Shade Loving Dwarf Fruit Trees

Understanding Shade

• When selecting a plant for your garden, check that you're accurately referring to your garden's growing conditions so you can communicate clearly with local nurseries or your area's extension service. Note how many hours of sunlight the tree will receive daily. A spot that receives no direct sun at all has full shade. The area may receive reflected light from light-colored walls. If your spot gets only a few hours of direct sunlight, it has partial shade or medium shade. Most gardens have some areas of medium shade, where taller trees or buildings block either the morning or afternoon sun. Light shade receives slightly more light, with just a few hours of shade or dappled light each day.

Dwarf Plants

• If you plan to plant a fruit tree in a small space, such as a backyard garden, many dwarf varieties are designed to bear high quality fruit in relatively small spaces. Typically, a smaller fruit tree is produced by grafting the fruit tree onto a dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock. If your local nurseries don't sell dwarf trees, you may find a larger selection from mail-order companies. Typically, dwarf varieties measure up to 10 feet tall and should be planted 6 to 8 feet from other trees, whereas semi-dwarf trees are 10 to 16 feet tall and need a spacing of 12 to 18 feet.

True Trees

• For a fruit tree that grows upright, dwarf varieties of many popular stone fruits are available, including peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots, as well as cherries, pears and apples. Because individual varieties have such varied climate needs, it's advisable to consult a local horticultural expert for customized advice on plant selection. Upright-growing dwarf trees may require stakes for support, because their branches are typically more brittle than full-size varieties, as in the case of many dwarf apple trees. Planting an upright tree may also mean that sunlight hits the upper branches in a spot where a low-growing plant would experience full shade.

Alternatives

• Instead of a true tree, another option is to plant shrubs or brambles with berries, which typically grow well in the shade, are relatively compact and produce edible fruits. If you have light shade, opt for blackberries or raspberries. For medium shade, you can get a reasonable yield from currant or gooseberry bushes. The papaw grows as either a shrub or a tree and thrives in shady spots. Though it's less commonly eaten by humans, its edible fruit attracts wildlife.