Johnny Appleseed Can Visit Your Backyard

Fruit Tree Planting
Fruit Trees add permanent value to your property.
They produce fruit about two- five years after planting, and remain a fixture at your house for decades.

In central Pennsylvania, fruit trees can only be planted in April.
Our ordering process for these trees ends the second week of February or as much as eight months in advance as popular varieties often sell out quickly. Wilson Home Farms purchases the majority of our trees from Adam's County Nursery, the most reputable fruit tree nursery in Pennsylvania, Cummins Nursery in New York, Fedco Trees, and Grandpa's Orchard. I do not have a personal inventory of trees. These nurseries only ship trees one time every year. 

A fruit tree should bear fruit when it is 3- 5 years old.
​All trees planted are in their second year. Planting older trees, while tempting, usually does not produce as successfully.  Trees require yearly maintenance: fertilization, pruning, training. Trees may require pest and disease management depending on the season.

All of the trees listed below are recommended by Pennsylvania State University's Extension The varieties are selected for organic home gardeners. Popular varieties seen in the grocery store, such as 'Red Delicious,' are not breed to be grown without heavy fungicide and insecticide use. The listed varieties are breed to be resistant to common diseases in Pennsylvania such as Scab. 

The planting process begins far before the tree is put in the ground.
​Liming of the planting site can begin as early as the fall before planting. In March of the planting year, holes are dug for the trees and amended with compost mixed with your soil. In April, upon delivery, they are immediately planted.  

Fruit Tree Care
Fruit tree fertilization programs can be found on our Soil Fertility Page.

​Irrigation can be added for an additional fee check out our Irrigation Page for details. 

Fruit Tree pruning for any sized tree is a service offered by Wilson Home Farms.
​Pruning occurs in February and Early-March for Pome Fruit (Apple and Pear), and April for Stone Fruits (Peaches, Cherries, Plums, Apricots, and Nectarines). Pricing is based on the size of the tree. Customarily, a small tree (up to 5 years old and under 8 feet tall) costs about $25, a medium sized tree (6-10 years old and under 12' tall costs about $35) and large trees cost between $45 - 70 to prune. ​Old trees that require renovation cost about $100-200 depending on size. These trees also must be pruned over three years to gradually restore the tree to an acceptable size. 

Fruit Tree Varieties

Apples
Braburn
Braeburn apples are medium to large in size and are oval in shape. The thin, bi-colored skin has a yellow base and is covered with red to pink blush and red striping. The striping and blush will vary in degree of visibility depending on the climate in which the fruit has matured. Its firm flesh is pale yellow to gold and contains a few dark brown seeds in the center of the fibrous core. Braeburn apples are very crisp and juicy with a sweet flavor combined with subtle hints of spice, pear, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Requires a pollinator: All other Apple trees are suitable
Crimson Crisp
CrimsonCrisp® is medium in size with a very attractive crimson red color over 95% of the fruit surface. CrimsonCrisp® has a very firm, crisp texture with a tart, complex flavor. The tree is very grower friendly with a spreading habit, fruiting throughout the two- and three-year old branches. The fruit matures in mid-season and will keep in cold storage for six months. CrimsonCrisp® is a registered trademark of Purdue Research Foundation.

Requires a pollinator: Freedom, Redfree, Enterprise and Pristine are suitable pollinators for Crimson Crisp
Empire
Empire is a vigorous and precocious tree with an attractive, spreading growth habit. It is susceptible to scab, mildew, and bitter rot, but somewhat resistant to fireblight and cedar-apple rust.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Enterprise, Gala, Gingergold, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Suncrisp, Sundance
Enterprise
Developed by Purdue University, this is a late-maturing, deep red apple with good keeping qualities.  Fruit is uniform and medium to large in size.  Tree is vigorous and spreading, with good annual bearing habits.  EnterpriseTM is highly resistant to fire blight and cedar apple rust.  

Requires a pollinator: All other Apple trees are suitable
Freedom
Large multipurpose apple good for fresh eating, sauce and juice.  Fruit color is red striping over yellow background, and the flesh is cream-colored and medium-firm.  Freedom blooms three days after McIntosh and ripens with Red Delicious.  Tree is vigorous and moderately resistant to mildew and fire blight.

Requires a pollinator: All other Apple trees are suitable
Fuji
​The apple is large and blockish. It is striped pink over a yellow background, and the flesh is very fine grained, snappy, and juicy. The flavor is ridiculously sweet with no detectable acid. In Apples of Uncommon Character, Jacobsen observes hints of lychee, mango, and cantaloupe, and he goes on to note that while apple snobs may reject the lack of acidic balance, Fuji is, nevertheless, the most produced apple in the world (occupying 70 percent of the Chinese market), thus demonstrating that the world in general "loves sweet apples." Fuji stores well and will keep its flavor for over three months in regular refrigeration.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Enterprise, Gala, Ginger Gold, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Suncrisp, Sundance
Gala
Crisp and snappy! One of your favorite grocery store apples is even better homegrown. Fruit is delectably sweet-tart, which makes it a great fresh-eating apple. In addition, it cooks and stores well, so plan to make this your go-to cooking and canning apple, too. Hangs well on the tree late into the season. Ripens in early October.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pristine
Golden Delicious
One of the most widely planted apple cultivars worldwide. Fruit is firm, medium to large with the classic Golden Delicious flavor. The tree is spreading, productive and easy to manage.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Sundance
Goldrush
This dessert-apple tree is disease-resistant to apple scab and powdery mildew. Fruit has a tart, tangy flavor that sweetens with age. Excellent fresh or in pies and crisps. ​

Requires a Pollinator: Enterprise, Pristine, Crimson Crisp, Redfree, and Freedom are suitable pollinators for Goldrush
Honeycrisp
​This popular variety was developed at the University of Minnesota.  The fruit is mostly orange-red with a yellow background.  This crisp, juicy, sweet-tart apple has a rich flavor that has made it "#1" in taste panels.  The fruit averages 3 inches and up, matures ten days before Red Delicious and stores well.  Outstanding winter hardiness gives this variety excellent potential for northern growing regions.  Honeycrisp is moderately resistant to apple scab.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Gala, Gingergold, Goldrush, Pristine, Suncrisp, Sundance, 
Idared
A dual-purpose apple, suitable for both fresh and process markets. Idared is a solid bright red apple that keeps well in long-term storage. This medium-vigor tree bears young and annually with heavy crops. Blooms early and makes a good pollenizer. ​

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, McIntosh, Suncrisp, William's Pride, Zestar!
Jerseymac
Jersey Mac has a tough, dark red skin. It is noted for its sweet strawberry-like flavor and bright white flesh. Jersey Macs are ready for picking in early September.

Requires a pollinator: Most other apple trees are suitable
Jonagold
​Jonagold apples have an under blush which varies in color from greenish yellow to rosy orange depending on the strain and the temperature the apples are grown in. The skin is also covered with red spotting and vertical striping. Large in size its flesh is crisp, juicy and creamy yellow in color. The Jonagold apple has a balanced blend of both its parents’ flavors offering the sweet-tart taste found in the Jonathan and the aromatic honey like scent of the Golden Delicious.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Sundance
Mutsu
Complex and spicy flavor. This tree is the result of a cross between the Golden Delicious and the sweet Japanese variety apple called Indo. Also known by the name Crispin Apple, the fruit is larger and rounder than Golden Delicious. Resists russeting and is best eaten fresh from the tree. Keeps well in proper storage without shriveling. ​

Requires TWO pollinators: Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Pristine, Sundance, William's Pride, 
Liberty
A medium-sized, yellow-fleshed dessert apple with 90 percent red over yellow background color. Tree is vigorous, spreading and an annual bearer. Liberty is resistant to apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight and mildew. A good choice for the home gardener.

Requires a pollinator: Pristine, Redfree, Freedom, Enterprise and Goldrush are suitable pollinators for Liberty
McIntosh
Cold-hardy native of Canada. Round, red, mildly tart fruit has a soft texture when cooked. Gives apple sauce and cider a spicy kick; bakes up juicy and tender. Ripens in mid Sept. ​

Requires a pollinator: Redfree, Suncrisp, William's Pride, Zestar!
Pristine 
Pristine is a yellow apple with smooth, glossy skin. Fruit is high in sugar content with very good keeping quality for an early season apple. The tree is vigorous and considered very scab resistant, although somewhat susceptible to fire blight.

Requires a pollinator: All other Apple trees are suitable
Redfree
Redfree matures in early August. This is considered a dessert-quality apple with bright red color over a yellow background. The tree is semi-upright and crops annually. 

Requires a pollinator: All other Apple trees are suitable
Suncrisp
​This apple’s color gives it a sunset-worthy appearance. Its heritage includes Cox’s Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious making the fruit sweet, rich and mildly aromatic. Vigorous tree produces good crops that keep well, allowing you to pluck a delicious snack out of the refrigerator up to 5 months after harvest.

Requires a pollinator: Suncrisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Pristine, Redfree, Sundance, William's Pride
Sundance
These large, beautiful apples have a porcelain to yellow-green skin, often with a red blush and a unique, citrusy flavor. The crisp, creamy white flesh has a sweet-tart taste with hints of lemon and pineapple. Its crisp texture makes it excellent for eating fresh—and it also holds up well when baked. ​

Requires a pollinator:  Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Gala, Gingergold, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Redfree, Suncrisp, 
Williams Pride
​This tree is perfect for the backyard or any type of organic production: It is vigorous, spreading, and sturdy, with good branch angles. Cold hardy to zone 4, Williams' Pride is also resistant to fireblight, powdery mildew, and cedar-apple rust, and field immune to scab. This is a delicious and easy-to-grow early-season apple, and it also has an extended bloom (early through to late-mid), making it a great pollenizer.

Requires a pollinator: Crimson Crisp, McIntosh, Redfree, Suncrisp, Zestar!
Zestar!
​It is a very pretty, round, rosy red apple. The flesh is juicy and crisp, with a sprightly zest (hence its name) that sweetened with caramel sugars. It stores well for six-eight weeks, and is firm enough to please most bakers. Zestar! has an extended harvest time and requires a couple of pickings, making it a great apple for home orchardists.

Requires a pollinator: McIntosh, William's Pride

Sweet
​Cherries
Emperor Francis
A large, high-quality yellow cherry of the Napoleon type, but less susceptible to cracking.  The color of the two fruits is similar except that those of Emperor Francis have more red blush.  Tree is hardy, vigorous and very productive.

Requires a Pollinator: Royalton, Hartland, and Hedelfigen are suitable Pollinators for Emperor Francis
Hartland
This open pollinated Windsor cross is an early-to mid-season, crack-resistant dark sweet cherry.  The tree is very vigorous and uniquely spreading in habit.  Hartland crops heavy and bears annually.

Requires a pollinator: Kristin, Royalton, Ulster, Emperor Francis, and Hedelfigen are suitable pollinators for Hartland
Hedelfingen
Hedelfingen is a large, late-season, high-quality dark red sweet cherry.  The fruit has very good flavor and lacks firmness, making it more resistant to rain cracking than most other cherries.  The trees are early bearing, very productive and hardy.

Requires a pollinator: All other Cherry trees are suitable
Kristin
Developed from a cross of Emperor Francis x Gil Peck, Kristin has been tested extensively in cold climates.  The fruit is dark red, large and of high quality.  The trees are very winter hardy and productive.

Requires a Pollinator: Royalton, Hartland, and Hedelfigen are suitable pollinators for Kristin
Royalton
A black sweet cherry ripening in the early season.  Fruit is very large, extremely crack tolerant and of high quality, making it a great choice for the fresh market.  Tree growth is upright and vigorous, but sometimes slow to come into production. Royalton is also an excellent pollenizer for other sweet cherries.

Requires a Pollinator: Kristin, Ulster, Emperor Francis, Hartland, and Hedelfigen are suitable pollinators for Royalton
Sam
​The Sam Cherry Tree is very similar to the Bing cherry with dark, shiny, medium sized fruit but it is a little more tart than its sweet cousin. The tree bears heavy and is resistant to cracking.

Requires a pollinator: Royalton, Stella
Ulster
The fruit is dark red, large and firm-fleshed.  This sweet cherry is a mid-season variety that ripens just after Schmidt and is more resistant to cracking.

Requires a Pollinator: Hartland, Royalton and Hedelfigen are suitable pollinators for Ulster

Self- Fertile
​Sweet Cherries
Blackgold
A late mid-season, self-fertile, sweet cherry selection developed by Cornell University. This is the latest-blooming sweet cherry in the Cornell collection and it has remarkable tolerance to spring frost. Its primary use is for fresh eating.
Lapins
​'Lapins' is self-fertile meaning, unlike many other sweet Cherries, it doesn't need another Cherry to produce a bumper crop of delicious fruit each year. Starting in late April or early May, its branches will be covered with beautiful white flowers. As the flowers fade, small green Cherries take their place and mature through the summer into extra large, mahogany fruits that are ready for harvest in late July and early August. 
Skeena
Skeena is a large, firm cherry.  It is a self-fertile selection and blooms in mid-late season.  Flavor is excellent and nicely balanced.  A moderate degree of cracking has been observed with this variety. 
Stella
​The Stella is a large, dark red cherry with firm, sweet, dark red flesh. Like the compact version, Stella is resistant to cracking, bears at a young age, and is self-fertile. The Stella Cherry Tree is a good pollinizer for all sweet cherries, and ripens in mid-July.
Sweetheart
Sweetheart™ is a reliable, self-fertile sweet cherry. The tree is medium vigor, spreading, precocious, and very productive. It will need diligent annual pruning to keep it under control. The only stand-out difficulty with this tree is a pronounced susceptibility to bacterial canker, which it has inherited from Van, one of its parents. Growers in cool, wet climates in particular should take extra care with cultural practices such as the removal of diseased tissue. Sweetheart™ does show good resistance to brown rot.
Whitegold
This heavy-cropping tree is the offspring of Emperor Francis and Stella parents. Tree bears gorgeous yellow-blushed-red sweet cherries that mature in mid cherry-season. Disease-resistant to brown rot, bacterial canker, and black knot. Resists cracking. ​

Tart
​Cherries
Balaton
A late maturing tart cherry ripening about seven to ten days after Montmorency.  The fruit is large and very firm with a red juicy flesh.  The trees produce fruit with slightly larger pits than other tart cherry varieties, which may cause problems with commercial pitting operations.  This is a very high-quality tart cherry selection and is recommended for fresh markets, processing and the home garden.
Danube
A new tart cherry cultivar for the fresh market.  The fruit of Danube® is dark red, medium to large, and sweeter than Montmorency.  Planted widely in Europe, this selection is an excellent choice for the fresh market.  The trees are very productive but more susceptible to winter injury than Montmorency.
Jubileum
An early maturing, dark red tart cherry variety for the fresh market.  Ripening ten days before Montmorency, this dark fleshed cherry is excellent to start the season and produces large fruit with good keeping qualities.
Meteor
Meteor is an excellent tree in almost every respect. Naturally dwarfing, it is vigorous yet grows only to 10-12 feet. It has an upright-spreading habit with a rounded crown and dense foliage that seems to help keep the birds out. It is also resistant to leaf spot and brown rot, and it has a late bloom that will avoid frost damage. Incredibly cold hardy, Meteor will tolerate temperatures as low as -50°F when dormant. Finally, this tree is fully self-fertile, needing no pollenizer, and it puts out a profuse, showy bloom in late spring, making it an attractive landscape addition.
Montmorency
This compact tree bears armloads of ripe, tangy, red cherries, which make mouthwatering, succulent pies and cobblers. Originates from Montmorency Valley, France circa 1600s, introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s. Cold-hardy. Ripens in mid June.
Northstar
A heavy producer. The number of deliciously tart cherries from one of these trees will amaze you. The fruit is perfect for juice or any number of dessert recipes. The sturdy, vase-shaped tree is a beauty in the landscape.

Nectarines
Fantasia
Developed in California, Fantasia is an excellent quality, yellow-fleshed, freestone nectarine. Fruit is large, nearly full red, with a smooth glossy finish. Trees are vigorous, hardy and very productive.
Redgold
A large-sized, yellow-fleshed, very attractive, red nectarine with good shipping quality. The trees are self-fertile, vigorous and productive.

Peaches
Cresthaven
Cresthaven is a very firm, highly colored variety for the late season. The fruit is yellowfleshed, freestone, and shows considerable red around the pit. The tree is winter hardy, very productive and has medium vigor. Extra fertilization is recommended to maintain tree longevity and vigor.
Encore
A very attractive, yellow-fleshed peach. Fruit is large, firm and tolerant to bacterial leaf spot. The tree is vigorous and hardy. ​
Garnet Beauty
Fruit is high quality, firm and freestone when fully ripe. Tree is vigorous and productive. A good variety to precede Redhaven. Recommended for colder districts.
Glenglo
Discovered in Martinsburg, West Virginia by W. Glen Welsh, this variety is rapidly becoming an important early season variety in the Mid-Atlantic region. Many consider Glenglo™ the best flavored peach in this season. The fruit is large, very firm and freestone when tree ripened. The tree is medium in vigor and productive.
Madison
This variety is one of the most winter-hardy varieties available. The fruit is medium to large, uniform in size and of exceptional quality. Madison is recommended for northern climates where peaches are susceptible to low winter temperatures.
Redhaven
A blue-ribbon, all-purpose peach. Luscious, top-quality fruit is great as a fresh snack or for canning and freezing. Enjoy bushels of large peaches with almost fuzzless skin over firm, creamy textured yellow flesh. Tree is heavy-bearing and easy to grow and maintain. Blooms late to avoid spring frosts. Branches have a spreading nature.
Reliance
Well known for its cold hardiness, this variety is ideal for northern climates where peaches are not typically grown. The fruit is mediumsized, freestone, with a dull blush over greenish-yellow background. Good for canning and freezing.

Pears
Anjou
Still tasty seven months later. This pear hits all the right notes. It’s cold-hardy, vigorous and precocious... and it’s keeping quality is unparalleled at up to seven months. Bright green and very firm at harvest, with a tinge of yellow as they ripen. Subtly sweet, fine-textured flesh. Ripens in late September. ​

Requires a Pollinator: All pears, with the exception of Magness are suitable pollinators for Anjou
Bartlett
A large, heavy-bearing variety with excellent quality. Long considered one of the choicest canning varieties, Bartlett accounts for about 75 percent of the pear production in the United States and Canada. Bartlett requires cross pollination and ripens in late August.

Requires a Pollinator: All pears, with the exception of Magness are suitable pollinators, but Bosc is particularly good
Bosc
The classic shapely pear. The gourd-like shape and long neck of this variety makes it easily distinguishable from others. Medium-to-large fruit features russet, dark yellow skin and smooth, aromatic flesh that is juicy, sweet and tender. Perfect for eating fresh, baking or drying.

Requires a Pollinator: All pears, with the exception of Magness are suitable pollinators
Magness
A medium-sized pear ripening just after Seckel. Skin is greenish-brown, covered with light russet. Flesh is soft, juicy and almost free of grit cells. Flavor is sweet and of excellent quality. Tree is vigorous, spreading and resistant to fire blight. ​

Requires two Pollinators: All Pears are suitable pollinators
Moonglow
Big, bold, blushed fruit. This beautiful, Bartlett-type pear is soft and juicy without being mushy. The tree is disease-resistant to fire blight and will bear fruit for years. A strong pollinator for other pear varieties. 

Requires a pollinator: Bartlett, Seckel ​
Seckel
A small pear with rich yellowish-brown skin when fully ripe. One of the best-quality dessert pears. Ideal for the home garden. Tree is vigorous, hardy and productive. 

Requires a Pollinator: All Pears, with the exception of Magness are suitable pollinators

Asian Pears
Shinseki
​This is the prettiest of our Asian pears, ripening early–around the same time as Hosui–to a bright yellow that is speckled with subtle, pale dots. The flesh is sweet, slightly tart, crisp, and very, very juicy. It is a perfect salad pear. Shinseiki hangs well on the tree and it stores for about two months.

Self-Fertile, however a second increases yield. 
Twentieth Century ( Nijisseiki)
You’ll find it hard to believe a tree this beautiful can produce such an abundant crop. Its pure white flesh is ideal for salads and they’re “oh, so good” for snacking!

​Pollinate with another Asian pear. ​
Hosui
​Hosui ("Copious Juice") is probably the best of our Asian pears. The early-midseason fruit is largish, round, golden russet, and copiously speckled with lenticels. The creamy flesh is delicate, crisp, and juicy, with a hint of snappy acid complexity that is unusual in Asian pears. This pear will not store for more than four weeks, but it doesn't matter; they are addictive and will get eaten fast.

Self-fertile, but will produce better with a second asian pear. 
Olympic
​The Asian pear season goes out with a bang. Ripening in October, Olympic is a huge, beautiful pear that can weigh as much as a pound. This grapefruit-sized fruit is covered in orange russet and the flesh is crisp, juicy, and very very sweet. You can enjoy this treat for a long time; it will store for up to five months after harvest.

Requires a pollinator: Any other Asian Pear

Plums
Methley
 Yields sweet, purple-red plums; in spring, it offers white, fragrant flowers. A heavy bearer, Methley grows clusters of plums all throughout the tree. Vigorous and disease-resistant to fungal diseases like rust. Clingstone. Ripens in mid July. Self-pollinating.
Shiro
A sweet, juicy yellow plum. Fruit is round, clingstone and medium in size. The trees are spreading and very productive. ​
Castleton
This early-maturing, dual-purpose plum is a Valor x Iroquois cross released by Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. The fruit is blue, slightly ovate and similar in appearance to Stanley, ripening about three weeks ahead of Stanley. The trees are spreading and consistently produce a heavy crop.
Ozark Premier
Grow giant, sweet and juicy plums. A great plum tree for the Ohio Valley, the Northeast, and the Midwest. Fruit is firm and excellent for cooking, canning, and fresh-eating. Bears young. Heat-tolerant. Semi-freestone. Ripens in early to mid August. ​
Bluebyrd
Bluebyrd is an excellent European-type plum for the commercial orchard and home garden use. The fruit is blue with amber flesh, medium to large in size with excellent flavor and high sugar content. The tree is vigorous and productive and has shown great resistance to black knot.
Stanley
A fine prune-type plum with excellent quality suited for both home use and processing. Fruit is large in size with dark blue skin. Flesh is greenish-yellow, juicy and fine-grained. The tree is early bearing and a good pollenizer for other European varieties.
Long John
A mid-season, prune-type plum for the fresh market. The fruit is dark blue, very large and of high quality. The trees are upright, medium in vigor and very productive.
Au Rosa
A dark red plum, medium to large in size, with red flesh. Trees are very vigorous, spreading and moderately productive.

Apricot
Harogem
​Medium-sized fruit, bright red glossy blush over orange background. Ideally suited for the fresh market. Flesh is orange, firm and freestone, with good flavor. Trees are upright, productive and very cold hardy. Resistant to brown rot, perennial canker and somewhat resistant to bacterial spot.
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