Tree Species

There are a variety of coniferous and deciduous trees throughout the Hendrick Foundation Garden including two distinct orchards that provide beautiful blooms in the spring and a variety of fruits throughout the warmer months. Everyone is encouraged to pick the fruit they produce when ready for harvest.

The mixed orchard planted along the western border of the Garden (closest to Ruelle Holland) includes:

Flemish Beauty Pear

The Flemish Beauty pear has good cold hardiness.Its fruit is large with a greenish-yellow colour, and often a pinkish blush. These sweet, and very juicy, pears are ready for harvesting in late September and recommended for fresh eating right off the tree.

Summercrisp Pear

The Summercrisp pear is ready early in the season (typically August) and is deliciously fresh and crisp. The fruit is green with a red blush, turning yellow in mid-summer. The fruit can be eaten right away or refrigerated for up to two months after harvest.

Northstar Cherry

The Northstar cherry is a dwarf fruit tree that has bright white spring flowers and stays a nice compact size that fits almost any landscape. It also has an interesting bark colour. Its fruit is very tart at first, but quickly develops into a nice, sweet-sour flavour. These cherries are great for both cooking and eating raw.

Montmorency Cherry

The Montmorency is the most popular sour cherry grown in North America. This medium to large cherry tree produces an abundance of white flowers in clusters in spring and bright red cherries with firm yellow flesh in mid to late summer. Their rich, tangy flavour makes them perfect for pies and preserves.

Dolgo Crabapple

The Dolgo Crabapple is exceptionally cold-hardy. It produces abundant and bright red coloured edible crabapples. They will be ready to harvest in late summer and ideal for great coloured jelly. The crabapples have a creamy white flesh, a tart taste, and a firm texture.

The crabapple orchard planted adjacent to the community garden plots includes three varieties:

Dolgo Crabapple

(See above)

Donald Wyman Crabapple

Donald Wyman is a large, spreading crabapple that matures to 15-20’ tall and slightly wider. It was named after Donald Wyman who served as horticulturist of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University horticulturist from 1936 to 1970. Fragrant, white, single flowers bloom in abundance in April. Flowers are followed by bright red crabapples that mature in fall. Crabapples persist on the tree well into winter, providing additional interest. Birds are attracted to the fruit. Leaves are dark green and toothed in summer and turn amber-gold in fall.

Royal Raindrops Crabapple

Royal Raindrops is one of the prettiest purple-leafed crabapples. Masses of fragrant magenta flowers begin to appear mid-spring. Bright red fruits will appear by mid-summer and tend to attract plenty of birds. The apples can last until the early winter.