u/1dirtbiker

I have two grafted Ayers pears that I planted in spring 2023. They were about 4 feet tall with just a few branch points and about 1/2" or smaller in diameter above the graft point when I planted them. They are now about seven feet high, though would be much higher except that I've been pruning to keep them lower, and about 2.5" in diameter above the branch point, so growing very well. However, there have still been no flowers or fruits. Just wondering how long until I can expect to have some fruit.

And FWIW, I did have a third pear tree of a different variety (Kieffer) that just never thrived. It stayed small, was late to bud, and just never really did anything. After three years, it wasn't much bigger than when I planted it, so I removed it and planted a Bartlett pear this spring. I just figured I'd mention this, as the logical reply to my post would be to tell me to plant a different variety for pollination.

Why are we doing these? I mean, cataract surgery is roughly as physiologically stressful as getting your toenails trimmed.

I live in zone 5B, though locally, based upon historical low temps over the last ten years on my personal weather station, should be zone 5A.

I'm looking to add a couple nectarine trees to my orchard. I love very crisp freestone nectarines. What are some of the best varieties for me?

I just planted two seedlings yesterday. I'm wondering if my shade setup will work out. I have four t posts that are 4 feet high with some landscape fabric zip tied on top. It's about 3'x3' square that is 4 feet over top of the seedling. This will protect them from midday direct sun. Do I need to lower the height, so it protects them from more hours of sun during the day?

I have red delicious and liberty apple trees. Both were planted last year, and haven't bloomed yet. To be honest, I didn't really understand pollinator pairs, and I just knew I needed two varieties, but I didn't pay attention to which varieties suited each other best. I found some sources that say that are okay pollinator pairs, but most say no.

I'm looking to add a third variety, and ideally something that would work to pollinate both of them, and that produces edible fruit. In other words, I'm not interested in planting crab apples. Are there varieties that will work for both? Or do I need two additional varieties?