Fruit tree with thorns

I was not good about labeling or keeping track of the fruit trees that I planted in my orchard. I have one that has thorns — do you have any idea what it might be? It also might be one that the birds planted.

I would love to come to one of your seminars. I am retiring in 2 months so if there is one in the fall or next year maybe I’ll attend.

Joline Fleming
Rossiter, Pennsylvania

Chances are that your mystery fruit tree is either a plum or pear that has died above the graft and regenerated from below the graft, giving you a “wild” tree from the rootstock. You won’t know for sure until it fruits but no domestic common fruit has thorns. All is not lost because you can always graft more wanted domestic scion wood onto the wildling.

We’d love to have you come to a seminar. We’re planning one in June (see box at top of blog) and another in early September. I’m sure we’ll have at least one seminar next year, as well. (God willing and the creek don’t rise…) — Jackie

Canned rhubarb

Last year I canned some nice red rhubarb. However, the canned rhubarb is brown. What can I use to keep the nice red color? Would Fruit Fresh work? I really like the convenience of canned rhubarb!

Jean Ann Wenger
Fairbury, Illinois

Unfortunately, many older varieties of rhubarb, such as Victoria, do end up losing their color when canned. The newer varieties such as Canada Red and Valentine hold their color much better. To keep your rhubarb red about the only thing I can suggest is adding a few drops of red food coloring to each jar. I don’t do that because I don’t like to use food coloring because of possible health concerns. We’ve learned that it’s the taste that matters, not the color. — Jackie

3 COMMENTS

  1. Callery pear rootstock has thorns. It’s not an edible pear. It is hardy and in some places is now considered invasive. Hawthorn has been used as a rootstock for pear and apple trees. It would be interesting to know the commercial source of your trees because they may be able to tell you what rootstock was used on your trees. Or as you said, your tree may have been planted by a bird. If someone nearby has a good landrace pear you could use it for grafting on your thorny rootstock.

  2. There are some uncommon domestic fruit trees that have thorns. Is there a list of the trees that were planted? That would help narrow it down.

    I know when I planted seaberries, several of them had thorns even when they were only 3 inches tall!

  3. I’m very excited – I just ordered your new book! I also ordered the other new book about doing things around the house. I am so excited! Not only will I get some books that I know I will love and use, but I saved $10! Thank you, and keep on writing!

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