If you have never had a fruit tree in your backyard, or even your front yard, you do not know what you are missing. The experience of getting fruit from the produce isle at the supermarket is very different than going out and picking it yourself.
One of the most remarkable differences is the comfort in knowing that there are no chemicals on the fruit. It may still need to be washed because of weather conditions that may have blown dirt or dust on the fruit. But the wondering and worry about which inspect killer was sprayed on the fruit, and if it will eventually kill you, evaporates. You also get the added benefit of knowing that viruses and bacteria were not deposited on your fruit, by one or more, of the hands that handled it, in it’s journey to your store. These facts are often overlooked by most people when they buy fruits because; unless you grow it, you will need to buy it. Of course a thorough washing can give some peace of mind.
Organic fruit is on the scene now, so for those who have not been blessed with trees bearing fruit, there are more healthy choices. Of course, the optimistic side of us all would love to think that we have found the king of all fruits in the organic variety. The reality is that organic fruits are grown with different guidelines, but just what those guidelines are, and exactly how they are being enforced is not something we, common folks, can be witness to firsthand. Even though we cannot see the difference in the growing and handling of organic fruit, it is regulated more strictly than non-organic, so it is safe to say it is better for you. Still, the best fruit, is the one you grow in your own yard.
Some common fruit tress in the western region of America are citrus; including orange, lemon, and grapefruit. Avocado, fig, apricot, and apple also like the warmer climate known to this region. The advantages of having these trees in our, or our neighbor’s backyards are:
Saving money, we literally go out and pick it off the tree, no need to even start the car. For the more entrepreneurial individual, selling the fruit off of large trees, at a reasonable price is also possible. Citrus trees can yield a good profit because the fruit is typically expensive at the supermarket. A nice bonus are the orange blossoms that grow in early spring, and summer. The perfume from these flowers that grow on the tree before the fruit is born, can be smelled for miles. It smells so good that it is even used as the base, in many expensive perfumes.
Culinary advantages, when life gives you a lemon tree, you can now make your own lemon aide. Not only lemon aide comes from lemons, its used in marinades and desert recipes. Dried figs make a sweet and healthy snack. Figs can also be used to make spreads and they even taste good in savory dishes. Anybody lucky enough to have an avocado tree knows how good life can be with guacamole only minutes away.
Aesthetics, fruit trees provide shade to yards in the summer, fragrance in the spring, and their majesty can transform a yard into a garden.