trees died to ground, now returning; will they ever fruit?

[mitch landen]

I -- after years of keeping them in huge pots -- last fall yard-planted several tender fruit trees (here in eastern NC). I've aged to the point where I could no longer drag the heavy pots inside or to an outside utility room, even via handcart, so into the ground they had to go, come-what-may.

Specific trees: Lychee, guava, red grapefruit, blood orange. They've been productive for years. January was kinda brutal, and each tree (covered thickly with pinestraw) died to the ground. I was surprised that each, in spring, had sprouts popping up from the trunks; multiple, but healthy-looking. No blooms on any of the trees.

I'm wondering: any chance these trees/bushlets will ever fruit? Anything I could do to encourage them (like remove all sprouts for a tree except 1 -- and let that return next year, maybe, as a trunk)?

Some data: the arbaquina olive and Japanese tangerine I had in the yard since year-before-last did really well over the winter. No blooms, though. The super starfruit tree I've had for years, in a pot, didn't make the transition to garden soil for winter. Sad.

Thx a heap for any insights, thoughts, feedback!

Mitch

 

[Leo231]

I -- after years of keeping them in huge pots -- last fall yard-planted several tender fruit trees (here in eastern NC). I've aged to the point where I could no longer drag the heavy pots inside or to an outside utility room, even via handcart, so into the ground they had to go, come-what-may.

Specific trees: Lychee, guava, red grapefruit, blood orange. They've been productive for years. January was kinda brutal, and each tree (covered thickly with pinestraw) died to the ground. I was surprised that each, in spring, had sprouts popping up from the trunks; multiple, but healthy-looking. No blooms on any of the trees.

I'm wondering: any chance these trees/bushlets will ever fruit? Anything I could do to encourage them (like remove all sprouts for a tree except 1 -- and let that return next year, maybe, as a trunk)?

Some data: the arbaquina olive and Japanese tangerine I had in the yard since year-before-last did really well over the winter. No blooms, though. The super starfruit tree I've had for years, in a pot, didn't make the transition to garden soil for winter. Sad.

Thx a heap for any insights, thoughts, feedback!

Mitch

 

[Leo231]

What a journey! It's inspiring how you've adapted with the seasons of life and still found a way to care for those beloved fruit trees. Nature’s resilience is incredible—seeing fresh sprouts after a rough winter gives hope! With your lychee, guava, and citrus bouncing back from the base, you might have a shot at fruiting again—especially if the rootstock wasn’t grafted. Choosing a strong central sprout and training it like a new trunk is a smart move. Give it time, sunlight, and patience—it may reward you yet!

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