Forrest Landross

Hey guys -
Looking for two pretty specific recommendations for Denver (zone 6a) climate.
I'm looking types of trees that produce tasty and unique fruit, can winter 0 deg and under sometimes. (Full sun)

Also same, except produce well in partial shade.

No apples, pears, etc, I have those already or want to plant something I can't get in a typical store. Would love to hear about paw paw, persimmon, etc that work well in high, semi-arid climate.
Thanks!!
Forrest

This is such great info, thanks!!

Forrest

P.s. Does anyone have pics of suburban swales?

Hi all -

First post. Looking for some suggestions on creating a food forest. 7-12 mos ago I planted 6 fruit trees, 3 shade trees in the back lawn which is a maybe 2000 sqft sloping down towards an open space filled w/ Colorado grasses and a drainage creek 100ft from the fence line. Many types of aquatic birds.

I think I would like to build a swale or two in the backyard to trap the water, including the roof water that I will divert (shhh ... I think this is literally against CO water law ... at least water trapment in rain barrels is).

My questions:

1. The fruit trees (and a couple other shade trees) are in rows at two different elevations. Should the trees be inline w/ swales, or in the trench, or?
2. Should I build and plant them now in late July? What perennial cover crops could I successfully plant this late? (any suggestions on where to get the seed?)
3. Should I make the swales hugelbeds?
4. Any other suggestions for the high desert (that is getting a lot of rain this year)?

Thanks!
Forrest