Fruits Growing on Trees and Shrubs: A Comprehensive Guide

When we think of fruits, the first fruits that come to mind are often the ones that grow on trees and shrubs. There is a vast array of fruits available in nature, each with its own unique flavor, texture, and nutritious value. This article aims to introduce you to the wide range of fruits that grow on trees and shrubs, including some well-known and some lesser-known varieties.

Popular Tree and Shrubs Fruits

Here are some of the most popular fruits that grow on trees and shrubs:

Apples Oranges Avocados Mangoes Cherries Plums Nectarines Lemons and Limes Bananas (Note: Bananas grow on trees, but they are not trees) Blackberries Raspberries Blueberries Strawberries Grapes Blackberries Yellow Berries Persimmon (Fuyu and Hachiya)

Additional Fruits

Here are some additional fruits that grow on trees and shrubs that you may not be as familiar with:

Apricots Pomegranates Loquats Date Palms Papayas Avocados Pawpaws Mangos Peaches Nectarines Almonds Quinces Persimmons Grapes Bananas Kiwis Citrus fruits (Lemons, Limes, Grapefruits) Kumquats Bahia Berries Coconuts Figs Cocoa Nuts (Not to be confused with coconuts) Guavas Mulberries Olives Breadfruit Osage Oranges (Can be harmful if ingested) Star Fruit (Carambola)

Botanical and Culinary Definitions

Botanically, a fruit is any mature, ripened ovary containing seeds, always derived from a simple ovule. In the culinary realm, a fruit can be any sweet or savory plant product used in cooking or eaten on its own. While many fruits share the same origin, they can vary significantly in their purpose and usage. For example, almonds are closely related to peaches and apricots, but we typically use them as a nut rather than a traditional fruit.

From a botanical perspective, there are many variations of fruits, including:

Pomes (like apples and pears) Capsules (like pomegranates) Berries (like blueberries) Drupes (like cherries or avocados) Nuts (like walnuts or almonds)

Technically, a fruit like an apple is a pome, meaning that the fruit's edible part develops from the flower's receptacle. In contrast, a grape (which is technically a berry) has the edible part developing from the ovary.

Aboroculture: Harvesting Fruits from Trees

Aboroculture is the practice of growing fruit-bearing trees and shrubs for human consumption, as opposed to forestry, which focuses on the sustainable management of timber resources. Aborocultural practices can vary widely, from small-scale backyard gardening to large-scale commercial orchards. The choice of fruit trees and shrubs can depend on factors such as climate, soil type, and market demand.

Tree fruits can be categorized as:

Stone fruits (stones are the hard pits within the fruit) Fleshy fruits (like berries or pomes) Drupes (like cherries or peaches)

Each type of fruit has its own unique properties and growing requirements. Understanding the differences between these categories can help you choose the right fruits for your garden or orchard.