Western North Carolina , which base to the Appalachian Mountains , is also known as the " Foothills " area and includes the tourist - destination of Asheville . The area is turn up in USDA Zone 7 , where winter temperatures can drop to 0 degrees Fahrenheit . This area is good for growing yield trees , and apples are a central crop throughout the commonwealth . Fruits that require a certain turn of chill hours ( temperatures below 45 degrees ) , perform well in the Foothills . Home gardener should select fruit trees that can pull round late frost , or flower late , as the weather can be discrepant .

Apples

Many apple trees grow well in the Foothills region , though early varieties should be avoided due to the risk of frost damage . Braeburn , Fuji and Rome smorgasbord are all later producers and should be safe from freezing . Braeburns and Fujis , which are feel in nearly every market store in the U.S. , are both intermediate - sized , immobile , sweet fruits , though Braeburn is a bit tart . Rome is a larger apple with bright red skin , and is considered good for baking and canning than eating . Malus pumila Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree require between 900 to 1,200 hours of chill time and produce fruit from July to early November , bet on the variety . Braeburns , Fujis and Romes should be quick for harvest in western North Carolina in the late fall . Tree should be planted in full sun and expect regular water as yield spring up .

Pears

mutual pears ( Pyrus communis ) can thrive in the Foothills area of North Carolina , as they need a lower limit of 600 chill hours , and sooner up to 900 . Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may be protected from previous frost by planting on a down slope or close to a dwelling . Most pear tree found in grocery store are " European " pear , which include the Anjou , Barlett and Bosc varieties . Anjou is a former - season variety and needs less protection than either Bartlett or Bosc , which may bloom before the last frost in the Appalachians . Pear trees , which are susceptible to fireblight , should be implant in full sunshine and command even water .

Plums

Both the European ( Prunus domestica ) and Japanese ( P. salicina ) varieties of plum tree tree diagram can do well in North Carolina Foothills , as the European varieties require up to 900 hr of shiver time and the Japanese potpourri require up to 500 . Nipponese varieties will grow better in the valleys , while European varieties can do well at higher elevation . Damson is a late - producing European variety that should flower after the last frost , while Ozark Premier is a Japanese variety that has unfermented flavor and should ripen in July or August . Plum trees should be planted in full Sunday and require even soakings to keep the roots moist . Because rain is inconsistent in the Foothills , gardener should be particularly paying attention to begrime damp of young trees .

References

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