Apricots

Apricots are native to central Asia, cultivated there for about 4000 years. Downeast (coastal) Maine apricot grower and good friend Richard “Ozzie” Ossolinski wrote, “From what I saw during a recent road trip through the Stans, apricot ‘orchards’ hardly seem necessary…Wild trees are as prevalent there as spruces are here in Maine. Even in the most rugged mountain terrain apricot trees seem to have established themselves wherever a few teaspoons of soil exist near a trickle of water: really pretty amazing.”

The trees are only marginally adaptable to northern New England. Because their early blossoms are sensitive to cold spring weather, they are often planted with northern exposures to delay blooming. Large crops are possible but uncommon in Maine. The zone rating should be viewed as an approximation because much depends on your site. We are on the lookout for reports of hardy trees in Maine and other northern locations. Please let us know if you’ve had success. Plant 15–20' apart. Self-pollinating.