Best Fruit Trees To Grow with James Kaechele

Best Fruit Trees To Grow with James Kaechele

Author: Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com December 30, 2025 Duration: 59:31
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Learn how to choose the right fruit trees for real communities in real climates with James Kaechele, an ISA Certified Master Arborist and Program Arborist at the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF). FTPF is a nonprofit organization that plants orchards across the United States and around the world.

Also, consider joining Susan's Book Development Team if you are passionate about fruit trees and would love to help shape her new books.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  


Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://orchardpeople.com/books


HOW TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST

The show airs on the last Tuesday of every month on RealityRadio101 at 1:00 PM ET! While it’s no longer live, you can still watch or listen anytime—and catch the recorded podcast anytime afterward.


📺 Video Podcast: Watch the recorded episode anytime on our YouTube Podcast Playlist.

🎧 Audio Podcast: Download the podcast and listen on your favorite app after it airs.


IS READING YOUR THING?

🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace.

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Best Fruit Trees to Grow: Choosing the Right Trees for Your Climate (Warm, Cold & Tropical)" and find the video and podcast links there too! 

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/


FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:


✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/

🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:

https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/

🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/

🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:

https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/

🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/


These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!


  • (00:00) - Introduction and the Best Fruit Tree Question
  • (00:25) - Meet James Kaechele from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
  • (00:53) - Understanding the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
  • (04:55) - The Importance of Staggering the Harvest
  • (07:06) - Disease-Resistant Fruit Trees
  • (10:04) - Case Study: Warm Climate Planting
  • (12:11) - Selecting Trees Based on Hardiness Zones and Chill Hours
  • (19:22) - Implementing the Planting Plan
  • (26:06) - Recommended Cultivars for Warm Climates
  • (28:54) - Self-Pollinating Persimmons
  • (30:06) - Cold Hardy Apples in Wisconsin
  • (35:06) - Challenges of Urban Planting
  • (36:02) - Preparing for Tree Planting
  • (38:55) - International Tree Planting Projects
  • (40:05) - Fruit Trees in Peru
  • (45:07) - Climate Change and Tree Selection
  • (46:35) - Mulching and Pollinator Gardens
  • (51:08) - Community Impact of Fruit Trees
  • (55:23) - Farewell and Future Plans

Imagine stepping into your own backyard and picking a perfect, sun-warmed apple from a tree you nurtured yourself. That tangible connection to the land and the deep satisfaction of growing your own food is at the heart of Orchard People. Hosted by fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner, this podcast digs into the practical and often surprising world of cultivating fruit trees, whether you have a few pots on a balcony or several acres to explore. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend, as Susan and her guests unpack the nuances of pruning for better harvests, managing pests without harsh chemicals, and understanding the life beneath our feet through soil health. You’ll hear from specialists on topics like grafting heirloom varieties, designing resilient food forests, and integrating permaculture principles into any space. It’s more than just tips and tricks; it’s about building confidence and community around sustainable growing. Tune in to this garden-focused podcast for grounded advice that helps both new and experienced growers foster healthier trees and more abundant yields, season after season.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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