What is a Fruit Salad Tree?

The Fruit Salad Tree, developed in 1990 by the West Family of northern New England, New South Wales, bears up to six different fruits of the same family on the one plant. All fruits retain their own individuality, with staggered ripening times.

There are four tree types:

• Stone Fruit grows peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots (up to two varieties of these fruits, all ripening at different times) and peachcot. Maximum height

3 x 2m wide, in ground, good for pots too.

• Citrus grows oranges (two varieties, winter and summer), mandarins, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangelos, lemonades, pomelos. (Dwarfing). Maximum height

2 x 2m wide, in ground, ideal for pots too.

• Multi apples only: maximum height

2.5 x 2m wide, in ground, pots also, good to espalier.

• Multi nashis fruit only: maximum height 4 x 2m wide, in ground, good to espalier.

The Fruit Salad Tree can be grown in the ground like normal fruit trees, or in pots for those people with very limited space. Instead of having numerous different trees with more fruit than your household can consume, there is only one tree with all of the fruits ripening naturally over a period of months. There can be more than one variety of an individual fruit on a tree, thus extending the picking time. There are trees available to suit different climatic conditions, whether cool, warm, tropical or subtropical.

There are different varieties of fruits to suit different climates. Warm/ temperate climates can grow stone fruits, citrus and tropical apple types, while cold climates can grow all four tree types.

While the tree is young, it’s most important that the grafted branches grow at an even rate. It is necessary to cut back any vigorous growing branches and keep the tree balanced, otherwise the faster growing branches deprive the slower growing branches of nutrients. It is also necessary to remove any shoots that are growing from the rootstock below ground level or from the main central trunk of the tree.

While the tree is young, it’s most important that the framework (branches) of each individual graft grows at an even rate, compared to the others. It is necessary to cut back any vigorous growing grafts and keep the tree “balanced”, otherwise the faster growing framework deprives the slower growers of nutrients. It is also necessary to remove any shoots that are growing from the rootstock tree, below ground level or from anywhere along the main central trunk of the tree.

Fruit Salad Trees can be grown in a pot. Planting can take place at any time of the year. You can start with a pot 30-45cm wide (or larger) and deep. Upsizing each Winter is best. We recommend a good potting mix (50/50) with top soil and fertiliser (organic and old is best) combination. You can use a slow release fertiliser as well. Top up annually with organic fertiliser and mulch. A good layer of mulch on top helps prevent the stress of top feeder roots drying out and keeps them cool. Keep moist at all times.

Repot every year or two years during winter when the tree is dormant and annual pruning is taking place (citrus after fruiting, in winter). Change soil and check root system. If roots are wrapping themselves around the pot in a circular form, then either replant in a larger pot with roots spread out, or, if you want to maintain pot size, cut off the circular roots, at the same time pruning the top to balance, then repot.

Fruit size is not reduced when growing in a pot, only the tree size, which is determined by the size of the pot.

Trees are grown so that the fruiting branches begin from approximately 10cm above the soil level, keeping the height to a minimum, which allows easy harvesting, eliminating the need for ladders.

Order Direct Online www.fruitsaladtrees.com

For more information contact: James and Kerry West

Fruit Salad Tree Company™

Gulf Road, Emmaville, NSW, 2371. Ph: 02 6734 7204

Fax: 02 6711 1108

Trees are despatched all year round (while in stock) and are permitted entry into all states of Australia.