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View Full Version : Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed.


Want Them All
09-17-2009, 12:24 PM
The part of the yard where I planted the fruit trees measures about 20' x 60'. For most of them I have built individual canopies to provide relief from the intense heat in the middle of summer here in Bakersfield. I must say that it has worked OK, I'm getting longan fruits, and the mango and starfruit trees look pretty healthy. The recently acquired jujube, cherimoya, guava appear to be fine as well. However, I still get some leaf burns when some branches stick outside the canopies.

I'm tossing around the idea of using steel plumbing pipes to assemble a framework that is 6' high and run the entire length of my yard. The vertical pipes can be maybe 10' apart. Then I can fasten plant shade cloth to provide what will effectively be a roof. In the winter time, I can remove the cloth or keep it on for freeze protection.

Does this plan sound reasonable to you guys? Or is it unnecessary? Do you think I have too much free time on my hands? :ha:

Foreground is a mango, then longan, Australian cherimoya, far end is avocado.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=23199&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23199&ppuser=5976)

Richard
09-17-2009, 02:13 PM
Nice looking shelters and healthy trees!

Let's face it though, what you really want is a 25 foot high enclosure that encompases your entire yard. :D

Want Them All
09-17-2009, 02:44 PM
Nice looking shelters and healthy trees!

Let's face it though, what you really want is a 25 foot high enclosure that encompases your entire yard. :D

Haha, if only the HOA would approve it. That would provide enough height for my jackfruit "tree", now measuring 11". Gotta transplant that bad boy to a larger pot this weekend.

sunfish
09-18-2009, 05:42 PM
Why not plant bananas to shade your trees.

Want Them All
09-19-2009, 12:36 AM
Why not plant bananas to shade your trees.

You mean plant them in between all the fruit trees? I never thought of that. Would that be too crowded. I'd like nothing more than walking through the yard among greens.

sunfish
09-19-2009, 12:49 AM
Sure why not. . You may have to go thru once in a while and thin out the mats.

Want Them All
09-19-2009, 11:26 AM
How about all of them competing for nutrients and ground space? Probably not that big of a deal if I give them enough?

sunfish
09-19-2009, 11:50 AM
I think you have plenty of room to add some banana plants.