purchase trees that will be resistant to such issues.

These are a few of the things you should consider when purchasing and planting trees on your homestead. After all, you want the best possible outcome for what can be a hefty investment of your money and time.

Download: What Trees Should I Plant Checklist PDF