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Climate

Climate matters when choosing fruit trees, a lot. Different trees have different cold tolerances. One tree might not need more than a few weeks of cold nights to complete its dormancy cycle, while another might need a few months. Some trees produce fruit that ripens early in the season, while others need a very long growing season in order to achieve full deliciousness. 

We have done our best to add chill hours requirements and growing zone restrictions to the description of every variety we sell, but unfortunately this information is not known for all varieties. If you are uncertain about whether a specific tree will tolerate the climate where you live, you can try to find out whether other growers in your area have had any success with it, or you can compare your climate to the native climate of the variety. 

The following pages will help you understand the basics of the climate factors you need to take into consideration when choosing fruit trees.

Growing Zones

Chill Hours

Microclimate: Light and Slope






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