East Hill Tree Farm Plant List for 2015

Fruit Trees, Nuts, and Berries for Central Vermont

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Nursery East Hill Tree Farm offers a wide range of hardy fruit trees, seedling nut trees, and berry plants. We manage organically and grow our plants in living soil. We strive to garden like the forest, endeavoring not to plant single trees, but to establish whole ecologies. We want you to succeed! We are happy to take the time to answer any questions you may have in order to ensure the success of your plantings. We sell rock minerals and fertilizers as well as screen and fencing to protect your trees from deer and rodents.

Edible Landscaping Services We provide a range of services, from consultation to complete design and installation with ongoing seasonal maintenance. We understand that client participation is essential to the success of any design. We will work with you to determine what is appropriate for you and your site and provide information and education for future management. We recognize that humans are an integral part of nature working, and strive to engage our environment, enhancing the physical and spiritual vitality of the landscape and its inhabitants.

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Front and back covers by Mary Azarian. Scratchboards by Erik Gillard. Additional woodcuts by Nicko Rubin.

Visiting East Hill Tree Farm We are open Saturday 9-4:30 and Sunday from 10-4:30 or by appointment (call Nicko at 802-454-7874). We are establishing experimental and demonstration plantings. Please come out for a visit! We are happy to show you our projects, from compost to kiwis.

Directions to the nursery at 3499 East Hill Rd: Via Route 2

Via 302

-Turn into the village of Plainfield at the blinking light.

- About 3.7 miles from Barre, turn onto Reservoir Rd. Continue into Plainfield (becomes Brook Rd). Go a total of 5.5 miles.

-Stay straight on Main St., go past the Plainfield Co-op and up a little hill to a fork in the road. -Bear right onto East Hill Rd. -Travel exactly 3.5 miles on East Hill Rd. There is a brick house on the right and a barn on the left. The nursery is just beyond the Barn.

-Turn right onto East Hill Rd. -Travel 1 mile, the nursery is at the crest of the hill on the right, just before the barn.

Table of Contents: APPLES

5-10

PEARS

11-13

GOOSEBERRIES

PLUMS

14-15

ADDITIONAL SMALL FRUITS

24-26 27-29

CURRANTS

22-23 23

CHERRIES

16

USEFUL & ORNAMENTAL SPECIES

PEACHES

17

ROCK MINERALS

30

QUINCE

17

OUR SERVICES

32

MULBERRIES

17

PRUNING

33

NUT TREES

18-20

Blueberries

21-22

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

34-35

East Hill Tree Farm provides the resources to empower and enable communities in the Winooski Valley to reestablish the garden of Eden. Check the website: www.easthilltreefarm.com for updates about workshops or sales, or like us on facebook.

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Fruit Trees Fruit trees provide an awesome low maintenance resource which can last for generations. A few moments of planning and consideration often mean the difference between an abundance of fruit and a dead stick in the mud. In most cases it is important to plant multiple varieties of the same species for pollination. Fruit trees prefer a well drained location. Near the crest of a slope is preferable to the concave foot of the slope on most Vermont soils. Fertile garden soil is great for fruit trees but many sites will work well given a bit of compost and appropriate mineral amendments. The trees should receive as close to full sun as possible, flowers and fruit will form on branches in the sun. A regular breeze will help reduce insect and fungal pests. If needed, pruning should be done in winter or early spring when the trees are dormant.

The most common fatal errors include planting trees in wet locations and failing to protect trees from deer and rodents.

Got pots? We are happy to take them off your hands and reuse them. We also offer $1 off future plant purchases for each large pot (tree size) returned and $.50 for each smaller pot.

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APPLES (Malus spp.)

3-4 ft $45

4-6 ft $59 Apples, native to Central Asia, have become an integral member of the New England community. Once established, an apple tree can produce an abundance of fruit for generations. There are thousands of named apple varieties, and new varieties being named all the time. Flavors, textures, ripening times, and uses vary widely. Apples thrive in Vermont but are subject to a wide range of diseases and pests. Varieties selected for resistance to disease make it easier to grow high quality, attractive fruits, with better storage qualities. I recommend these disease resistant (D.R.) varieties. You need to have at least two trees for pollination. Apples are common enough in Vermont that you can often get away with planting one if a neighbor has a few trees. Wild trees or crab apples growing nearby can also serve as pollinators. More pollen often means more and larger fruit. Full size trees should be planted 25-35 feet apart; semi-dwarf trees 12-25 feet apart.

APPLE VARIETIES Variety

Season

Rootstock

D.R. Y

Description

Akane

August

M7

Ashmead’s Kernel

October

Standard and M7

Baldwin

October

Standard

Y

A truly all purpose old American variety. Especially great for pies. Yellow with red blush. good resistance to pest and disease. Keeps well.

Beacon

AugustSeptember

Standard

Y

Red fruit, great for baking, makes a beautiful red sauce. Good for fresh eating, softens quickly in storage. Ripens over a long period. Resistant to scab.

Bethel

October

Standard

Red striped Vermont original. Firm and flavorful fruits are good well into winter.

Cortland

September

Standard

Popular crisp tart old variety. Great fresh eating and baking.

Connell

Late September

Standard

5 Hardy heavy bearing child of Macintosh. AKA fireside. The large fruit are

An aromatic firm but juicy fleshed early red apple. Nice balance of sweet and sharp flavors. Scab resistant. A very old drab, sometimes lumpy, slow to bear, russeted apple with dense, sugary, and intensely flavorful flesh. Stores well.

Bethel

October

Standard

Red striped Vermont original. Firm and flavorful fruits are good well into winter.

APPLE (continued) Cortland VARIETIES September Standard Variety

Season

Rootstock

D.R.

Popular crisp tart old variety. Great fresh eating and baking. Description

Connell Centennial Crabapple

Late August September

Standard

Crimson Chestnut Crisp Crabapple

September Late August

M7 Standard

Y

Crimson red fruit are firm and crisp A vigorous and disease resistant tree.with a nice tartwhite flavor. Storesyield well.a Scab Beautiful blooms sweet and resistant growth pattern. tasty fruitwith withan anopen awesome nutty flavor.

Cortland Crimson Topaz

Late September

Standard

Y

A verydisease popular crisp flavorful New resistant variety old withvariety. crisp The apples aresharp excellent for juicystripped flesh andred good sweet flavor. eating and cooking (especially pies). Easy tofresh grow.

Crimson Dayton Crisp

September August

M7 G30

Y

Duchess

AugustSeptember Late

Standard

Crimson red fruit arered firm and mild crisp with A firm, sweet, juicy, apple, flavor. Highly scab resistant. Excellent a nice tart flavor that store well. Good backyard apple.and open growth pattern scab resistance make trees grower Tart and juicy large friendly. red fruit are good for fresh eating but best for pies and An exciting new disease resistant variety. sauce. Bears abundantly. Produces medium size crisp, juicy fruit,

Crimson Topaz

Fameuse (Snow Apple) Dayton Freedom Dolgo

M7

Hardy heavy bearing of excellent Macintosh. Red over orange crabchild apple, AKA fireside. The large fruit are for fresh eating. Good for a front yard excellent forlitter eating and where fruit may becooking a nuisance.

Y

September

Late September

Standard

August

G30

Late September Late August

Standard and Y M7 Standard Y

Y

Fameuse August(snow apple) September Frostbite SeptemberOctober

M7 Standard

Y

Florina

Late September

B118 or M7

Y

Galarina

M106

Y

Freedom Apple Ginger Gold

Late September Late September August

M7

Y

Frostbite Golden Russet

SeptemberSeptemberOctober October

Standard Standard

Y

Goldrush

October

M7

Y

Galarina Goodland

Late September September

M7 Standard

6 Haralred

Early October

Standard

M7

Y

Brightgood red flavor. skin with snow white flesh. with Attractive orange and Parent ofyellow Macintosh. red over fruit. Excellent fresh eating sauce. Oldred variety. into A firm,and sweet, juicy, apple,Keeps somewhat December. mild flavor. Highly Scab resistant. Excellent backyard apple. Crisp, juicy, and tart, good for fresh eating, flowering sauces, juice, and keeps well. Lovely crab, produces sweet, Vigorous and productive. Immune tart 1” apples, excellent for jam or or cider. resistant to most major apple diseases. Parent of Macintosh. Snow white flesh is

Formerly 447’.spicy. SmallDelicious striped red tender and‘MN slightly for fresh eating, fruit baking, cider. sweet over yellow areorextremely with intense, unusual, tropical molasses Beautiful purple red over yellow fruit, flavor. Crisp, firm, and juicy. Also crisp, very juicy, with a good mild excellent for cider. buttery flavor. Medium to large fruit Crispwell. and Sweet. Similar to Gala but keep Vigorous. with greater hardiness and disease Bright red fruit is crisp, juicy, and tart, resistance. good for fresh eating, sauces, juice, and Yellow gold fruit, similar to golden keep well. Trees are vigorous and delicious. Sweet with a mild tart finish, productive. Immune to apple scab and best for fresh eating, good for baking and resistant to most major apple diseases. sauce. Formerly ‘MN 447’. Small Striped red Very sweet hard fruit, stores all winter. over yellow fruit are extremely sweet One of the best cider varieties. with intense, unusual, tropical molasses Crisp, Crisp, sweet, firm, and flavorful. flavor. and juicy.Stores Also very well, flavor excellent forimproves cider. with storage. May be difficult to ripen fully in Central VT. Crisp and sweet fruits, similar in flavor Crisp, juicy, aromatic Good but fresh and appearance to theflesh. gala apple, eating, baking and sauce. Very hardy. with greater hardiness and disease Hard crisp apples which keep well into resistance.

Russet

October

Goldrush

October

One of the best cider varieties. M7

Y

Rootstock

D.R.

APPLE VARIETIES (continued) Variety

Season

Crisp, sweet, and flavorful. Stores very well, flavor improves with storage. May be difficult toDescription ripen fully in Central VT.

Goodland Centennial Crabapple

September Late August

Standard

Haralred Chestnut Crabapple

Early October Late August

Standard Standard

Y Y

Hazen Cortland

Late August Late September

Standard Standard

Y

Large darkcrisp red fruit, great A veryJuicy popular flavorful oldfresh variety. eating, easy to grow, with few pest and The stripped red apples are excellent for diseasefresh problems. Natural dwarf. pies). eating and cooking (especially

Honeycrisp Crimson Crisp

Late September September

Standard M7 M7 and M106

Y

Exciting, super-crisp Crimson red fruit areand firmjuicy andapple crisp with variety. Large, tasty, attractive fruit a nice tart flavor that store well. Good stores into winter. scab resistance and open growth pattern make trees grower friendly. Very hardy very sweet yellow apple.

Y

Stores very new well.disease resistant variety. An exciting Produces medium size crisp, fruit, Golden yellow splashed red. juicy Yellow flesh with Attractive orange and is richgood and flavor. juicy and tangy tart. red over yellow fruit. Topnotch cider variety, high tannins, high A firm, sweet, juicy, red apple,purple somewhat acid, and high sugar. 2” deep fruit. mild flavor. Highly Scab resistant. The first East Hill introduction. Excellent backyard apple. Explosively juicy, crunchy, sweet, and Lovely floweringsmall crab,yellow produces sweet, highly flavorful apples. tart 1” apples, excellent for jam or cider. Quick to bear. Perfect for filling pockets.

Honeygold October Crimson Late Topaz September Iowa Beauty Early September

M7 M7

Kingston Dayton Black

September August

standard G30

Juice Box

September

Standard

Dolgo

Late August

Standard

Standard

Y

Y

Fameuse AugustLiberty Late (snow apple) September September

M7 Standard and Y M7

Florina

Late September

B118 or M7

Lodi

August

Standard

Freedom Apple Macfree

Late September SeptemberOctober

M7

Y

M106

Y

Macoun Frostbite

Late SeptemberSeptemberOctober October

Standard and Standard Y M7

Major

Late AugustSeptember

Standard

Mutsu Galarina

October Late September

Standard M7

Y

Crisp, juicy, aromatic fresh Red over orange crab flesh. apple,Good excellent eating, baking and sauce. Very hardy. for fresh eating. Good for a front yard where fruit apples litter may be keep a nuisance. Hard crisp which well into winter. Good cooking and fresh A vigorous andfor disease resistant tree. eating. Prone to biennial bearing onceand Beautiful white blooms yield a sweet mature. Naturally stays 15-20’. Hardy. tasty fruit with an awesome nutty flavor.

Parent of Macintosh. Snow white flesh is Productive new variety, resistant to scab tender and slightly spicy. Delicious for and cedar apple rust. Crisp, juicy, and fresh eating, baking, or cider. flavorful. Keeps well. Does very well Beautiful purple red over yellow fruit, with no spraying. Robust and vigorous. crisp, very juicy, with mild An excellent apple fora agood home orchard. buttery flavor. Medium to large fruit Slightly later and firmer than yellow keep well. Vigorous. transparent, good eating when just Bright fruitfor is crisp, and tart, picked.red Great saucejuicy, and baking. good for fresh eating, sauces, juice, and Similar to its parent, macintosh, with keep well. Trees are vigorous and aromatic, tender flesh. Dramatically productive. Immune to apple scab and improved resistance to disease. resistant to most major apple diseases. A Macintosh type, crisp white flesh Formerly ‘MN 447’. Small Striped red texture, and very nice balanced flavor. over fruiteating. are extremely sweet Greatyellow for fresh with intense, unusual, tropical molasses Early ripening bittersweet cider flavor. Crisp, firm, and juicy. Alsovariety. High acid, high sugar. excellent for cider. AKA Crispin. Very large greeninapple. Crisp and sweet fruits, similar flavor Super crisp and honey sweet. Great and appearance to the gala apple, butfor baking (retains its shape) and for fresh with greater hardiness and disease 7 eating (though large). Not a pollinator. resistance.

SeptemberOctober

M7

September Season

Rootstock

Centennial Mutsu Crabapple

Late August October

Standard

Chestnut Norland Crabapple

Late August August

Standard Standard

Cortland Northwest Greening

Late Late September SeptemberEarly October September

Standard Standard

M7 M106

Y Y

Crimson NY 828 Topaz Pristine

Late September August

M7 M106

Y

Dayton Red Astrachan

August August

G30 Standard

Y

Late August Late September Fameuse August(snow apple) September

Standard Standard

Y Y

Florina Redfree

Late August September

B118 or M7 M7

Y Y

Freedom Reine Apple des Reinettes

Late Late September SeptmeberOctober

M7 Standard

Y Y

Rhode Island SeptemberGreening October Frostbite SeptemberOctober

Standard

Richie’s Court

SeptemberOctober

Standard

Galarina Roxbury 8 Russet

Late September Late September October

M7 Standard and Y M7

texture, and very nice balanced flavor. Great for fresh eating.

APPLE VARIETIES (continued) Major Late AugustStandard Variety

Crimson NY 414 Crisp

Dolgo Red Baron

D.R.

Y

Standard and Y M7

M7

Standard

Y

Early ripening bittersweet cider variety. High acid, highDescription sugar. Red over orange crab apple, excellent AKA Crispin. Very large green apple. Super crisp and honey Great for for fresh eating. Good sweet. for a front yard baking (retains its shape) and for fresh where fruit litter may be a nuisance. eating (though large). Not a pollinator. A vigorous and disease resistant tree. Super hardy natural semi-dwarf tree. and Beautiful white blooms yield a sweet Quick to come into bearing. Good for tasty fruit with an awesome nutty flavor. fresh eating and cooking. A very popular crisp flavorful old variety. Old variety. Yellow green fruit is firm, The stripped red apples are excellent for dense, and tart. Similar to Granny Smith. eating fresh and cooking (especially pies). Very good for cooking. Crimson red fruit are firm and crisp with A Macintosh crossed with Liberty. Good a nice tart flavor that store well. Good disease resistance. Deep burgundy color. scab resistance and pattern Excellent balance of open sweetgrowth tart flavors, make treesfavorably grower friendly. compared to Macoun. Anmystery excitingtonew resistant A us, disease try it if you dare.variety. Produces medium size crisp, juicy fruit, Crisp, very sweet yellow apples are with good flavor. Attractive orange and excellent for fresh eating and baking. An red over yellow fruit. easy early apple for the home orchard. A firm, sweet, juicy, red apple, somewhat Hardy, robust, and attractive trees bear mild flavor. Highly Scab resistant. crimson fruit over several weeks. Great Excellent backyard apple. for pies, good for fresh eating and cider. Lovely flowering crab, produces sweet, Hardy productive old tart 1” and apples, excellent forvariety, jam orquick cider. to start bearing. Medium yellow red fruit Parent of Macintosh. Snow white flesh is are sweet and mild, good for fresh tender and slightly spicy. Delicious for eating, pies, and sauce. fresh eating, baking, or Somewhat cider. resistant to scab and fireblight. Beautiful purple red over yellow fruit, A bright redjuicy, earlywith apple. Highly resistant crisp, very a good mild to scab, and other major apple diseases. buttery flavor. Medium to large fruit Tasty, dessert quality. Firm white-fleshed keep well. Vigorous. fruits store well for an early apple. Bright red fruit is crisp, juicy, and tart, Tart, firm and flavorful. An and good sweet, for fresh eating, sauces, juice, outstanding eating apple. Remains keep well. Trees are vigorous and firm but not dry in baking.toKeeps productive. Immune applewell. scab and Very large, apple. Great for resistant totart, mostfirm major apple diseases. baking, retains its texture. Best flavor Formerly ‘MN 447’. Small Striped red for fresh eating after storage. Heirloom. over yellow fruit are extremely sweet with intense, unusual, molasses Handsome red stripedtropical fruits are very flavor.crunchy, Crisp, firm, and juicy. Alsoare long firm, and sweet. Trees excellent for cider. 100+ yr old lived and productive, specimen the farm. Crisp and here sweetonfruits, similar in flavor and appearance to the gala apple, but Perhaps the oldest American apple. Medium-small fruit haveand crisp, coarse with greater hardiness disease flesh with very sweet, pleasant tartness. resistance.

Richie’s Court

SeptemberOctober

Standard

APPLE VARIETIES (continued) Variety

Season

Rootstock

D.R.

Roxbury Centennial Russet Crabapple

Late Late August September October

Standard Standard and Y M7

Chestnut Rubinette Crabapple

Late August Late September

Standard G30

Cortland

Late September October

Standard

Standard

September

M7

September

Standard and M7

Late September September-

M7

Scott Winter Crimson Crisp Snowsweet

Crimson Topaz Spartan

October

Y

Y

Y

Standard and Y M7

Dayton August St. Lawrence September

G30 Standard

Y

Dolgo State Fair

Late August AugustSeptember Fameuse August(snow apple) September Stayman SeptemberWinesap October Florina Late September Sweet Late Sixteen September

Standard Standard

Y

Freedom Apple Tolman Sweet

Late September

M7 Standard

Wealthy Apple Frostbite

September SeptemberOctober

Standard and M7 Standard Y

Westfield Seek-NoFurther Galarina Williams Pride

September

Standard

Late AugustSeptember September

M7 M7

Y

Wolf River

September

Standard

Y

M7

Standard

Y

B118 or M7 Y Standard and M7

Y

Handsome red striped fruits are very firm, crunchy, and sweet. Trees are long lived and productive, 100+ yr old specimen here on the farm. Description Perhaps oldest American apple. Red overthe orange crab apple, excellent Medium-small haveforcrisp, coarse for fresh eating.fruit Good a front yard flesh with sweet, pleasant tartness. where fruitvery litter may be a nuisance. Great hard cider. Stores well. A vigorous and disease resistant tree. Medium to small, red striped Beautiful white blooms yield aorange sweet and fruit with a superb, sparkling, sweet, and tasty fruit with an awesome nutty flavor. sharp flavor. Slow growing and A very popular crisp flavorful old variety. susceptible to scab. The stripped red apples are excellent for Old VT variety. Red over yellow skin eating fresh and cooking (especially pies). with tender yellow flesh. Smallish, juicy, Crimson red fruit in arestorage. firm andKeeper. crisp with tart fruit sweeten aLovely nice tart flavor that store well. Good red fruit with a delicious sweet, scab resistance and open growth pattern slightly tart taste. White flesh is slow to make trees grower friendly. oxidize. Some resistance to scab and fireblight. An exciting new disease resistant variety. Produces medium juicy pure fruit, Medium sized deepsize redcrisp, fruit with with and whitegood flesh,flavor. crisp, Attractive sweet and orange mildly tart aromatic flavor. Excellent fresh eating. red over yellow fruit. Heavy bearer. A firm, sweet, juicy, red apple, somewhat Old variety. TenderScab white flesh stained mild flavor. Highly resistant. with red. Striped over yellow. Very Excellent backyardred apple. good fresh eating. Lovely flowering crab, produces sweet, Tart1” and firm red stripedfor fruit of tart apples, excellent jamare orone cider. the best early apples for eating and Parent of Macintosh. Snow white flesh is baking. Very hardy. tender and slightly spicy. Delicious for Large eating, red fruit with or richcider. tart flavor. Flesh fresh baking, is firm but tender. Excellent cooking. Beautiful purple red over yellow fruit,

A red very striped apple excellent crisp, juicy, withwith a good mild unusual flavor. flavor “like cherry candy”. buttery Medium to large fruit Resistant fireblight and somewhat keep well.to Vigorous. resistant scab. Bright redtofruit is crisp, juicy, and tart, Very distinctive olde tymey good for fresh eating, sauces,taste. juice,Sweet and with little to no acid. Pale yellow with keep well. Trees are vigorous and light russeting. Early American variety. productive. Immune to apple scab and resistant tomulti-purpose most major apple diseases. Prolific old apple. Crisp, sweet, and‘MN tart.447’. Somewhat resistant Formerly Small Striped redto over yellow fruit are extremely sweet scab. Quick to start bearing. with intense, unusual, tropical molasses Rich honey flavor, slightly buttery but flavor. Crisp, firm, and juicy. Also firm texture. Mildly tart. Very good all excellent for cider. purpose apple. Crisp and sweet fruits, similar in flavor Spicy, full flavored scab immune early and appearance to the gala apple, but apple. Medium red fruit. 9 with greater hardiness and disease An old variety once very popular around resistance.

scab. Quick to start bearing. Westfield

September

Standard

APPLE Seek-No-VARIETIES (continued) Further Variety

Williams Centennial Pride Crabapple

Season

AugustLate August September

Rootstock

D.R.

M7 Standard

Y

Rich honey flavor, slightly buttery but firm texture. Mildly tart. Very good all purpose apple. Description Spicy,over full orange flavoredcrab scabapple, immune early Red excellent apple. Medium fruit. for fresh eating.red Good for a front yard where litter mayvery be apopular nuisance. An old fruit variety once around

Wolf River

September

Standard

Y

Chestnut Crabapple

Late August

Standard

Y

central Vermont. Large resistant fruit excellent A vigorous and disease tree. for cooking andblooms drying. yield Resistant to scab. Beautiful white a sweet and Develops distinctive weeping form. tasty fruit awith an awesome nutty flavor.

Yellow Cortland Transparent

Early August Late September

Standard Standard

Y

Crimson Crisp

September

M7

Y

Zestar!

The first apples crisp of theflavorful year. Aold very hardy A very popular variety. old variety with resistance to scab. The stripped redgood apples are excellent for Eat fresh a few before fully ripe,pies). eating fresh anddays cooking (especially when theyred arefruit crisp tart. Crimson areand firm andRipe crispthey with become sweet and soft with transparent a nice tart flavor that store well. Good flesh,resistance perhaps the sauce apple. scab andbest open growth pattern

Late August

Crimson Topaz

Late September

Standard and M7 M7 Y

Exceptionally sweetfriendly. and flavorful new make trees grower variety. Excellent for fresh eating and An exciting new disease resistant variety. cooking. Stores well for an Produces medium size crisp,early juicy apple. fruit, Resistant mildew and fireblight. with goodtoflavor. Attractive orange and

Dayton

August

G30

Y

A firm, sweet, juicy, red apple, somewhat mild flavor. Highly Scab resistant. Excellent backyard apple.

Dolgo

Late August

Standard

Y

Lovely flowering crab, produces sweet, tart 1” apples, excellent for jam or cider.

red over yellow fruit.

Apple Rootstock Information

Most all fruit trees are propagated orMacintosh. bud (scion) of awhite flesh is Fameuse AugustM7 via grafting. A branch Parent of Snow (snow apple) specific varietySeptember is attached to a compatible root-sytem (rootstock). The rootstock tender and slightly spicy. Delicious for determines size and some growth characteristics offresh theeating, tree. We primarily baking, or cider.offer trees on standard Florina Lateand semidwarf B118rootstocks. or M7 Y Beautiful purple red over yellow fruit, September veryrobustness juicy, with a good mild We highly recommend standard trees forcrisp, their and buttery flavor. Medium to large fruit longevity. Vigorous.do not grow as Semidwarf trees may come into full bearing soonerkeep thanwell. standards, Freedom M7but are typically Y Bright red fruit is Semidwarf crisp, juicy, and tart, large (about 15Late ft with pruning), not as long lived. trees Apple September for fresh eating, sauces, juice,ofand must have some pruning. Semidwarf trees may not good be hardy in the coldest parts keep well. management Trees are vigorous and the state. Good for those willing to undertake a little more or with limited space. productive. Immune to apple scab and

Standard: Antanovka,vigorous and Frostbite SeptemberStandard disease resistant full size trees. October G30: Semidwarf (50-60% standard) tree highly productive, May need support in early years.

resistant to most major apple diseases.

M7: Semidwarf (50-65% standard). YFreestanding, Formerly ‘MN 447’. Small Striped red reliably productive, hardy. over yellow fruit are extremely sweet M106: Semidwarf (65% standard) with intense, unusual, tropical Vigorous and quicker to bear. Notmolasses for flavor. Crisp, firm, and juicy. Also wet soils. excellent for cider.

Galarina

10

Late September

M7

Crisp and sweet fruits, similar in flavor and appearance to the gala apple, but with greater hardiness and disease resistance.

Pears (Pyrus spp.)

4-6 ft $59

Pears are a great fruit for Central Vermont. While we are all familiar with the old apple trees that dot our hills, the pears are sadly rare. Though some varieties are not well-suited to our cold climate, many are. Pear trees and fruit suffer from fewer pests and diseases than apple trees, making it easier to grow high quality fruit. Let us cover our hillsides with pears! Pear trees grow similarly to apples but typically with a more upright pattern. I recommend minimal pruning as heavy cutting can lead to very vigorous suckering making trees less productive and more susceptible to fireblight, which can be a problem for some pear varieties.

Pear Pollination

Pears produce little nectar making them less popular with the bees. Some varieties produce very little pollen, making them poor pollinators for other pears. Plant at least two different varieties for pollination. If planting a poor pollinator, plant at least three different varieties. The more the merrier! Two different strains of pear communis (European) and ussuriensis (Siberian) flower at slightly different times and will not reliably pollinate each other. Plant communis types with communis types, and ussuriensis types with ussuriensis types for most reliable fruit set.

PEAR VARIETIES Variety

Season

Pollination

Fireblight

Description

Bartlett

September

Communis Not Seckel

Beierschmidt

September

Communis

Cabot

September

Ussuriensis?

Super hardy. Sweet, aromatic, melting fruit are good fresh eating

Clark

September

Ussuriensis

Very hardy small pear, good for processing as fruit ripens all at once.

Early Gold

August

Ussuriensis

Small Golden-yellow 1.5” tasty 11 fruit good for fresh eating and preserves. Very hardy. Prolific

Popular commercial variety, juicy, buttery and flavorful. Often listed for zone 5 but we have had many positive reports in our area. Resistant

Hardy seedling of bartlett. Firm, very juicy, and sweet. Skin too tender for commercial handling. A real treat for those with space in the back yard.

melting fruit are good fresh eating Clark

September

Ussuriensis

PEAR VARIETIES (continued) Variety

Season

Pollination

Fireblight

Early Early Gold Gold

August Early August

Ussuriensis Good Pollinator

Golden Spice Flemish Beauty

September Late August

Ussuriensis Self-fruitful

Susceptible

Communis

Resistant

Harrow Crisp Early September

Very hardy small pear, good for processing as fruit ripens all at once. Description Small Golden-yellow Small, golden-yellow, 1.5” 1.5” tasty fruit fruit good for fresh eating and are tasty, good for fresh eating preserves. VeryAhardy. and preserves. good Prolific pollinator flowering. for ure and golden spice. Very hardy. flowering. Heavy Prolific flowering hardy tree produces smallish Very hardy, sweet spicy fruitsyellow similar to pears good for canning, cooking, seckel. The fruit are attractive and and spicing. keep well. Picking time should be precise, Smooth before yellow the skinfruits with begin red to turn yellow. blush. Flesh is smooth, firm, and mildly sweet. Smallish spicy Large yellowfruits. pears are good for canning, cooking, Medium-large fruit, with redand blush spicing. OkayGood for fresh eating. over yellow. flavor and Extremely hardy. smooth flesh.

Golden Spice

September

Harrow Delight

August

Communis

Resistant

Gourmet Harrow Sweet

Late SeptemberSeptember October

Poor Communis Pollinator

Resistant

Medium sizeyellow yellow-green fruit Very sweet fruit with a red are sweet, crisp and juicy. Not blush. Can be allowed to ripen aon good pollinator. the tree. Resistant to scab.

Harrow’s Luscious Delight

August SeptemberOctober

Resistant Communis Resistant Poor Pollinator

Harrow’s Sweet Magness

Late September Early September

Medium-large fruit, with red blush Hardy, exceptionally delicious over flavor and pears.yellow. Sweet Good juicy medium sized smooth smooth flesh. fleshed fruits. Everything I have ever wanted in a pear. Fruits similar to bartlett with a

Communis Poor Pollinator

Luscious Parker

SeptemberOctober Late August

Poor Resistant Pollinator Communis Good Pollinator

Magness Patten

Early September September

Poor Resistant Pollinator Communis Good Pollinator

Savignac Parker

September Late August

Communis Good Pollinator

Seckel

Patten

Early October September

Communis Self-fertile Good Pollinator

Seckel Shipova

Early October

Self-fertile Communis X Likely Selffertile

12 Stacyville September Summercrisp Late

Communis Good

Resistant Resistant

Susceptible Resistant

Resistant

red blush.sweet Juicy, sweet, flavorful Excellent flavor. Smooth, fruit well.few grit cells. Slow juicy keeps flesh with to begin bearing but an Hardy, exceptionally delicious outstanding pear. pears. Sweet juicy fruits with smooth flesh. A bit smaller than Large yellow-bronze fruit are bartletts. Everything everA tender and juicy. FineI have grained. wanted in a pear.for Luscious. Pick good pollinator before fully ripe. Excellent sweet flavor. Smooth, juicy flesh fruit with are fewvery grit cells Slow The large tender to andsprawling a poor andbegin juicy.bearing Vigorous pollinator. The fruit quality makes habit. it worth the work. Small to medium roundish pears Large yellow-bronze fruit good are are sweet and juicy. Very tender and juicy. grained. fresh eating with Fine few grit cells. A good pollinator for Luscious. Pick Also known as ‘sugar pears’. Firm before fully ripe. sweet fruit are very well suited The large fruit very tender to cooking andare canning. Fruit and keepjuicy. well, often into late December. Also known as ‘sugar pears’. Firm sweet are very well suited A crossfruit between pear and to cookingash. andFruits canning. mountain are Fruit like smallish seedless pears. keep well, often into lateFlavor is sweet, delicate, and aromatic. December. Attractive white blossoms in the spring. Heavy producer of medium yellowjuicy pears withwith a red blush. Crisp fruits a mild

Shipova

Communis X Likely SelfPEAR VARIETIES (continued) fertile Variety Season Pollination

Fireblight

Stacyville Early Gold

September Early August

Communis Good Pollinator

Summercrisp Flemish Beauty

August Late August

Communis Good Pollinator Susceptible Self-fruitful May pollinate Ussuriensis types

Tawara

Early September September

Partially Selffertile improved with Communis

Ure

Late September

Ussuriensis

Gourmet

Late September

Poor Pollinator

Golden Spice

Resistant

Companions for Your Fruit Trees Harrow’s August All kinds of things can be grown Delight

as companions for fruit trees bringing with them a wide range Harrow’s Late of benefits. Grass need not be Sweet September the dominant species under our trees, in fact, they would prefer it Luscious Poor otherwise. FruitSeptembertrees are often October happiest growing in the midstPollinator of a perennial or herb garden. A few categories of plants are particularly well suited to Magness Early growing with our fruit trees. Poor

A cross between pear and mountain ash. Fruits are like smallish seedless pears. Flavor is sweet, delicate, and aromatic. Description Heavygolden-yellow, producer of medium Small, 1.5” fruit yellow pears with red blush. are tasty, good forafresh eating pickpreserves. in August and ripenpollinator off the and A good tree. Vigorous and spice. hardy.Very for ure and golden hardy. Prolific flowering. Crisp juicy fruits with mild flavor. Harvest andsweet eat early while fleshto Very hardy, fruits similar is firm. The Fruitfruit stores monthsand seckel. aretwo attractive whenwell. picked early.time should be keep Picking precise, before the fruits begin to A new hardy asian pear variety. turn yellow. Crisp and sweet and delicious. Hardy tospicy -30. yellow pears are Smallish good for canning, cooking, and Green yellow 2” fruit are very spicing. Okay for fresh eating. juicy, good for eating and canning. Extremely hardy. Sturdy trees are extremely hardy. Medium size yellow-green fruit are sweet, crisp and juicy. Not a good pollinator.

Resistant

Medium-large fruit, with red blush over yellow. Good flavor and smooth flesh.

Resistant

Fruits similar to bartlett with a red blush. Juicy, sweet, flavorful fruit keeps well.

Resistant

Hardy, exceptionally delicious pears. Sweet juicy fruits with smooth flesh. A bit smaller than bartletts. Everything I have ever wanted in a pear.

Resistant

Excellent sweet flavor. Smooth, juicy flesh with few grit cells Slow Broad leaved and deep to begin bearing and a poor The fruit quality makes rooted plants such as: comfrey, dandelion, elecampane,pollinator. echinacea, borage, rhubarb, it worth the work. or horseradish. September

Pollinator

Parker Late August Good Susceptible yellow-bronze fruit are Strongly aromatic plants that may help deter pests:Large applemint, spearmint, Pollinator tender and juicy. Fine grained. A peppermint, beebalm, artemesias, mugwort, yarrow, or anise hyssop. good pollinator for Luscious. Pick Nitrogen fixers or dynamic accumulators such as: lupine, before fully baptisia, ripe.

thermopsis, comfrey, or clovers.

Patten

September

Good

Seckel

Early

Self-fertile

The large fruit are very tender

Pollinator Beneficial insect attractants and pollinator supporters: angelica, cow and juicy. parsnip, clovers, sweet cicily, or valerian. Resistant

Also known as ‘sugar pears’. Firm

October sweet fruit very well suited This list is far from comprehensive. Many plants perform more thanare one function to cooking canning. Fruitfor including perhaps meeting a need of our own. Some of these speciesandare available keep well, often into late sale here at East Hill Tree Farm. December. Attractive white blossoms in the spring.

Summercrisp

Late

Good

Crisp juicy fruits with a mild

13

PLUMS (Prunus spp.)

4-6 ft $59

Plums grow well in Central Vermont. They are beautiful flowering trees worth planting as ornamentals. Many varieties start bearing their sweet, juicy fruit in as little as one or two years after planting. Late frost sometimes damages spring flowers reducing crops. Coating developing fruit with kaolin clay (surround® spray) just after petal drop can dramatically reduce fruit loss to the pest plum curculio. Most hardy plums are crosses between Japanese and American plums. The Toka plum or seedling American plums are the best pollinators for these varieties. For best pollination, plant three or more varieties relatively close together (8-15 feet). A few European varieties are also hardy in Vermont. These are self-fertile but will produce better with additional European pollinators.

Japanese American X Plum Varieties Variety

Season

Pit Type

Description

Alderman

Late August

Clingstone

Large, bright red fruit, are soft and sweet. Excellent fresh eating and cooking. Quick to start bearing.

Black Ice

September

Semi-cling

Very hardy, dark purple plum with red flesh. Close to the Japanese plums of CA. Compact weepy growth pattern.

La Crescent

Late August

Freestone

Smallish yellow-orange plums, excellent for fresh eating and preserves. Vigorous grower.

Pipestone

Late August

Clingstone

Large red fruit with gold blush. Juicy, with excellent sweet flavor. Extremely hardy.

Superior

Late August September

Clingstone

Medium dark red fruit, sweet juicy and excellent for fresh eating. Trees are vigorous, hardy, and heavy-bearing.

Toka

Late August

Clingstone

Medium-size red-orange fruit are very sweet with fantastic floral candy flavor. Extremely hardy. Excellent pollinator.

Waneta

Mid August

Clingstone

Large red plums with yellow flesh are sweet and juicy. Fruit hold up ok after picking. Extremely hardy. Prolific.

American Plum 14

AugustSeptember

These vigorous seedlings often grow into thickets. A good pollinator for the

La Crescent

September Late August

Freestone

Variety Pipestone

LateSeason August

Pit Type Clingstone

Mount Royal

Late August September Late August September Season Early

Freestone

European Plum Varieties

Superior

Variety Stanley Toka Bali Evans

September Late August August

Description Large red fruit with gold blush. Juicy, with excellent sweet flavor. Extremely Purple-blue, prune type plum, tender hardy. and juicy, good for fresh eating or

cooking and Handsome Medium darkpreserves. red fruit, sweet juicy and growth pattern. Hardy. excellent for fresh eating. Trees are vigorous, and excellent heavy-bearing. Pollination Description Freestone Dark bluehardy, fruits are fresh eating, cooking, canning drying. Fruits in August, late forand a cherry, often Clingstone Medium-size red-orange fruit are very Self-fertile Very popular European sweet with fantastic floral candy flavor. making it easier to get toplum. the fruits Extremely Excellent pollinator. before thehardy. birds. Very hardy. Sweet for Clingstone

Large plums with yellow flesheating are a tart red cherry, excellent for fresh sweet and juicy. Fruit hold up ok after and baking. hardy. Prolific. Variety Season Pit Type picking. Extremely Description Lovely densely growing pyramidal tree Mesabi July Self-fertile American AugustThese vigorous grow Alderman Plum Late August Clingstone Large, redseedlings fruit, areoften soft growsbright to about 12’. Bright red and fruit are September into thickets. A good pollinator for the sweet. Excellent fresh eating and sweet for a tart cherry. cooking. QuickThe to start grafted plums. fruit bearing. are often small A hardy cherry good for eating right Meteor July Self-fertile with sweet flesh and tart skin. excellent La Crescent Late August Freestone Smallish yellow-orange plums, off the tree. Likely a cross between a for fresh eating and preserves. Beech Plum AugustHardy plum thrives on for wellpies sweet native andgrower. tart cherry. Good Vigorous September drained soils. Can form a wide and freezing. A natural dwarf. hedge Pipestone Late August Clingstone Large red fruittowith goldtree. blush. Juicy, or be pruned a small Flowers Large, tart, redsweet fruit. Excellent for pie Montmorency July Self-fertile with excellent flavor. Extremely beautifully. Fruit is great for cooking. hardy. or preserves. Vigorous and productive. Variety Season Pit Type Description Superior LateSeason August Clingstone Medium darkDescription red fruit, sweet juicy and Variety Pollination Mount Royal Late August Freestone Purple-blue, type plum, tender September excellent forprune fresh eating. Trees are Deep red cherries are very large, very Lapin Early July Self-fertile and juicy, hardy, good for eating or vigorous, andfresh heavy-bearing. CHERRY PLUMS September (Prunus spp.) 4-6inft $59 sweet and juicy. Solid a warm cooking andvery preserves. Handsome Tokahardy crosses between Late August Clingstone Medium-size red-orange fruit are very Very a cherry and plum. Attractive small trees with heavy zone 4. pattern. Hardy. growth sweet with fantastic floral candy flavor. spring flowering. Quick to bear, with fruit the size of a small plum, eating quality Stella Late Self-fertile Hardygreen-yellow wood and Excellent more fruit is Greengage EarlyJuly Clingstone Small fruit tender with golden Extremely hardy. pollinator. good typically with tartSeptember skin and sweet flesh. buds.are Vigorous tree andjuicy, heavy flesh sugary-sweet, and Waneta Mid August Clingstone Large red plums with yellow fleshblack are producer of sweet heart-shaped delicious. sweet fruit. and juicy. Fruit hold up ok after Cherry Plums Stanley Early Freestone Dark blue fruits arehardy. excellent fresh picking. Extremely Prolific. Variety Season Pollination eating, cooking, Description September canning and drying. American Plum AugustThese vigorous seedlings often grow Very popular European plum. Excels for jams, jellies, and sauces. Compass Late July Plant with September into thickets. A good pollinator for the Sapalta Good fresh eating though skin is tart. grafted plums. The fruit are often small Verysweet hardy flesh and quick to bear. with and tart skin. Dark purple flesh.on Freestone. Sapalta Late July Plant with Beech Plum AugustHardy native skin plumand thrives well Compass Good for processing and fresh eating. September drained soils. Can form a wide hedge Waneta

Mid August

drained soils. Can form a wide hedge Smallish yellow-orange plums, excellent or be pruned a small tree. Flowers for fresh eatingtoand preserves. beautifully.grower. Fruit is great for cooking. Vigorous

Seedling plums

Variety Contender Variety

Season Late August Season

PF-24C

Late August September AugustSeptember

Greengage Redhaven

Early August September

Mount Royal

Clingstone

Pollination or be prunedDescription to a small tree. Flowers beautifully. Fruit is great for cooking. A new, hardy peach, blooms late. Reportedly productive in Calais. Sweet, Pit Type Description extremely juicy, good for fresh eating Freestone Purple-blue, prune type plum, tender and everything. and juicy, good for fresh eating or Self-fertile A reportedly hardy newHandsome variety. Late cooking and preserves. flowering, with excellent growth pattern. Hardy. fruit quality. Good success in the Champlain Valley. Clingstone Small green-yellow fruit with golden Self-fertile Considered the standard Northeast flesh are sugary-sweet, juicy, and 15 peach. Very flavorful, productive and delicious. bud hardy. Worth a shot in Vermont. Self-fertile

CHERRIES (Prunus spp.)

4-6 ft $59 The hardiest cherries are considered “tart cherries” or “pie cherries”, but we definitely enjoy eating them fresh. They are often short-lived (12-25 years) but very beautiful, small trees (10-15 feet) with prolific, early, spring flowers, shiny, maroon bark, and glossy foliage. Cherries prefer very well-drained soils and full sun. They are a lovely garden tree and will be very happy on the north edge of the vegetable garden or in the midst of your perennials. A few sweet cherries are now consistently listed as zone 4 hardy. These trees are vigorous growers and if unpruned can reach 20 feet. Protect from birds and revel in fruit. Tart cherries and some sweet cherries are self fertile. All will probably produce more and larger fruit with a different pollinator.

Pie Cherries Variety Evans Bali

Season August

Variety Evans Bali

Season August

Mesabi

July

Mesabi Meteor

July July

Meteor

July

Montmorency

July

Variety Montmorency JulySeason Kristin July Sweet Cherries Variety

Season

Kristin Lapin

July Early July

Lapin Stella

Early July Late July

Stella

Late July

Variety

Season

Compass

Late July

Variety 16 Compass Sapalta

Late July Late July

Season

Pollination

Description

Fruits in August, late for a cherry, often to get to the fruits Pollination making it easier Description before the birds. Very hardy. Sweet for Fruits in August, late for a cherry, often Self-fertile a tart cherry, excellent for fresh eating making it easier to get to the fruits and baking. before the birds. Very hardy. Sweet for Lovely densely excellent growing pyramidal tree Self-fertile a tart cherry, for fresh eating grows to about 12’. Bright red fruit are and baking. sweet for a tart cherry. Lovely densely growing pyramidal tree Self-fertile Agrows hardyto cherry for eating Self-fertile aboutgood 12’. Bright red right fruit are off the tree. Likely a cross between a sweet for a tart cherry. sweet and tart cherry. Good for pies A hardy cherry good for eating right Self-fertile and freezing. A natural dwarf. off the tree. Likely a cross between a Large, Excellent for pies pie Self-fertile sweettart, and red tart fruit. cherry. Good for or preserves. Vigorous and productive. and freezing. A natural dwarf. Pollination Large, tart, Description red fruit. Excellent for pie Self-fertile Promising of cold-hardy or preserves.the Vigorous and sweet productive. Pollinator needed red large and sweet. On Pollination cherry. Dark Description Gisela 5 dwarfing rootstock. Promising of the cold-hardy sweet Pollinator Deep redDark cherries are very Self-fertile needed cherry. red large and large, sweet.very On sweet and very juicy. Solid in Gisela 5 dwarfing rootstock. a warm zone 4. Deep red cherries are very large, very Self-fertile Self-fertile Hardy andjuicy. moreSolid tender sweetwood and very in afruit warm buds. Vigorous tree and heavy zone 4. producer of sweet heart-shaped black Self-fertile Hardy wood and more tender fruit fruit. buds. Vigorous tree and heavy Pollination producer ofDescription sweet heart-shaped black fruit. for jams, jellies, and sauces. Excels Plant with Sapalta though skin is tart. Pollination Good fresh eating Description Very hardy and quick to bear. Excels for jams, jellies, and sauces. Plant with Dark and flesh. skin Freestone. Plant with Sapalta Goodpurple fresh skin eating though is tart. Self-fertile

Kristin

PEACHES

July

Pollinator needed

4-6 ft $59

Peach trees can be found surviving nicely Lapin Early July Self-fertile on several sites in central Vermont, and I for one am hopeful for fruit. Plant location the Stellain a well drained Late July whereSelf-fertile soil will be shaded from winter sun but the tree top will be in full sun during the growing season. Cold soil in spring will delay flowering Variety and help protect Seasonthem Pollination from frost damage. Protect the trunks from Compass Late July Plant with warm southwest sun in winter that can Sapalta cause injury. We cannot guarantee the winter hardiness Sapalta Late July Plant with of peaches. Compass

Peaches! Variety

Season

Promising of the cold-hardy sweet cherry. Dark red large and sweet. On Gisela 5 dwarfing rootstock. Deep red cherries are very large, very sweet and very juicy. Solid in a warm zone 4. Hardy wood and more tender fruit buds. Vigorous tree and heavy producer of sweet heart-shaped black fruit. Description Excels for jams, jellies, and sauces. Good fresh eating though skin is tart. Very hardy and quick to bear. Dark purple skin and flesh. Freestone. Good for processing and fresh eating.

Pollination

Description

Contender

Late August

Self-fertile

A new, hardy peach, blooms late. Reportedly productive in Calais. Sweet, extremely juicy, good for fresh eating and everything.

PF-24C

AugustSeptember

Self-fertile

A reportedly hardy new variety. Late flowering, with excellent fruit quality. Good success in the Champlain Valley.

Reliance

Late August

Self-fertile

Developed by Irwin Meader in NH. Reputedly the hardiest peach variety. Large crops of sweet, soft, juicy awesome peaches.

Additional Tree Fruits QUINCE

4 - 5 ft $59

(Cydonia oblonga) Beautiful compact small trees (maybe 10 ft) with large white flowers followed by incredibly fragrant waxy fruit. Typically used in baking or preserves. Worth keeping on the table just for the aroma. Purported to have near magical abilty to reduce pest damage in the orchard. Self-fertile and will tolerate a half day of sun. Typically considered hardy to Zone 5, we are giving them a shot. Orange: Large tender fruit ripen to bright yellow. Flesh is light orange.

Mulberry

3-4 ft $49

(Morus rubra) Northrop Mulberry is vigorous and self-fertile. Like a blackberry tree. Mulberry trees produce huge crops of sweet black berries. The berries ripen over a period of 4-6 weeks. Even though it is a favorite of the birds it always seems to have ripe fruit. Uncommon in Vermont, this is the hardiest mulberry variety. It may suffer some minor winter damage when young, but given a little protection grows into a productive tree.

Smyrna: Turkish variety, lemon yellow skin and pale yellow flesh. Stores well. 17

NUT TREES

Nuts provide essential food for a wide range of mammal and bird species and are an incredibly resilient source for high quality fat and protein. The natural range of nut trees (particularly those most useful) followed settlement of the indigenous people in the Northeast; it is in our nature to spread nut trees. We offer a wide range of nut trees well suited to Central Vermont. Currently many of the local beech and butternut trees are dying from disease and the Vermont landscape is losing a vital source of nutrition for many species. Animals are beginning to move nut trees (mostly red oaks, though some white oak and hickory) deeper into our northern forests. However their capacities and ranges are limited. Thanks to the work of breeders and backyard gardeners (as well as the somewhat more mild winters of the past few years), there are a variety of nut trees we can plant to enrich our local ecology. Many nut trees are tap-rooted, making it very difficult to transplant large trees (however small trees are inexpensive and transplant easily). Many species do not grow well in pots and are best transplanted directly from growing beds in the early spring or late fall. Nut trees may grow slowly for several years and take off once the taproot is established. Most nut trees also produce high quality timber, and may be coppice managed. Give trees plenty of space and you will never regret planting a nut tree. $12-$25 HAZELNUT (Corylus spp.) Likely the most reliable

$12-$19 BLACK WALNUT (Juglans Nigra) These beautiful trees

American Hazelnut: (Corylus Americana) Selected on Mark Shepherd’s farm for hardiness and high production. Plants are impressively robust and vigorous. May have some hybrid genetics.

KOREAN NUT PINE $19-$39 (Pinus Koraiensis) Many commercial

nut producer for our area. These vigorous suckering shrubs begin to produce sweet oil rich nuts in 4 - 6 years. They are an excellent robust species for hedges and wind breaks. They are wind pollinated but the heavy pollen does not always travel that far. Plant at least two 4-10 feet apart for pollination.

Hazelbert:(Corylus X) A cross between the more productive European species and the more hardy disease resistant American species.

18

are cherished for their high-quality timber. Walnuts make beautiful yard trees but are not commonly planted due a long taproot, which makes large trees very difficult to transplant. Once the taproot is established trees can grow quickly. The rich, oily nuts are high in protein and are appreciated by people and wildlife alike. Best transplanted as bare-roots in early spring or late fall.

pine nuts come from Korean pines. Similar to white pines but with a slowergrowing more graceful spreading habit. They can produce nuts in 6 - 10 years. Plant more than one for pollination. Nut pines need well drained, fungally dominated soils. Inoculation with pine forest soil mycorrhizae may improve growth.

John Wire’s chestnuts harvested in Plainfield, VT! $12-$19 AMERICAN CHESTNUT (Castenea dentata) American chestnuts were once the dominant forest tree east of the Mississippi. In 1904 the chestnut blight arrived from China and within 20 years a combination of disease and preemptive logging caused the tree to go nearly extinct. However, small and large scale breeders all over the country have been working to bring back the American chestnut. Today we have hybrids available that contain some genetics from Chinese chestnuts but exhibit the characteristic traits of the American parents. Chestnuts are sweet and nutritious. They store well and may be eaten raw or cooked. Chestnuts are easy to harvest and process, and can be of tremendous value to wildlife. No species has adequately filled the gap left by the American chestnut; its return is a blessing on the land.

Plant Chestnuts on a well drained site, they will tolerate shade but produce in the sun. Give them some love and attention and keep weeds back for the first few years. Sometimes leaves on young trees show signs of iron deficiency (yellowing between the veins) which can be corrected with sulfur. Fertilize like blueberries. Once settled in they are rapid growers. John Wires’ X: Sourced from trees planted in Plainfield by John Wires (1922-2013). American growth pattern and nut quality. Parent trees are an early cross with Chinese chestnut selected for disease resistance and a pure American Chestnut. Disease resistance is uncertain.

Hybrid: A hybrid chestnut strain. Selected for vigor, productivity, and nut quality. Should be disease resistant. Nuts are larger than typical American. Trialing for hardiness here in zone 4.

19

$12-$29 OAKS (Quercus spp.) A wide range of oaks

thrive in Central Vermont. Acorns require a bit of processing before they are good for human consumption, but they are a fantastic food for all sorts of wildlife. Oaks are adaptable to a wide range of soils and become large stately trees. White Oak: (Quercus Alba) Regal, slow growing and very long lived. A majestic tree for large areas.

Burgambel Oak: (Quercus macrocarpa x gambelli) A hybrid oak selected for rapid growth and heavy nut production. Nuts are sweet for acorns. Red Oak: (Quercus rubra) Red oaks seem to be popping up all over Central Vermont as birds and rodents move them up river corridors. They are fast growing and hardy.

Growing Nut Trees from Seed Propagating nut trees from seed is a great idea and easy enough to do, given some basic information. 1. Collect fresh ripe nuts in the fall, not old dry nuts out of season. Select the best looking nuts with no obvious signs of damage. Remove any soft hulls as with black walnut or hickory. 2. Cold stratify the nuts for at least two months. A period of cold is necessary for most nuts to germinate (white oaks are one exception, germinating in the fall). In the fridge or in the ground over the winter both work well. 3. Plant the nuts in a garden bed or a permanent location and protect from rodents. Rodents will dig up and destroy nuts even after germination. Protect with pots, tree-tubes, hardware cloth... 4. Weed and mulch the seedlings. Transplant within two years of germination if necessary. Protect them from deer and give them plenty space to grow.

20

SMALL FRUITS We can grow a tremendous variety of berries here in the northern New England. They are highly nutritious and delicious. They can fit in small yards or on the edge of the orchard. There is a plant for nearly any set of growing conditions. Berries benefit both people and wildlife. Birds can be a nuisance; the best solution is often to plant more berries. Established berry plants are beautiful and with very little maintenance can be highly productive.

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) $19-$29 A delicious and much loved North American native. Blueberries are worth planting by the dozen. Everyone and their grandparents should have put in a blueberry patch 15 years ago. The least we can do is plant one today. Blueberries need an acidic soil (PH 4.5 5.5) and prefer a well drained site with good fungal activity. Amend soil with sulfur, peat moss, compost, and mulch. Though they will tolerate some shade, fruit production improves dramatically with full sun. Blueberries are somewhat self-fertile but fruit are larger and more abundant with a few different varieties. Variety

Season

Berry size

Description

Bluecrop

August

Large

Excellent all around variety, consistent yields, disease resistance, and high quality medium-large fruit. Sweet fruits ripen over a long period. Excellent flavor, great fresh or frozen.

Blueray

August

Large

Large berries with excellent flavor, consistent producer. Great ornamental qualities.

Duke

July

Large

Our earliest ripening variety. Consistent heavy yields can make branches droop. May be risky in the coldest Vermont locations.

Jersey

August September

Medium

One of the oldest blueberry varieties. Easy-to-grow, producing heavy crops of very sweet fruit. Very good for baking. Excellent for home gardeners.

Northland

August

Medium

A highly productive half-high variety. Very hardy. Fruit ripens early. Vigorous, spreading, suckering growth pattern keeps wood young and clusters fat.

Patriot

July August

Very large

Excellent flavor on an open vigorous plant. Slightly 21 squat berries. Fruit early in the season.

for baking. Excellent for home gardeners. Northland

August

Medium

A highly productive half-high variety. Very hardy. Fruit ripens early. Vigorous, spreading, suckering Berry size growth pattern keeps Description wood young and clusters fat.

Blueberries (continued) Variety

Season

Bluecrop Patriot

August July August

Largelarge Very

Reka

July August

Medium

Bluegold Rubel

August August

Medium Small

Blueray

August

Large

Tophat

August July

Small Large

Duke

all around consistent yields, disease Excellent flavor on anvariety, open vigorous plant. Slightly resistance, andFruit high early quality squat berries. in medium-large the season. fruit. Sweet fruits ripen over a long period. Excellent flavor, great Vigorous and adaptable to heavier soil types. Heavy fresh or frozen. yields of highly flavorful berries. Very of selection delicious with berries make A truelarge wildclusters highbush small but picking full fast and easy. Newer growth is often golden yellow. flavored berries. Especially high in antioxidants. Good Large berries with excellent consistent consistent producer. Ripens flavor, a bit later than bluecrop. producer. Great ornamental qualities. A productive lowbush variety, growing only 1-2 ft. Our earliest variety. Consistent heavy yields Does well in ripening containers or possibly as a bonsai. can make branches droop; requiring support. May be risky in the coldest Vermont locations.

$19-$29

Jersey

August One of the oldest blueberry varieties. Easy-to-grow, Medium September producing (Ribes heavy crops of very sweet fruit. Very good Currants and Gooseberries spp.) for baking. Excellent for home gardeners.

Currants and gooseberries have long been popular in Europe, but following attempts Northland highly productive hardy. at eradicationAugust due to fearsMedium of the whiteApine blister rust, half-high they arevariety. hardlyVery known here Fruit ripens early. Vigorous, suckering in the US. Native varieties can be found throughout the woods spreading, in Vermont. Named growth pattern keeps wood clustersfor fat. varieties have been chosen for high fruit quality. Many have alsoyoung beenand selected resistance to the white pine blister rust. The low shrubs produce clusters of delicious, Patriot July Very large Excellent flavor on an open vigorous plant. Slightly sweet-tart fruits which are high in pectin thus excellent for preserves. August squat berries. Fruit early in the season. One that will produce a cropand in adaptable the shade, in cooler Rekaof the only July berries Vigorous to ribes heavierthrive soil types. Heavy Medium spots, near trees or protected from hot late afternoon sun. They like fertile soils August yields of highly flavorful berries. rich in organic matter. Plants are self-fertile, but may produce better crops with a Rubel

August

A true wild highbush selection with small but full flavored berries. Especially high in antioxidants. Good consistent producer. Ripens a bit later than bluecrop.

Small

Red Currants VarietyAugust BerrySmall size Tophat

Description Rust A productive lowbush variety, growing only 1-2 ft. Resistant? Does well in containers or possibly as a bonsai. No Very hardy and very productive. Mildew resistant. Good as an edible ornamental.

Cherry Red

Medium

Imperial White

Medium

No

Lovely translucent white fruit with sweet mild flavor. Quick bearing and productive.

Pink Champagne

Large

Yes

Perhaps the best tasting red currant for fresh eating. Vigorous, upright, and resistant to mildew and rust.

Red Lake

Medium

Yes

Heavy producer. Excellent for jellies, pies, and fresh eating. Blister rust resistant.

Rovada

Large

Yes

Very large berries borne on long strigs makes for easy harvest. excellent flavor and disease resistance.

Berry size

Rust Resistant?

Medium

Yes

22

Variety

Ben Lomond

Description Highly productive commercial variety. Late

Rovada

Large

Yes

Very large berries borne on long strigs makes and fresh eating. Blister rust resistant. for easy harvest. excellent flavor and disease Rovada Large Yes Very large berries borne on long strigs makes Black Currants resistance. for easy harvest. excellent flavor and disease Variety Berry size Rust Description Resistant? resistance. Variety Berry size Yes Rust Description Ben Lomond Medium Highly productive commercial variety. Late Resistant? flowering makes for consistent yields. Often Ben Lomond Medium Yes Highly productive variety. Late considered the bestcommercial of the “Ben” releases. flowering makes for consistent yields. Often Minaj Smyriou Medium Yes New disease resistant variety. Flavor is rated considered the best of the “Ben” releases. very highly. Minaj Smyriou Medium Yes New disease resistant variety. Flavor is rated Titania Medium Yes A very high yielding and vigorous new disease very highly. resistant variety, reportedly reaching 6 feet. Titania Medium Yes A very high yielding and vigorous new disease Crandall Medium Yes Actually Ribes odoratum or clove currant. The resistant variety, reportedly reaching 6 feet. flavor is sweeter than other black currants Crandall Medium Yes Actually Ribes odoratum The and less pungent. A burstorofclove very currant. early yellow flavor is sweeter than other black currants flowers have a delightful clove-like fragrance. and less pungent. A burst of very early yellow Variety Berry size Rust Description Gooseberries Resistant? flowers have a delightful clove-like fragrance. VarietyRed Hinnomaki

Berry size No Rust Description Large Large, sweet, dark red berries have tangy skin Resistant? and sweet flesh. Flavor is excellent. Mildew Hinnomaki Red Large No Large, sweet, dark red berries have tangy skin resistant. and sweet flesh. Flavor is excellent. Mildew Invicta Very Large No Produces very large grape sized pale green resistant. fruit. Sprawling growth habit. My favorite Invicta Very Large No Produces very large grape sized pale green gooseberry. fruit. Sprawling growth habit. My favorite Jahn’s Prairie Medium Yes Flavorful medium sized red berries. Slightly gooseberry. more upright growth pattern. Rust resistant. Jahn’s Prairie Medium Yes Flavorful medium sized red berries. Slightly Jeanne Medium Yes Medium sized deep red berries with thin more upright growth pattern. Rust resistant. skins and sweet full flavor. Vigorous with Jeanne Medium Yes Medium sizedand deep red berries thin small thorns excellent broadwith disease skins and sweet full flavor. Vigorous with resistance. small thorns and excellent broad disease Jostaberry Large Yes A vigorous, thornless cross between black resistance. currant and gooseberry. Berries are similar Jostaberry Large Yes A vigorous, thornless cross between to gooseberries with excellent sweet black tart currant and gooseberry. Berries are glossy similar flavor. Grows to 5-6 feet with clean to gooseberries with excellent sweet tart foliage. No thorns. flavor. Grows to 5-6 feet with clean glossy Orus 8 Large Yes A new black currant gooseberry cross. Very foliage. No thorns. vigorous, productive and disease resistant Orus 8 Large Yes A new black currant cross.out. Very with good flavor. Wegooseberry are trying them vigorous, productive and disease resistant with good flavor. We are trying them out.

A Multifunctional Edible Hedge? Try hazelnut, seaberry, buffaloberry, nanking cherry, and peashrub. Deer not a big problem? try American plum, elderberry, serviceberry, and aronia. 23

pollinator. Plant 4-6 feet apart or closer $25 for a hedge.

its attractive variegated foliage, with $29 splashes of white and pink.

Hardy KiwiS (Actinidia spp.) These woody vines

JuneberrIES (Amelanchier sp.) Also know as

produce magically delicious small (1” diameter), smooth-skinned kiwiberries. Hailed as a “superfood”, it is a good source for over 20 vitamins and minerals including in potassium and vitamins C and E. Often used as an ornamental because of the lustrous foliage. Reportedly grows over 100’ in native China. Can be grown on an arbor, trellis, porch, or standing dead. Male and female plants are required for fruit. Two different species are available, the hardy kiwi (actinidia arguta) which are hardy to -25 degrees, and the arctic kiwi (actinidia kolomikta) which is hardy to -40 degrees. The arctic kiwi is slightly less vigorous and slightly less productive, though the fruits are still very delicious. It is the variety more often selected for its ornamental qualities.

Hardy KiwiS: 74-49: Despite the unflattering name This is a promising variety with large delicious fruit that ripens relatively early. Ken’s Red: Large, sweet, and mild berries ripen to a purple red. Dunbarton Oaks: Fruit ripens relatively early. Very tasty. Geneva: Hardy plant and prolific producer. Bears late in the season. MSU: A new variety which produces larger fruit (also delicious). Meader Male: Needed for pollination.

Arctic kiwiS:

September Sun Female: Large, tasty fruit ripen in late September. Arctic Beauty Male: Male pollinator, often planted as an ornamental vine for 24

serviceberry, saskatoon, or shadbush, this native berry-producing shrub is rapidly gaining popularity as a landscape plant and can be seen in plantings throughout downtown Montpelier. It has some of the earliest spring flowers, before most other trees have leafed out, and good fall color. The flavor of the delicious berries varies from apple to blueberry to almond. Enjoyed by people and wildlife alike. Plants do best in a warm dry location. Autumn Brilliance: Grows as a small tree or a large shrub. Good flowering and fruiting. Foliage resists damage better than many other varieties. Grows $25 to 15 feet.

Black Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) Native shrub

with great ornamental qualities. White flowers blooming in May, followed by large edible dark purple berries. Let them ripen on the bush through a frost and the astringency declines. Very high in iron and antioxidants. Excellent fall color ranges from yellow to red to purple. Grows to about 6’. Self-fertile. Nero: Selected for fruit quality and productivity. Slightly lower growing (3-4’). Viking: Vigorous and productive, with the good tasting fruit. Planted for $25 commercial fruit production in Europe.

Goumi (Elaegnus Multiflora) Very popular in

Russia and China where it is native. This 6-10 foot nitrogen fixing shrub produces juicy, red, cherry-sized berries flecked with gold and silver. Excellent aromatic

sweet tart flavor. For fresh eating or preserves. Plant in full sun.

long, tasty berries. Attractive dark green soft berries. Pollinate with Blue Velvet.

Red Gem: Highly productive with flavorful fruit.

$25 Lucille’s: Selected for large sweet fruit.

Blue Velvet: Velvety grey-green foliage and clusters of sweet-tart berries. $25 Pollinate with Blue Moon.

SEABERRIES (Hippophae Rhamnoides) Nitrogen-

Korean CHERRIES (Prunus Japonica) A bush cherry

fixing shrub species native to northern Europe and Asia. Prized for remarkable nutritional values, the berries are used for medicines, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements. Colorful orange berries and silvery foliage make for an attractive hedge. Male and female plants are needed for fruit set. Prefers drier sites and full sun. Plants grow 8-12 feet tall. Radiant: Bred in Siberia. Large juicy fruit are particularly high in vitamin C. Rusian Orange: Produces very large, dark orange fruit. Titan: Abundant crops of flavorful orange berries cover the branches, Great for juice or preserves. Male Sea Berry: Male pollinator. One $25 male can pollinate several female plants.

Honeyberries (Lonicera caerula var. edulis) Long

valued in its native Eastern Siberia. This member of the honeysuckle family produces tasty, elongated blue berries, good for fresh eating. Very hardy with few disease or pest problems. One of the first berries, ripening in June. Two different varieties are needed for pollination. Plants grow 4-6’ tall. Berry Blue: Grows larger than most varieties, up to 8 feet. Berries are large and sweet. Pollinate with Blue Bird. Blue Bird: Slightly more upright growth pattern, grows to 5 or 6 feet. Bears long tasty berries. Pollinate with Berry Blue. Blue Moon: Bears good crops of large,

similar to nanking cherry, with better disease resistance and fruit quality. Hardy shrub, flowers early spring, and produces delicious, sweet-tart, red cherries. Great for fresh eating, also $15 great for wildlife.

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) In fertile soil with sun blackberries will grow, spread, and produce huge crops. Plants are thorny and vigorous. The berries are best by the handful right off the plant. Our plants are a hardy productive local strain. Crops may suffer following winter temperatures below -25 degrees. Give them plenty $9 of space and let them loose. RASPberrIES

(Rubus idaes) Raspberries are quick to start bearing (usually the year after planting) and highly productive. They sucker profusely, making it easy to expand a patch. Remove dead canes in the fall to keep the patch healthy. Boyne: Excellent flavored hardy and long lived variety. Highly productive though berries are soft and smaller than Taylor. Jaclyn: A fall-bearing (primocane) variety, well-suited to Central Vermont. Firm berries with excellent flavor. Cut all canes in early winter for a fall crop or leave live canes for an early summer crop and a smaller fall crop. Taylor: Perhaps the best flavored

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$19 raspberry. Vigorous, productive canes yield long, firm berries in August.

than Samdal. Flower quality is particularly good.

Black RASPberrIES

Korsor: Selected for flowers high in sugar content used for wines or cordials.

(Rubus occidentalis) Often found

growing wild along old stone walls or abandoned edges of the yard. Selected cultivars are more productive with larger fruit. The canes grow wildly and need support. Awesome plant, awesome fruit $19-$25 Bristol: Firm fruit with excellent flavor. Productive and vigorous.

Elderberries (Sambucus canadensis) Elderberry is

rapidly gaining popularity for its edible and medicinal qualities. Shrubs are of high value to wildlife and pollinators. The following selected varieties have improved flavor and fruit set. Plants should begin to produce two years after planting. They thrive on moist (not saturated), fertile sites with good sun. Plant two varieties for best fruit set. European varieties (Sambucus nigra) have slightly better ornamental qualities and a sweeter flower fragrance.

American Elderberries Adams: Selected for good yields of large fruit produced in large clusters. Johns: High yields of sweet tangy berries. Nova: Ripens earlier than York. Large, sweet, blue fruit. Unnamed varieties from local sources: We also have our own rooted elderberry cuttings from high performing local plants.

European Elderberries Samdal: Excellent yeilding and highly vigorous. Grower friendly habit. Samyl: Production as good or better 26

Sampo: High producer with vigorous $19 growth and stiff strong branch structure.

SILVER BUFFALOBERRIES (Shepherdia argentea) This nitrogen-

fixing shrub grows 5-6’ and produces a sweet-tart berry long eaten by the natives of the great plains in pemmican. The red to yellow fruit is highly nutritious. Male and female plants are required for fruit (available plants are $19 unsexed). Good for hedges.

Grapes (Vitis spp.) Grapes thrive in well

drained soil and full sun. These vines need an arbor, trellis, or fence for support. Grapes are self-fruitful. These varieties are selected to thrive in our cold climate and shorter growing season. Lacrescent: One of the best hardy white wine grapes. Marquette: A red wine variety. Hardy and disease resistant. Somerset Seedless: A reliably hardy seedless grape ripens from pink to red. The berries though slightly small have a truly delightful complex flavor. Valiant: An extremely hardy productive concord type. Annual bearing, with large clusters.

USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL SPECIES We offer a selection of ornamental and useful species. Plants we love for more $19 than their fruit.

GrEy Alder (Alnus incana) A hardy native nitrogen

with white flowers in spring, dark green foliage and berries for birds in the fall. $19-$59

Hawthorn (Crateagus spp.)A small rugged

flowering tree. Known in Ireland as prime fairy habitat. Hawthorn is notable for its small crabapple like fruit, cherished by wildlife and as a highly nutritious heart tonic. Grows best in well drained soils with full sun.

Crimson Cloud: (Crateagus laevigata) This nearly thornless variety is covered fixing small to medium sized tree. Fast with white centered deep pink to red growing. Great for coppicing or planting flowers in the spring. Deep red fruit. A $19 on thin, wet, degraded soils. terrific small yard tree.

SIBERIAN PEASHRUB (Caragana arborescens) This rugged,

nitrogen fixing shrub also provides highprotein fodder for chickens in the form of its small peas. Plant several to form a hedge. Attractive fine foliage, lovely $25 yellow flowers in May.

RED-twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) Lovely red stems

make for one of the most attractive shrubs come November. Easy to grow,

Native Hawthorn (Crateagus Douglasi) Black hawthorn, hardy and

thorny. Can be pruned as a tree or shrub. White flowers in spring after the apples bloom and berries in the fall for birds or medicine. $25

Forsythia (Forsythia)

Northern Gold: Outstanding golden yellow flowers on an upright plant

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growing to 6-8 feet. Let her Sprawl! $19

Honey Locust (Gleditsia Tricacnthos) A leguminous

tree with fine foliage. Produces a large seed pod with edible pulp which makes good fodder for livestock. Very hardy and relatively fast growing. Great in the $25 yard or the pasture.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

PeeGee: The classic hardy hydrangea, prolific rounded creamy blooms persist for months. $25

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) The best shrub for

the winter landscape in Vermont. Female plants are covered in bright red berries persisting well into winter until finally cleaned off by birds. Plant a male and female variety for fruit. Southern Gentleman: Male pollinator for winter red.

Flowering Crabs (Malus spp.) Spring flowers, lustrous

foliage, and colorful fruit that persists through the winter providing food for birds make for a plant that provides year round interest. A big plus in a landscape with only three months of summer. Structurally interesting as well, their spreading branch pattern will reach a mature height of around 20 feet making it a great tree to plant close to a house or in a yard. These selections are resistant to a range of diseases that often affect crab apples making them easy to grow. Prairie Fire Crab: Dark purple-red flowers arriving in late spring. The shiny, dark red bark and persistent maroon fruits make this an exceptionally attractive tree for the many cold months when the leaves are off. Snowdrift Crab: A hardy low maintenance crab. Pink flower buds erupt into an explosion of white. Glossy $19 red orange fruit persist into winter.

BLACK LOCUST

Winter Red: Bright red fruit cover the (Robinia pseudoacacia) A loved and winter branches. Deep green foliage in loathed nitrogen-fixing early succession the summer. Does fine in the shade. $25 tree. Excellent for shifting old-field to forest. Aromatic flowers in late spring Amur Maackia provide an excellent pollen source. Black (Maackia amurensis) An underutilized locusts have been planted historically hardy ornamental tree. I think of it as to draw lightning away from structures. ‘white locust”. A fast growing nitrogen This species is vigorous and fast fixer adaptable to poor soils but with growing, it can also send up shoots into moderate size, smooth golden green $19 surrounding areas from its roots. bark, and no invasive qualities. Delicate green foliage is covered with silver fur in RUGOSA ROSE spring. Bees enjoy the panicles of cream $59 (Rosa rugosa) A hardy vigorous rose. colored flowers. Forms thickets, providing habitat for

Looking for something else? Additional species are available. Let us know what you are looking for; we may have it or be able to find it. Please inquire for volume discounts. 28

birds. Pink flowers bloom for months, making an long lasting pollen source. The hips are an excellent food source for $29 wildlife.

Mountain Ash (Sorbus Aucuparia) Also known as rowan trees. A magical tree known to provide protection from evil spirits. Also a lovely yard tree with

spring flowers and bright orange-red berries beloved by birds. Allow it to grow multiple trunks for a longer life.$29

LILACS (Syringa vulgaris) A much loved part

of the New England landscape. The fragrant purple blossoms around old farmhouses are an essential aspect of spring in Vermont. Common Purple: The classic.

Monge: Red-purple flowers borne on

long stems, excellent for cut flowers. $35

Basswood (Tilia americana) An uncommon

multistemmed native tree, beloved by all the creatures of the forest. It is often found in healthy hardwood forests and sugarbushes or along ancient stonewalls. The center of larger trees rots out creating a home for porcupines, honeybees, chickadees and others. The flowers provide an abundance of nectar and are an essential source of propolis for honeybees. The tender early spring leaves make a pleasant salad green and $19 the wood is perfect for carving.

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum Trilobum) A vigorous

native shrub that produces bright red berries that persist into winter, great for birds and used in sauces or jam. Does best with oldest stems pruned out every

Growing trees on challenging sites and the Hugelkultur Most fruiting plants require well drained soils. Trees and shrubs in saturated soil (annuals too for that matter) will slowly suffocate or rot for lack of air to the root system. Heavy rains and heavy soils prevalent in Vermont can make siting a challenge. A raised bed is a great strategy for improving drainage and air flow in the soil. Woody plants appreciate it just as much as annuals. However, given the larger size of the root system, a larger bed is often in order. How do we build an adequately large pile? We frequently plant trees and shrubs into piles of coarse woody debris loosely covered with topsoil and compost, an age old practice called hugelkultur (translated loosely from German as ‘hill-beds’). Woody debris are abundant in our landscape and easy to move and pile. Depending on the wetness of the existing site and the anticipated size of the root mass, the mound may be adjusted accordingly. We have planted into mounds from 6 inches to 6 feet tall. In addition to improving drainage, the wood acts as a sponge improving water retention in dry times. The decomposition supports healthy fungi in the soil. Decomposing wood will also draw nitrogen so it is worth adding animal manure or an organic fertilizer for the first couple years. 29

Rock Minerals and Soil Amendments Sadly many soils in Vermont are exhausted. Thousands of years of rain and a couple hundred years of agriculture have washed away many essential nutrients. We sell a wide selection of organic soil amendments, rock dusts, and fertilizers to ensure your plants are getting everything they need. Most amendments are also available in smaller quantities for $2/lb. $36/ 44#

$18/40#

A-Z Of Minerals Including Trace Elements. A mineral deposit formed when an ancient seabed was mixed with rare-earth elements via volcanic activity, resulting in the most elementally diverse $22/50# rock dust known. Great for everything.

Calcium Sulfate. A source of calcium that will not raise soil PH. 23% calcium and 19% sulfur, trace amounts of potassium and magnesium. Gypsum has capacities to enliven soil and improve soil texture that seem to go beyond its chemical constituents. Pelletized. $12/40#

few years.

Azomite

Bone Char

Bone-char provides 16% available phosphate, and 32% overall. Also a good source of Calcium. The char structure improves the soil’s capacity to hold and $10/40# store nutrients.

Dolomitic Lime

Calcium Magnesium Carbonate. 30% Calcium and 10% Magnesium. A good choice for calcium when magnesium $38/50# may also be needed.

gypsum

High-cal Lime

Calcium Carbonate. This is an excellent source of calcium (35%) without adding Magnesium. Calcium performs essential roles in the plant relating to cellular integrity and root development. Calcium improves soil structure and health. Much needed for tired, acidic, leached soils in Vermont. $35/50#

Phosphate rock

Elemental Sulfur

About 20% phosphorous, though only 2-3% immediately available. Also high in calcium and trace minerals. $38/50#

Greensand

An excellent gentle organic nitrogen source for trees and shrubs $31/50# (8-1-2). $17/25#

90% Sulfur. Great for lowering soil PH for acid loving plants (blueberries). $28/50# Pelletized. High potassium (very slow release) rock dust formed from ancient seabed in New Jersey. Many trace minerals especially manganese (essential for seed and fruit formation). Also improves moisture holding and aeration in the soil.

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Peanut Meal

Pro-Holly

A blended organic fertilizer specifically formulated for acid loving plants (i.e. blueberries and chestnuts). (5-4-6)

$30/50#

Pro-gro

$17/25#

Blended organic fertilizer. Great for woody plants as well as vegetables. (5$40/50# 3-4)

Sul-po-mag Langbeinite rock, 22% sulfur, 11% $8/6# potassium, 22% magnesium.

the right foot. Mix 3lbs in the hole and scratch 3lbs in on the soil surface. $25

Additional Items Fencing KIT

Everything you need to thoroughly protect your tree from deer and rodents. A 6 ft tall ring of welded wire fencing, $2 stakes, and a rodent screen.

Tree Starter Mix

Rodent Screens

Our custom blend of greensand, gypsum, rock phosphate, sul-po-mag, kelp and azomite. Recipe may change slightly depending on the time of year. Perfect for ensuring your trees get off on

Easy to make your own or get one from us. We use a square of aluminum window screen rolled around the base of the trunk to prevent rodent damage and deter borers. 

A Slightly Nerdy Note on Soil Amending: The soil is the digestive system of the plant. Healthy soil and soil biology are essential for healthy plants. Support the biology through applications of organic materials such as composts and mulch. Beyond light, air, and water, everything the plant needs must be present in the soil. Most soils in Vermont are lacking in major and minor mineral nutrients. Good compost provides a broad spectrum of nutrients as well as organic matter and healthy biology. A soil test will tell you more precisely what your soils may need, interpretation of the test may take some additional understanding (we offer soil testing and consulting services). Short of a soil test, plant species present and plant performance can give an indication of nutrients available or lacking. That said, most fruit crops will benefit from a one-time fall application of lime at a rate of about 40 lbs per 1000 square ft. It is a good idea to use a mix of both hi-cal lime and dolomitic lime. Gypsum fills the same need for calcium and may be applied any time of year. We often apply gypsum and sul-po-mag broadly at the time of planting at a rate of about 3 to 1. Better soils grow better crops. We have been experimenting here on the farm with growing nutrient dense crops via careful balancing of major and minor soil nutrients. The results have been enouraging. Call us for support doing the same on your land. 31

Our Services Design

We offer complete landscape design services. We will work with you to develop a design and planting plan appropriate for you and your site. We provide information and education for ongoing management.

Consultation

We provide private on-site consultations at a reasonable price. We will help you answer any landscape questions you have. We offer site assessment, planting ideas, siting, orchard or garden planning, and advice

Soil Analysis

Healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy people. Following a soil test we provide analysis, recommendations, and materials for balancing major and minor nutrients in your garden or orchard soils. Grow nutrient dense crops!

Planting

We love to plant and will do it right. We bring compost, mulch, soil amendments, fencing and know-how to ensure that your plantings thrive.

PRuning

We offer professional pruning primarily during the winter months. We prune fruit trees and berry plants (we will also prune the occasional ornamental shrub or small tree). We enjoy restoring old untended fruit trees. We can also educate you to prune your own trees. We bill for time and materials and are happy provide estimates upon request.

Contact: Nicko Rubin (802) 454-7874 or [email protected] 32

Pruning Fruit Trees and Berry Plants Pruning Fruit Trees: Fruit trees benefit from annual pruning during the dormant season. Pruning stimulates new growth and the development of younger and more productive or healthy wood. Work with the long term structure of the tree in mind.Young trees need minimal pruning until they begin to bear. On older trees this may mean removing difficult to pick wood in the top of the tree and cycling out older wood. Remove any dead or diseased wood. Remove any misplaced branches, in the way of paths, vehicles, etc. Prune to allow sun and air into the tree. Sun is important for the development of healthy wood, and for the ripening of fruit. Good air flow will reduce both insect and fungal pests. Heavy pruning during the dormant season is not likely to kill a tree; however, the more wood removed the greater the volume of new growth as the tree attempts to create a canopy to balance its root system. Over virgorous suckers are slow to bear; be sure to leave enough fruit buds throughout the tree (fruit buds are typically fatter buds that stick out from the sides of the branch), as fruiting is the best way to check excessive growth. Pruning Shrubs: Young shrubs usually need little to no pruning besides the removal of the occasional dead or broken branch. Mature shrubs benefit from renewal pruning. Typically the most productive flowering and fruiting wood is only a few years old, removing the oldest and typically least vigorous stems at their base will encourage new growth and ensure that enough light is reaching them to develop into productive wood. Prune during winter or early spring when plants are dormant. Elderberry: Cut back the oldest stems to the ground every year or cut the entire plant to the ground every few years to maintain a vigorous and healthy plant. Two year old wood is usually the most productive. Blueberry: Remove any dead or damaged wood annually, and occasionally (every 4-6 years) remove the oldest and largest stems. Older wood becomes less productive over time and should be replaced with new growth. Currants: Remove anything more than three or four years old, the most productive wood is two or three years old. Prune to keep plants upright for ease of management. How to Make Your Cuts: Trees do not heal, they section off any damaged tissue and continue to grow around it. When you make your cut, cut as close as you can to the branch collar (the swelling often at the base of a branch as it enters the tree) but do not cut into it or into the trunk of the tree (cuts should be not quite flush). Enjoy yourself out there! Pruning is a good reason to get outside in the winter. Short of a teacher, the experience that comes with practice and observation is the best way to learn.

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PLANTING DIRECTIONS There are many theories regarding the best ways to plant. We recommend adding compost or other fertilizers primarily on the soil surface, except in cases of very poor soils. Here is our advice: 1. If possible, transplant in cool damp weather. Early in the morning, in the evening, or in a light rain are great times. 2. Dig a hole at least twice as wide and approximately as deep as the pot the plant is in. Roughen the sides of the hole thoroughly to allow roots to penetrate. 3. Remove the plant from the pot and roughen the edges of the rootball. Spread or cut any circling roots. 4. Place the plant in the hole, and refill it with the same soil that came out of the hole, adding any rock minerals or soil amendments. Firm the soil with your hands. The potting soil or the base of the plant should be level or slightly above the surrounding grade. In heavier soils, planting slightly high will help to ensure the crown of the plant has adequate drainage (see the note on Hugelkultur on page 29). Remove the sod or place it upside down beyond the edge of the hole to help contain water. 5. Water thoroughly. Soak the planting hole before, during, and after planting. Water is essential for successful transplanting. 6. Add compost and mulch. Mulch can be used to form a dish to direct water to the plant. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant to avoid any rot. 2-4 inches of wood chips, bark mulch, leaves, or most other organic material will help tremendously to hold moisture, discourage weeds, and encourage healthy soil life. A layer of newspaper or cardboard underneath the mulch can effectively block weeds for a season. Water for the first season if the soil around the plant feels at all dry. Feed in the late fall or spring with compost, manure, or other organic fertilizer. Protect young plants from deer and rodents! 34

PLANTING DIAGRAM

Soil mounded to contain water

Mulch Compost

Root-ball thoroughly roughened to free circling roots and maximize contact with soil

Cardboard layer between compost and mulch

Undisturbed soil beneath root-ball

Hole at least twice as wide as root-ball

Additional Notes:

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Nicko Rubin East Hill Tree Farm 3499 East Hill Rd Plainfield, VT 05667

802.454.7874 [email protected] www.easthilltreefarm.com

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www.easthilltreefarm.com

phone: 802.454.7874 [email protected]

3499 East Hill Rd Plainfield, VT 05667

Bless up the Earth!

East Hill Tree Farm

PRESORTED STANDARD U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 222 BARRE VT