Hey everyone! I've recently moved into a house in southeast Michigan and I'm excited to start planting some trees. I'm considering whether to plant them directly in the ground or in pots. So far, I'm leaning towards cherry, persimmon, peach, and chestnut trees. Also, I'd love to try growing figs, but I know they probably won't survive the winter around here and would need to stay in pots. Has anyone had success with lemon trees in this zone? I'd appreciate any suggestions or experiences!
4 Answers
It really depends on how much space you have and the sunlight your yard gets. For a classic choice, apples are great, especially if you pick dwarf varieties. Paw paws and serviceberries are worth considering too; they're native and produce delicious fruit while blooming beautifully in spring!
If you’re considering cherries, my dad drives up from Ohio every year just for Michigan cherries! The sandy soil there is perfect for them. They’re definitely a fantastic choice!
I've got redbud and persimmon thriving in nearby zone 5a! The redbud did really well, while the persimmon took a bit longer but is starting to grow nicely. Once I'm ready to add more fruit, I'm looking at cherries or plums, especially native varieties!
You might have luck with the Chicago Hardy fig; it'll die back during winter but bounces back in spring. And your tree list is solid, but don't overlook oaks—consider a dwarf chinkapin oak. You could also try sassafras and black tupelo; they're pretty cool trees.
Thanks for the tips! My backyard is about 1.5k sq ft with full sun, so I think I've got some good options!