Fruits in NE Ohio?

[MamaHawk]

Hi all, I'm back!

I want to try my hand at various fruit trees/bushes/vines this spring and summer, and am trying to get a handle on what I shouldn't even bother with despite what the sellers say. Does anyone have any recommendations or warnings?

~Hawk

 

[Meadowlark]

In my view, the first thing is to list out what you like...in priority order 1,2,3,4...

Next, do your homework on what varieties on your list do well in your area. This should involve research online as well as talking to your neighbors.

From this you should be able to develop an informed plan. Don't try to do it all at once...take measured steps.

 

[oneeye]

I think the most important thing when buying various fruit trees/bushes/vines is to buy from local growers in your area. Don't buy trees from fancy nurseries in other states even if it's the same zone. When trees are not acclimated to a growing area they will disease much easier. Go to the nurseries in your area and shop around and start with a couple of trees and then add on every year. Good luck friend I hope have the success you want.

 

[MamaHawk]

Thanks @Meadowlark and @oneeye - I want to start small and wisely, so I appreciate the feedback! I just visited the most local nursery today and the man I talked to was very helpful and excited for me, which was great! I'll have to write out a list of priorities soon...I'm thinking:

Trees:
Cherries - we have a TON of natural cherries all around that produced a LOT of fruit last spring, I just don't know what kinds they are. But it makes me hopeful that they'd "stick" if I planted them!
Plums - I love plums and would love to have them handy
Pears/Apples - I'd do either or both, I have to figure out which will do well, and where.

Ideally someday I'd also do almond or pecan trees, plus paw paw and maybe some kind of mulberry or elderberry tree. We have a peach tree on our neighbor's property we can pick from, so I'm less worried about one of those for now.

Berries:
Blueberries (no thorns!)
Strawberries
Raspberries (have a shoot from last year but I don't know if it survived the winter)
MAYBE blackberries - I get annoyed by the seeds
Some form of chokeberry or ground cherry, I really don't know what I like.

I don't know what rhubarb goes under, probably not fruit, but I forgot I wanted it last year so I really want it this year!