Almost monthly we find that we are being presented with a new exercise, or diet, plan designed specifically to entice us to change the way in which we live.

It is true that we all should examine closely our current behaviour with a view to eating a great deal  more fresh fruit and vegetables and taking far more exercise. One thing we might want to do is  to think about growing one or two fruit trees in our garden. However, as most gardens are only small places, it is probable that you might be a little restricted in the options available.

The majority of us well understand that organic fruit and vegetables are a great deal better for us than the alternatives but the increased cost is commonly too prohibitive. We also understand that the fresher the veg or fruit is the  more vitamins and minerals it contains. By cultivating our very own fruit trees we can produce organic fruit at an extremely low cost furthermore, because it can be harvested immediately before use, such fruit is also the freshest available.

The largest number of us reside in a city environment where it is common to have yards which leave only a rather meagre place in which to plant a garden. Such gardens are not suitable for large mature trees which can lead to a selection of problems. The roots can encroach upon foundations, branches can force themselves against walls and windows and they also block the sunlight. The most obvious problem is that such a large item in a small place will simply look out of place.

Even in the smallest backyard something amazingly wonderfull can be created. Professional landscaping contractors can create the most incredible plans but, with a fair bit of effort and time, it is possible to do this yourself. To do it correctly you will need to study a little to understand which are the best trees, shrubs and plants to grow and the correct way to use them.

If you have a incredibly small yard the addition of a fruit tree will add beauty and interest. In the spring the tree will be covered in superb looking, and sweet smelling, blossom. By the time of fall the tree will be covered in ripe fruit ready for the picking. Even during the winter a fruit tree can still appear incredibly interesting and such a tree will act as a focal point.

It is now possible to buy dwarf fruit tree types, these are formed by grafting the main stem of a fruit tree to specific dwarf root stock. Modern dwarf root stock, such as M9, is more reliable than older types of dwarf root stock. M9 root stock can cause a fruit tree to stay rather small while still producing a much larger amount of fruit.

Modern compact fruit trees can be grown in small gardens as the dwarf variety produces a large amount of fruit from the smallest of bushes. A dwarf fruit tree will uncommonly be larger than 1.8m high but the amount of growth can be decreased a little further by cultivating it in a container. By following the correct pruning regime you can restrict the growth while retaining a perfect architecture.

Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the landscaper with only a small backyard, is the spur apple tree. While the tree can still grow up to 1.8m high it has such an upright habit that it often appears rather strange covered in a multitude of ripened apples.

Besides as apple trees there are dwarf varieties of fruit tree such as plums, nectarines, figs, cherries, pears and more.