Southern California Fruit tree help

[Shad]

I'm looking to add a couple fruit trees to my yard. I live in orange county. I've added a couple fruit trees in the past that the fruit never really tasted right. Any suggestions of great tasting fruits for this area? 

[Pando]

I planted Anna apple tree into my yard a few years ago. It's about 6 feet high and fruits like crazy every year. Apples are the size of my fist and the tree is loaded.

Also, check out Jaboticaba - exotic and it takes a number of years to fruit, but it's oh so worth it when it does.

[Peter]

Check out Dave Wilson Nursery for suggestions

[Shad]

Thanks... What type of jaboticaba would you recommend? I'm also interested in a dwarf variety of avocado that is self pollinating. Any suggestions? 

Peter I will check out Dave Wilson's nursery too. I think I looked it up a long time ago.

[Silas_Sancona]

Second the Jaboticaba recommendation,. Grafted specimens of the standard purple/ black fruiting varieties will fruit faster than seed grown plants. No matter what, they are slow growers. Red and blue Jabos ( if you can find them out there) will supposedly set fruit faster or, at an earlier age. Would also look into Cherry of the Rio Grande. Easy, and not too big or, is easier to keep in check if desired.. Fruit is awesome, imo. 

As for Avocadoes, "Wurtz" is supposed to be a smaller variety. Thinking others like Haas can be kept smaller via pruning. 

[nachocarl]

  On 12/9/2015 at 6:31 AM, Pando said:

I planted Anna apple tree into my yard a few years ago. It's about 6 feet high and fruits like crazy every year. Apples are the size of my fist and the tree is loaded.

Also, check out Jaboticaba - exotic and it takes a number of years to fruit, but it's oh so worth it when it does.

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I second that on the Anna!  I had a Anna apple in the old yard and that thing was amazing!  Two crops a year with the big harvest from May to July and another smaller one in November.  If you trim off the groups down to one apple the will make huge (bigger than the grocery store) meal size apples.  I am under pressure to get one here in the new yard.  Mmmmm, apple pie.

[SHEP]

I have six Dave Wilson fruit trees.  They specialize in different root stocks for types of soil.  I have gotten Citation root stock for my clay.  I have a fabulous Tilton apricot, that is sweet, as well as tangy at the same time.  I have had Blenheim, Patterson, and another kind of apricots, and when they finally fruited, they  didn't compare to the Tilton, and I just ripped them out. The thing is, you can't find really, good apricots to buy.  The other real gem is my Fay Elberta (could be spelled Alberta) peach.  These are both heritage type trees, that have been around. These peaches are huge, and so succulent.  You won't find in any these fruit Farmer's Markets because they don't ship well.  They are yellow peach, with red on them, and when ripe, the peel justs pulls off.  I also have two white nectarines, but, you can buy great white nectarines these days.  All of the above, sans the apricot, you have to spray in winter for Peach Leaf Curl. I, also, have three Satsuma Mandarin Orange Trees that are loaded with fruit, that are ripening up now.   I don't know if any of these are suited to your climate.  Dave Wilson use to be pretty good about phoning them about advice on trees,  You are best finding out which nurseries (Dave Wilson) will let you know, and ordering your bare toot tree in Fall.  I recommend semi-dwarf, not dwarf, and follow their advice on summer pruning. 

[Josh-O]

I third the Jaboticaba fruit tree recommendation. I just picked up a 5'tall fruiting specimen and the fruit is amazing to eat.

[SHEP]

Forgot to mention, buy your Citrus trees from Four Winds.  They have been developed without a tap root, so that you can keep in a pot.  Cecile

[Tracy]

I may have missed what zone in Southern California you are looking to plant these in, which would perhaps help you shorten your list.  One item I didn't see suggested was fig trees.  I had great success with White Genoa figs in Carlsbad, CA, which is a very tasty variety as well as prolific producer.  Before we moved from that house, we invested in a fruit drier, because we couldn't keep up with eating and giving away all the fruit one tree produced.  Bananas can do well in some areas of So Cal as well.  A neighbor in Leucadia, CA has had great success with Goldfinger variety, so I planted one 4 years ago.  Goldfinger has been a consistent producer for me now as well with 2 new plants popping up shortly before 1 stalk fruits, so 1 stalk can become a clump over time.  I read about the Wurtz avocados, but have never tasted that variety.  Especially with the avocado, make sure you have tasted and like the flavor of the variety you select.  Haas are no brainers for flavor, but I'm a big fan of Reeds as well.  Lots of old Reed Avos around where I live, and they tend to have less spread, and go more upright.  This summer I planted a mango variety (Alphonso Mango/Mangifera indica) again based on experience of a neighbor's success with them.

[Shad]

I'm in zone 10A. I ordered a few fruit trees online last month. They were supposed to be shipped out last month but they just emailed me that they are now out of stock of 2 of the trees I ordered. I ordered a Pluot, 3N1 Peach, Nectaplum, Nectarine, and Aprium. I'm also going to buy a Jaboticaba. I'm still debating if I want to add a avocado because of the size.