The Leavens property Field guide

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Leavens Property Field Guide
FRUITING PLANTS OF SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA
Vickie Leavens
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
WRTG A111
PROFESSOR GREGORY HARTLEY
JUNE 11, 2020

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Introduction
With every passing year, more and more people are thinking about the foods they are
consuming, leading to more people growing their food at home. Understanding what plants
thrive and what plants may not survive the long cold winters experienced in Anchorage is
essential to starting your home garden. According to Abigail Gehring, 2012 “Before you can
start a garden, it is helpful to understand what plants need in order to thrive”(p. 2) Gehring
explains the basic needs of a plant to thrive, which are the length of the day, temperature, water,
and soil pH levels. In this study, I will look at what fruiting plants can be grown in the
Anchorage area and whether these plants are thriving, surviving, or dying in that climate? I
intend to prove that not only can you grow fruiting plants in that climate zone, but the plants that
do grow there are thriving. A plant that is thriving will have an excellent green color and will be
free from insects; it will also show signs of recent growth.
The weather in Anchorage consists of short, mild summers and long, cold winters. The
combination of these two things makes growing fruit a challenging task. Choosing plants that are
appropriate for the zone they will be planted in, as well as the proper placement of plants, can be
the key to its survival. As you can see from the plant hardiness zone map, planting in Anchorage
should consist of plants hardy to -25° below zero. These will include all plants from Zones 4b-
8b. Plants not within this range will require protection from the elements, and this may involve
over-wintering them in a local nursery, insulating and wrapping them, or planting them against a
warm foundational wall away from the wind.

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According to the United States Department of Agriculture map pictured below,
Anchorage is considered a zone 4 location. “The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the
standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at
a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into
10-degree F zones.”
United States Department of Agriculture

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The growing season in Anchorage is not exceptionally long, and the first frost will
happen around mid to end of September. Anchorage has less than five months of growing season
before the first frost will force a harvest to happen.
Anchorage does have long summer days with the longest day happening around mid-
June. According to timeanddate “June Solstice (Summer Solstice) is on Saturday, June 20, 2020
at 1:43 pm in Anchorage. In terms of daylight, this day is 13 hours, 54 minutes longer than on
December Solstice. In most locations north of Equator, the longest day of the year is around this
date.” (2020)
There are many different varieties of fruiting trees and plants that thrive in the Anchorage
area. Some have adapted to the climate with no interference from humankind, others have
needed a little help to survive the cold winters. There are a few ways you can do this. The first
(US Department of Commerce, 2017)

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method is by grafting a shoot from your desired tree onto the rootstock of a hardier plant of the
same variety, for example, you cannot graft a cherry tree to a crab apple stock or vice versa. The
next option you have is budding, which is also a form of grafting but requires less scion wood.
To perform a successful graft from budding, you
will look for a single bud located between the
stalk and a leaf; you will carefully remove that
bud and attach it to your scion wood.
By performing grafting and budding, you can
improve a plant’s cold hardiness and to
reproduce your most desirable or highest
producing trees. For there to be a successful
graft, your Scion must mate up perfectly with
your rootstock.
Methods
The collection of this data was
completed through the observation of plants found on the Leavens property. Fruiting plants were
identified, photographed, and journaled. These plants included trees, bushes, and leafing plants
that produce edible fruits. The Leavens Property can be found within the Southside of Anchorage
on the lower hillside. This southside property is just under 2 acres.
Lewis, W. J., Alexander, D. M. (2008). Grafting & Budding:
A Practical Guide for Fruit and Nut Plants and Ornamentals.
Lewis, W. J., Alexander, D. M. (2008). Grafting & Budding: A
Practical Guide for Fruit and Nut Plants and Ornamentals.

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Results
The Norland apple tree grows in an upright but
spreading pattern and can survive temperatures as low as -
45°, which makes it a zone 2b plant. This tree produces a
medium-sized fruit, which is about 2.5cm in diameter. The
skin can be green and red with hues of yellow throughout.
The shape of this apple is elongated with a ribbed pattern
running from stem to navel. This apple is excellent for fresh
eating and cooking but will only store for a few months and
only if picked before maturity.Norland Apple Tree
Lee 17 Apple Tree
The Lee 17 Apple tree grows in an upright pattern
without much spreading. This tree can survive temperatures
as low as -35°, which makes it a zone 3b plant. This tree
produces a medium-sized fruit, 2.5cm in diameter. The fruit
is sweet and crisp to eat but does not store well. This apple is
mostly round in shape. It has a green and red coloration that
also has a variegated pattern within the skin.

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This tree grows in an upright pattern with very
narrow branching. It is a hardy tree that is known to survive
temperatures as low as -55°, which makes it a Zone 1a
plant. The fruit is small at 1cm in diameter and ripens early
in the season, making it an excellent plant for areas with a
short growing season. The skin is thin and yellow, and it
has a soft flesh that does not have a lot of flavor. This fruit
bruises easily and does not store well. It is great for sauce
and cider.Chinese Golden Early
Prairie Sensation Apple
This tree is a full upward growing tree that produces
its fruit closer to the stalk of the tree than the outer portions
of the limbs. This tree can handle temperatures as low as
-45°, which makes it a Zone 2b plant. It produces a large
apple that can grow to 9cm in diameter. The fruit is round
and has a green and red color. The flavor is sweet, and the
flesh is crisp. This apple can store for up to 4 months if
picked before fully ripe and is excellent for making pies.

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The Evens cherry tree can grow to ten feet tall and 6
feet wide. In early spring it produces an aromatic white
flower that attracts the honey and bumble bees to the yard.
This tree is self-pollinating, so there is no need for another
for fruit production. The fruit is a small bright red stone
fruit which is quite tart. It is great for making jams, pies,
brownies and ice cream. This tree can survive temperatures
as low as -35°, which makes it a zone 3b plant.
Evans Cherry Tree
Williams, S., Bors, B. (2017). Growing Fruit in Northern
Gardens. Canada: Coteau Books. Page 126
Siberian Crabapple Tree (Dolgo)
The The Siberian crabapple, also known as a Dolgo
crabapple, is a narrow, rapidly upright growing tree. The
Dolgo is a hardy tree that is known to survive temperatures
as low as -55°, which makes it a Zone 1a plant. The fruit is
a small and elongated apple that is a beautiful red color.
This apple only grows to 3cm in diameter. This fruit is a
crisp tart fruit which makes excellent jams or jellies.

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Gooseberry Bush
The Gooseberry bush is a fast-growing full bush
that can grow up to four feet tall and 6 feet across. It
produces a white flower that will turn into a translucent
purple berry that is very tart in flavor. This plant can
survive in temperatures as low as -40°, which makes it a
Zone 3a plant. Gooseberry bushes are highly susceptible to
an infestation of sawfly worms, which can be exceedingly
difficult to eradicate.
High Bush Cranberry
The Alaskan high bush cranberry is a deep green
shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in the
spring. This plant can survive in temperatures as low as
-50°, which makes it a Zone 2a plant. This plant and can
grow up to ten feet tall and 8 feet wide, it will produce
clusters of bright red tart berries that are excellent for jams
and jellies.

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Saskatoon serviceberry Bush
The Saskatoon serviceberry bush grows in an
upward direction with multiple stems emerging from the
ground level as the plant matures. It produces clusters of
fragrant white flowers in the early spring that turn to a deep
purple berry that has a close resemblance to a blueberry.
This plant can survive in temperatures a low as -50°, which
makes it a Zone 2a plant. This plant can grow up to sixteen
feet tall and spread up to eight feet wide
Red Currant Bush
The red currant bush grows to 5 feet tall and 3 feet
across. It produces a white flower that has little aroma. This
flower turns to cascading bright red berries, which are very
tart in flavor. This plant can survive in temperatures as low
as -40°, which makes it a Zone 3a plant. Red currants may
not be considered very palatable to most, making it an
excellent berry for jams or jellies. Currents are highly
susceptible to an infestation of sawfly worms, which can be
exceedingly difficult to eradicate.

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Heritage Rasberry Bush
The heritage raspberry bush grows up to five feet
tall and can reach up to 4 feet wide. It produces a small red
berry that is good for eating right off the bush or using for
jams, jellies. This berry is much smaller that domesticated
cultivars but is not lacking in flavor. This plant can survive
in temperatures as low as -40°, which makes it a Zone 3a
plant. These berries make an excellent jelly and when
combined with rhubarb it also makes an amazing pie!
There are many different varieties of strawberries
that do well in Alaska. I have not verified this variety, so I
am unable to give to much information. What I do know is,
it can survive temperatures as low as -25°, which makes it a
zone 4b plant. It may survive even colder. It has been
growing at a steady pace and the flowers have turned to
ripe fruit in under 2 weeks. It has sent out shoots that have
started rooting into new plants as well.
Strawberry Plant

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Discussion
During the two weeks I was identifying and collecting data, I was able to identify twelve
varieties of fruiting plants photographed above. Among those were five different types of apple
trees: the Norland, Lee 17, Chinese golden early, Prairie sensation and a Dolgo. All apple trees
were full of foliage and green. The flowers dropped during this two-week timeframe in which the
observation occurred, and they appear to be beginning phase of setting fruit. There were also
three Evans cherry trees. These trees had already begun to drop flowers and set fruit when
observation began. They were a full dark green, and the fruit is now the size of a jellybean. Five
different fruiting shrubs were observed, including a Gooseberry bush, Red currant bush,
Highbush cranberry, Raspberry bushes, and a Serviceberry bush. All of these bushes were also
full and starting to set fruit. Also recorded were Strawberry plants, which had flowered and
grown mature fruit over the two-week observation time. All the plants were doing exceptionally
well, considering the cloudy conditions and rains we were experiencing during that time frame.
For research purposes, one of each variety of the plants were left untreated for insects.
During this period, two types of plants became overrun with sawfly worms and eaten clean of all
foliage. Although this is to the detriment of the plant, it will survive, and a proper pruning will
help it bounce back stronger next year.
Sawfly worm hard at work
Currant bush eaten in five days by sawfly worm

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Conclusion
Plants observed during the collection of this data were flourishing in the climate. There
were some other considerations for growing fruiting plants in Anchorage. It is my observation
that some of the plants were susceptible to insect infestation. When left untreated, the
Gooseberry and Currant bushes became overrun with sawfly worms and did succumb to their
wrath. The sawfly worm was able to eat the plants down to the stock within a matter of days.
It is my conclusion that fruiting plants can be successfully be grown within our climate
zone, and those plants can flourish. Plants that are cared for by humankind are going to grow
more successfully. Pests that also live in this climate can wreak havoc on a susceptible plant if
left unchecked, preventing the plant from producing at its full potential.

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References
Customweather, W. (2020). Climate & Weather Averages in Anchorage, Alaska, USA [All Year
Climate & Weather Averages in Anchorage]. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/usa/anchorage/climate
Gehring, A. (2012). The Ultimate Self-Sufficiency Handbook: A Complete Guide to Baking,
Crafts, Gardening, Preserving Your Harvest, Raising Animals, and More. Retrieved June
29, 2020, from https://books.google.com/books?id=EvBDCgAAQBAJ
Lewis, A. (2008). Grafting & Budding. Retrieved June 23, 2020, from
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Grafting_Budding/EX_kYBTu8ZsC?hl=en
Timeanddate, T. (2020). Anchorage, Alaska, USA - Sunrise, Sunset, and Daylength, June 2020.
Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/anchorage?month=6
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2020, from
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
US Department of Commerce, N. (2017, September 13). Normal Growing Season End Dates As
of September 12th For Southcentral and Southwest Alaska. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from
https://www.weather.gov/afc/GrowingSeasonEnding
Williams, S., & Bors, B. (2017). Growing Fruit in Northern Gardens. Retrieved June 23, 2020,
from

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https://www.google.com/books/edition/Growing_Fruit_in_Northern_Gardens/z9skDwAA
QBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1