Re: Solving World Problems: Hunger

From: James Rogers (jamesr@best.com)
Date: Tue Jan 29 2002 - 09:27:03 MST


On 1/29/02 6:32 AM, "Brian D Williams" <talon57@well.com> wrote:
>
> One of the problems is that most fruit trees won't grow in much of
> the U.S., (no citrus trees in Chicago!) see Jared Diamond's "Guns,
> Germs, and Steel" for the whole story.

There is more than just citrus fruit, and quite an array of tasty things
that do grow in the inland cold climates. It is true that you'll probably
find much more variety in the hotter climes such as citrus (which is
certainly true in my experience), but there are a number of fruits that only
grow in the colder climates. A lot of the cold weather fruit in the U.S. is
grown in the rain shadow of the Pacific Northwest, but much of it could
probably be grown anywhere.

Fruit that grows well in cold climates: apples, pears, apricots, cherries,
grapes, raspberries, blueberries, and a bunch of other fruit that many
people aren't familiar with. We had most of these growing in our yard when
I lived on the Washington/Idaho border. Cherries, apples, pears, and
berries of all types really thrive in the northern cold weather climates and
most of the U.S. production happens there. Cold weather grape varieties
also grow easily in the northern U.S. and eastern Washington was a major
production center for cold weather grape varietals (we had several different
kinds growing on our back fence).

At the very least, you could definitely grow apples, pears, and cherries
just about anywhere in the snow belt, and they are good looking trees that
wouldn't detract from the landscaping. And of course, there is the famous
spring blossoms that these trees produce as well.

-James Rogers
 jamesr@best.com



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