Edible trees for your commercial landscape? It may sound a little crazy, but it’s very on trend for the year 2017. 2017 is all about embracing nature in an inviting and unique way, and that’s just what edible trees allow you to do. Several different fruiting tree options thrive in the zone 7 and 8 areas of South Carolina, and we want to break down a few that can really stand as a focal point in your commercial landscape:
- Kieffer Pear (Pyrus communis x P. pyrifolia) – The Kieffer Pear tree grows beautifully in zones 4 through 9, making it a perfect choice for a fruit tree in your South Carolina commercial landscape. This is a fast growing tree that works well in smaller landscape spaces, quickly taking on a height of 30 to 40 feet. The Kieffer Pear tree is especially hardy and simple to grow, and produces rich and delicious golden pear fruit.
- Dwarf Gala Apple Tree (Malus “gala”) – The Dwarf Gala Apple Tree is one of the most popular varieties of “home orchard” apple trees due its hardy nature, beautiful flowers, and delicious fruit. The Gala apple fruit are naturally resistant to bruising and softening, allowing those on the property delicious fresh fruit without a whole lot of work needed. This type of tree reaches a 10 to 15 foot mature height, with an 8 to 10 foot width.
- Early Golden Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) – The Early Golden Apricot Tree shows off pink and white flowers, and produces ripe golden apricots during the summer months of July and August. The tree thrives beautifully in zones 5 through 8, and grows quickly to maturity.
Pros And Cons Of A Fruit Tree To Your Commercial Landscape
While it’s true that fruit trees can create a mess in any environment as fruit falls to the ground, regular landscape maintenance can keep this to a minimum, while providing employees or customers with a healthy and delightful snack fresh from a useful natural landscape. If you are interested in the natural edible route without the risk of a mess, opting for a fruiting bush or shrub, like a raspberry or blueberry bush, can provide all the same benefits without creating a messy situation.
The South Carolina zones 7 and 8 are perfect for supporting the growth of several different types of fruiting trees and bushes, all of which you can incorporate into your commercial landscape in order to create a useful and unique landscape element that guests, employees, customers, and all visitors are sure to love.
