4. Orient Pear
Nature
5 Fruit Trees to Start Your Hill Country Backyard Orchard
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Photo: Pixabay
The pear tree is a tall, straight, long-living tree. Several good varieties work for the Texas Hill Country like the Warren and Garber varieties according to the Hill Country Master Gardeners, but the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension also recommends the Kieffer, Moonglow, and a handful of others for Hill Country growers.
The Orient Pear is particularly well suited for the Hill Country region due to its high tolerance to “fire blight” (a common disease among Texas pears), low chilling requirements and is very reliable. Growers will often weigh or tie-down the branches early in the tree’s life to encourage a more broad branch pattern than the often straight and narrow growth most pear trees follow. Its large, high quality fruit and its relative ease of growth make it a highly recommended fruit tree for the Hill Country region.
5. Methley Plum
Photo: Facebook/Legg Creek Farm
The Methley Plum is also a relatively easy fruit tree to grow in the Texas Hill Country. It is well adapted to most of Texas and has a ripening season early in the summer from late May to early June. The Methley’s juicy, sweet fruit makes it the ideal summer treat.
Like all the other fruit trees on our list, the Methley has a low chill hours requirement, making it ideal for the Hill Country, but this variety does have a challenge. Keep an eye on the Methley’s fruit, however. Once ripe the soft fruit does not store as long as other plum varieties.
Growing a garden is a wonderfully frustrating challenge in the Texas Hill Country, and success awaits the prepared. With easy access to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, countless Hill Country gardeners clubs and websites, and now a list of great growing varieties, your hot summer days should be filled with juicy homegrown fruit.
What fruit trees will you choose for your Texas orchard?
