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Southern Half of U.S. - Place your order by 3/24 to qualify for Raintree Guarantee

PNW Edible Plant Blog

  • Pacific Northwest Edible Fruits
    January 11, 2023

    Pacific Northwest Edible Fruits

    The Pacific Northwest is famous for its multitude of native edible plants. Native plants can produce fruit for you and wildlife, and be beneficial in other ways. What grows native on your site may provide clues as to what will grow well there.
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  • Structural Pruning on a Walnut
    January 11, 2023

    Structural Pruning on a Walnut

    Structural pruning refers to a pruning approach that involves cutting back competing lateral branches to favor a strong leader. In this approach, a tree will have a strong leader and competing side (lateral) branches are kept narrower than half the diameter of the trunk. Co-dominant branches are not allowed to grow. This approach can be practiced on trees of all ages, but in this case one cut was made to improve the structure of an unpruned ,mature walnut tree.
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  • Promoting Native Pollinators
    January 11, 2023

    Promoting Native Pollinators

    Pollinating insects are crucial to a successful home orchard. This blog post highlights bumblebees as important pollinators in addition to honey bees. Other native pollinators besides bumblebees are mentioned. Future posts will explore some of them further...
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  • Working on Water Lines Ahead of the Dry Season
    January 11, 2023

    Working on Water Lines Ahead of the Dry Season

    I worked on the orchard irrigation system at Raintree some before summer started. Soon, spring rains were going to stop and summer's dry heat was coming. We needed to be ready to irrigate! While sparing the gory details, I wrote some about what I had been working on...
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  • Grafting Pawpaws
    January 11, 2023

    Grafting Pawpaws

    I describe using whip-and-tongue grafting on pawpaws in this post. I attempt a description of the grafting process, as well as indulge in sharing my interest in the overlooked pawpaw, one of North America's most interesting native fruits.
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  • January 11, 2023

    Extreme Pruning Strategies: Coppicing and Pollarding

    Extreme Pruning Strategies: Coppicing and Pollarding By Xander Rose As I’m moving wood chips provided by a local arborist to put around our fruit trees at Raintree Nursery on a recent winter’s day (fortunately without too much rain), I think...

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  • January 11, 2023

    The Raintree Nursery Guide to Pollination

    The Raintree Nursery Guide to Pollination Some of the most common questions we get here at Raintree Nursery are about pollination. Honestly, those are pretty good questions and deserve a closer look to explain more completely. Pollination itself is the...

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