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?

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

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.

Want Them All · 09-17-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

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.

09-17-2009, 12:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 476,041 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. 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? Foreground is a mango, then longan, Australian cherimoya, far end is avocado. __________________ Last edited by Want Them All : 09-17-2009 at 12:52 PM.

09-17-2009, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 554,592 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. 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. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

09-18-2009, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,012,557 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. Why not plant bananas to shade your trees.

09-19-2009, 12:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,012,557 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. Sure why not. . You may have to go thru once in a while and thin out the mats.

09-19-2009, 11:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 476,041 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. How about all of them competing for nutrients and ground space? Probably not that big of a deal if I give them enough? __________________

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09-19-2009, 11:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,012,557 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Providing shade for non native fruit trees, advice/comments needed. I think you have plenty of room to add some banana plants.

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