From the roots up

Practical tree growing for real climates.

Hi, my name is John. I’ve been growing trees for more than a decade, with an emphasis on tropical fruit, citrus, cold-hardy avocados, edible landscaping, natives, palm trees, and sustainable food production. Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem, supplying beauty, food, shelter, fuel, and carbon sequestration.

My first advice: bigger is not always better. The most important factor is choosing the right variety and rootstock for your soil and climate. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid clay pockets when possible. My farm is mostly clay, and I learned the hard way.