Apricot Trees - An Attractive Addition to Any Home Garden 

Humans have cultivated apricot trees for thousands of years - for a good reason! Their fruits are considered a delicacy worldwide, and fresh apricots are among the tastiest and most nutritious of all stone fruits. In addition to their delicious fruit, the tree's attractive foliage and abundant, stunning blooms make it a focal point of any garden. 

 Apricots are suitable for group plantings and stand-alone trees, as most varieties are self-fruiting. They can produce abundant fruit when properly maintained and cared for; this includes proper pruning and fertilization practices.

Apricots produce fruits on second-year wood, and heavy pruning may result in several years without fruit production. Similarly, the plant must have adequate nutrition to produce delicious fruit crops. 

 Like many fruiting trees, apricots require several years of growth before they begin producing. The plant will concentrate its energy on developing foliage and root structure for the first several years of growth. Once an apricot tree begins fruiting, typically after five years, it will continue to produce fruits for 20-25 years. 

Apricot trees can be grown in various climates but thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8

They require a calm, chilling period to produce viable blossoms after winter dormancy. Ideally, apricot trees should be exposed to 600 - 900 hours of temperatures below 45 degrees to correctly fruit. They do not thrive in regions that often experience late-spring frosts, as these damage developing buds, and trees will be unable to bear fruit without adequate protection. Likewise, they only thrive in regions that experience less than the required chilling period, as the tree's health will suffer if not allowed to enter a winter dormancy period.

Apricots are among the most beautiful fruiting trees you can grow; with some care and affection, they will be the centerpiece of any garden!