Best Non-apple/pear to Plant (Zn 6).....Peach, Plum, Apricot, Cherry, Etc?

[CAS_HNTR]

I wanted to plant something other than apples and pears and although I do have a several dozen American plums around in a "wild setting", I am looking more for a true orchard tree.

They are clearly more maintenance than some apple and pears, but does anyone have a solid recommendation for a "limited maintenance" tree that is not an apple or pear that is also good eatin'?

Honestly like all fruits, so I don't really have a preference as to peach, plum apricot, cherry, etc.......just something that will live without huge amounts of maintenance and I can eat!

 

[NE PA QDM]

Persimmon

 

[Prof.Kent]

bLECH. APPLE!

 

[ksgobbler]

Persimmon

Ditto.

 

[H20fwler]

I've had good luck with Rainier cherries...other cherry trees not so much.

Of the cherry trees I have Stella, Black Gold, Bing. Rainier has been way better than the rest for me.

 

[chickenlittle]

Persimmon, paw paw, chinese chestnut

I think maintenance is up to you. I don't think apple requires much effort if you try plant the right varieties and are willing to remove those that show problems.

 

[chickenlittle]

You might also think about rows of bushes, perhaps with some electric fencing until established. Aronia, blueberry, hazelnuts, nanking/bush cherries, elderberry, grapes, hardy kiwi, currants, gooseberry, cranberry, honey berry, goji, goumi, black berry, beach plum. Lots of options that might work.

 

[chickenlittle]

Jujube, mulberry.

 

[DLH]

I second mulberry a good mulberry is hard to beat.