The Growing Elevation of Apricot Trees

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    Apricots and Elevation

    • Apricot trees struggle to thrive higher than 3,500 feet elevation because they bloom in April, earlier than any other fruit tree. Flowering in the spring at a cooler elevation, where frosts can happen through May, means certain death for the apricot tree's delicate, white blooms. And without blossoms, there will be no apricots. The right apricot tree for higher altitude is one that's frost-resistant and also late-blooming. Even then, don't expect your apricot tree to produce fruit every year, experts from the University of Idaho Extension say.

    Varieties

    • High-altitude gardening experts recommend eight types of apricot trees for short growing seasons and elevations of up to 6,000 feet. The Moorpark is a China native that grows to about 20 feet and produces sweeter-than-average fruit. Moongold and Sungold both reach 16 feet and yield larger apricots of up to 2 inches in diameter. Plant them together for pollination. Other good apricot trees for high-elevation orchards are the Chinese Mormon, Debbie's Gold and HarLayne, all of which produce small to medium fruits. Perfection and Westcot trees grow larger apricots. All varieties are ready for harvesting by late July.

    Thinning Apricots

    • To help your high-elevation apricot trees bear the best fruit, thin fruits to let remaining apricots grow. If you have big groups of apricots, pick fruits until you have one apricot for every 2 to 4 inches on each branch. Thinning will also protect fall-forming flower buds from frost injury in the winter. Prune your apricots when they're about half grown and after June's natural fruit drop.

    Protecting from Frost

    • Frosts can still occur during growing season at high elevations. To protect your apricot trees, plant them in protected areas near buildings and property walls, which provide some warmth and protection from freezing winds. Placing a heat source underneath your apricot trees, at a safe distance from foliage, can also save the fruit. Space heaters and heat lamps are effective under-tree warmers.

    Other Tips

    • High-altitude growing regions often have poor-quality soil, such as clay, alkaline dirt. Consider supplementing your garden's soil with sphagnum peat, acidifying nitrogen, organic mulches or aluminum and iron sulfate to counter the alkalinity. Wind blows more briskly at higher elevations, so you'll need a windscreen, such as a wall or some hedges, to protect your apricot trees. And look out for stone-fruit pests, even at high altitudes. Peach-tree borer moths destroy wood underneath the bark, weakening and eventually killing the tree. Signs of infestation include a wet spot on the bark or oozing sap. Preventive sprays containing permethrin, carbaryl or esfenvalerate can keep the borer moth in check. Cytospora canker fungus attacks stressed trees, killing branches and whole trees by strangling circulation of water and nutrients. Prevent the fungus by keeping trees well-watered and well-fertilized. Immediately cut off affected branches that show the disease's characteristic orange discoloration.

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