Fruit and Nut Trees

by steve stamos

The Fig tree is a genus of about 800 species of trees and shrubs of the family Moraceae native to the tropics with a few species extending into the warm temperate zone. The most well known species in the genus is the common fig or F. carica. F.Carica is a plant native to the Mediterranean region it produces commercial edible fruits or more correctly flowers called figs. There are many other species that produce edible fruit though not widely consumed. Most species are evergreen but some grown in temperate and long dry season areas are deciduous.

The fruit (fig) is bulbous shaped with a small opening at the distal end and derives from a specialized structure called a syconium; a special arrangement of flowers found inside a fig. The flowers are pollinated by very small wasps that crawl through the distal opening or ostiole. There is only one species of wasp for each species of fig, and therefore plantings of fig species outside of their native range results in sterile individuals.

In the wild there are two types of each species of fig tree: the hermaphrodite fig, that produces pollen but seeds to generate a new tree; and the female, that produces no pollen but produces three crops of figs throughout the year, one of which if pollinated, produces a seeds can produce a new tree. Most figs are hermaphrodite.

Fig trees grows from 3 to 9 meters tall with a shallow spreading root system that sometimes covers15 m) of ground, but in good permeable soil some of the roots may descend to 6 m. Figs can be propagated from seeds but also easily propagated from cuttings. There are many varieties in each class of cultivated figs. Fresh figs are very perishable. The fig tree is susceptible to attack by nematodes most commonly Meloidogyne spp.)

fig
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by steve stamos

The pummelo is an ancestor of the common grapefruit. The tree may grow to be 5 to 15 tall, with trunk 10-30 cm thick and irregular branches. The leaves are mostly ovate 5-20 cm long and 2-10 cm wide, leathery and green, glossy above, dull and hairy underneath. The flowers are fragrant, yellowish-white borne usually in clusters of 2 to 10 with 4 to 5 petals. The tree produces large, yellow when ripe, citrus fruit.

The pummelo is native to southeastern Asia and of Malaysia has never been cultivated to any great extent in other parts of the world. Generally, it is casually grown there as a specimen of curiosity in private gardens. It is a near-tropical tree that flourishes naturally at low altitudes close to the sea. It is frost hardy, but grows best in warmer climates with lots of rainfall and flood plains. It is highly tolerant of brackish water

Propagation is by seeds. The seeds can be stored for three months at 5º C and 55 to 60% humidity before they are plant out. Seedlings differ little from their parents. The pummelo trees are spaced about 3 to 5 m apart. Among the insect pests of pummelo are a leaf miner and scale insects

Pummelos can flower up to four times a year with four harvesting seasons and with the main crop in November. It is said that fruits that ripen at other seasons have fewer seeds and superior taste and flavor. Fruits picked when just beginning to turn yellow. They keep for long periods and approximately after three months, the peel will be deeply wrinkled but the pulp will be juicier and with more appealing flavor than in the fresh fruit. Pammelos are an excellent source of the vitamin C

It is worth the effort to peel a pummelo, remove the skin from the segments, and eat the juicy pulp. Skinned segments can be used in salads and desserts or made into preserves. The juice makes an excellent beverage and the peel can be candied. The peel contains skin irritants which can cause dermatitis having excessive contact with the oil of the outer peel.

The flowers been highly aromatic are gathered for making perfume. In the Southeast Asia, decoctions of the leaves, flowers, and the rind are given for their sedative effect on epilepsy.

Pummelo

Ttrees2grow

all about fruit and nut bearing trees

by steve stamos

The Lilly Pilly tree is one of the best-known Australian plants. Native to Queensland, Australia is usually found in subtropical rainforest areas, or in dry rain forest areas near streams. Lilly pilly is an excellent evergreen tree fairly hardy with over 60 different varieties all of which appear to be edible. Protection should be given from long frosts.

The trees enjoy profuse amounts of water but will grow in drier areas. The lilly pilly ranges from a small bush to a large tree. Most commonly grows between 3 an 7 meters. They have a hard and fine-grained wood. Leaves are smooth ovate and panicles of small fluffy white flowers are produced generally in spring followed by large bunches of deep purple fruit which ripen a couple of months later. The trees make excellent screens, windbreaks or garden ornamental specimens. New growth can range from brilliant pink to a red-brown. Fruit is edible and it is loved by many kinds of birds. They will normally fall in late autumn if not eaten by birds.

The small leaved lilly pilly produces masses of red pear shaped fruit. The fruit has a juicy flavor somewhat like cinnamon. It is a very popular ingredient in bush tucker dishes. The fruit of Lilly pilly is edible but is not the tastiest of fruits. They are however delicious when made into a chutney, or lilly pilly jelly. Fruit for jelly should be fully matured, but not over-ripe. There is a large range of lilly pillies. If you deside to have one in your garden select one best suited to your garden, for size and resistant to the lilly pilly psyllid. Propagation is by cuttings and seeds.

lilly pilly
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