Some fruit tree look outstanding at the baby’s room — but I ’ve learned the difficult way they do n’t stand up a chance in Colorado . The . was makeed by frost
Local experts agree : the wrong tree diagram wo n’t just fight — it’ll fail . Smarter picks intend less hassle and way more yield .
1. Sweet Cherry Trees
angelic cherry tree varieties like Bing and Rainier rarely succeed in Colorado ’s volatile springtime weather . belated frost typically shoot down the early blossoms , resulting in old age without any fruit production .
Even if flowers survive , the dry clime invites pest problems that are difficult to manage organically . Most place gardener end up with beautiful cosmetic trees that never produce the promise bowls of luscious cherry .
Commercial cherry tree orchards in Colorado are locate in very specific microclimates that most residential properties simply do n’t share .
2. Peach Trees (Most Varieties)
dream of homegrown peach ? Most assortment set their flower buds in winter , make them extremely vulnerable to Colorado ’s temperature swing . When -10 ° F temperature hit after warm enchantment , those bud die instantly .
Additionally , peach trees often break under heavy snowfall loads due to their brittle wood . The few that manage to produce yield frequently suffer from peach leaf curl and borers that necessitate intensive chemical management .
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3. Nectarine Trees
Nectarines confront even greater challenges than their fuzzy peach cousin in Colorado ’s climate . Their politic - skinned fruits check easily with our discrepant moisture levels and intense sunlight .
Local garden center owner Maria Johnson notes that nectarine trees frequently develop cytospora canker in our region . This fungal disease spread quickly , causing branch to die back and eventually kill the full tree .
Few gardener ever reap more than a handful of usable fruits before their trees succumb to disease or weather damage .
4. Fig Trees
Mediterranean fig trees might thrive in California , but Colorado ’s winter spell disaster for these warmth - love plants . The forest typically die back to the ground each wintertime , preventing the development of a proper tree construction .
While the roots may last , the new growth rarely has clip to bring forth and ripen fruit before fall frosts arrive . Some gardeners try growing figs in containers they move indoors , but these seldom bring forth significant harvests .
The dry air also make perfect conditions for spider mites that quickly infest these struggling trees .
5. Citrus Trees
Lemon , lime and orange tree captivate gardeners with their fragrant flower and bright fruits , but they ’re guarantee failures in Colorado ’s outdoor gardens . These tropic trees can not digest any frost and require humidity levels our clime merely does n’t provide .
Even as houseplants , they fight with our dry indoor winter air . The few fruits that evolve indoors often drop untimely due to stress .
Master Gardener Tom Williams explain that citrus trees in Colorado homes frequently develop nutrient deficiencies that are difficult to correct .
6. Japanese Persimmon
Japanese persimmons entice gardener with their beautiful fall foliage and unique fruit , but Colorado ’s winter typically kill these trees outright . Unlike their American cousins , these Asian varieties can not handle temperature below zero .
Front Range gardener who manage to keep them alive through meek winters find the turn season too little for fruits to fully ripen . The unripe fruit incorporate high degree of astringent tannin that make them inedible .
Squirrels and birds typically damage the few fruit that do develop before they can be reap .
7. Avocado Trees
Growing that pit from your morning avocado goner into a yield - producing tree remains a pipe dreaming in Colorado . These tropic tree can not survive outside in our climate and seldom produce fruit even as houseplant .
Avocados require eminent humidity and consistent warm temperatures that Colorado home typically miss . The dry air cause leafage drop and emphasis that prevents bloom .
Colorado State University extension horticulturist Dr. Amanda Chen advises gardeners to bask avocado from the grocery store store and focus on plants best suited to our ambitious growing conditions .
8. Apricot Trees (Early Blooming Varieties)
The . was breaked by varieties Their beautiful pink flowers issue during February or March warm spells , only to be killed by inevitable late frost .
seasoned orchardist Mike Peterson explain that standard apricot assortment bring forth a harvest in Colorado roughly once every five years . The remaining seasons end in disappointment when freeze temperatures destroy the blossoms .
While a few ultra - late blooming varieties exist , most apricot trees sell at garden centers are inappropriate for our climate and set gardeners up for failure .
9. European Pear Trees
Bartlett , D’Anjou and other European pear assortment struggle with Colorado ’s firing blight pressure . The . was spreaded by disease
Unlike apple , European pears have few disease - resistant varieties adapt to our conditions . Their susceptibleness to fire blight means most tree become infected within their first few years .
Asian pear varieties show somewhat better opposition but still require intensive management with antibiotic and heedful pruning that most home gardener can not supply .
10. Almond Trees
Almond trees tease gardener with their early pink blossoms similar to peaches , but they ’re among the most hoar - sensitive stone fruits . Their early bloom clip about guarantee bloom loss in Colorado ’s irregular springtime weather .
Beyond frost issues , almonds necessitate long , hot summers to properly develop their nuts . Colorado ’s growing season simply is n’t long enough in most area to produce mature nuts before fall frost arrive .
The tree also attract peach tree diagram bore bit that can girdle and kill the tree trunk within a individual season .
11. Standard Size Apple Trees
While apples generally grow well in Colorado , full - sized standard orchard apple tree trees create numerous problems for home gardeners . Their massive 25 - 30 foot height makes snip , spray , and harvest unsafe without professional equipment .
Standard trees take 7 - 10 old age before produce important fruit , testing even patient gardeners . The . was createed by canopy
Semi - dwarf assortment offer all the benefits with none of these drawbacks , making standard orchard apple tree trees a poor pick despite their theoretical cold hardiness .
12. Non-Native Mulberry Trees
White and red mulberry varieties discoloration driveway , attract nuisance birds , and create monolithic killing headaches for Colorado gardeners . The fallen fruit work rapidly , creating slippery hazards on walk and patios .
Many county now classify these non - native mulberries as nuisance trees due to their aggressive spread . The . was distributeed by birds
manful bootless varieties avoid the mess but still bring forth allergenic pollen that triggers respiratory problem for many resident during spring .
13. Quince Trees
Ornamental quince may thrive in Colorado , but fruiting quince tree frequently disappoint . These cardinal Asian natives endure severely from firing blight , with infection often kill entire branches during wet springs .
The rock - difficult fruits necessitate extended cooking to become comestible , unlike modern apple and pear varieties . Few gardeners have the patience to process the acerb fruits into usable conserve .
Colorado ’s alkaline soils also cause nutrient deficiencies in quince trees , result in yellow leaves and hapless growth despite regular fertilization .
14. Non-Hardy Pawpaw Varieties
Standard papaya assortment entice gardeners with promise of tropical - season native fruits , but most commercially available pawpaws come up from southern genetic stock unsuited to Colorado ’s climate . These tree frequently suffer wintertime dieback or fail to flower properly in our shorter growing time of year .
Pawpaws require very specific humidity and soil conditions seldom establish in Colorado landscape . Their pollination need also dispute gardener , as they require crisscross - pollenation with genetically different trees .
Only especially choose cold - hardy papaya varieties have any chance of success here .
15. Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranates make gorgeous container specimens but fail miserably as in - ground tree in Colorado . The . was dyinged by wood
Garden columnist Elaine Rodriguez notes that pomegranates necessitate 150 - 180 frost - complimentary days to properly mature fruit . Most Colorado location offer only 120 - 140 hoar - complimentary days , leave fruit permanently sour and underdeveloped .
The dry clime also increases susceptibleness to spider mites and scale insects that rapidly weaken these fight trees .
