Which Fruit Trees Grow Best on Hillsides?

Which fruit species (mainly native) do you recommend for planting in ‘hilly’ areas, typical of the relief and climate of the Atlantic Forest? I'm from the interior of the mountainous region of RJ.

Question from Leandro Senhorinho Antunes sent by IG

Hello Leandro, thank you for your question! When we are faced with the selection of species for an agroforestry project, we take into account many factors, such as the farmer's interest in the crop, existence or market potential, and of course, the species’ suitability for the local climate and vegetation.

There are still other aspects to be taken into consideration, depending on the initial context. In our project Timburi, which is also located in the Atlantic Forest, but in a very different climatic and vegetation context from its region, in addition to the factors we mentioned above, we also considered the availability of nurseries. For this project, as fruit trees, we included the cashew tree, the guava, the araçá-do-campo (Psidium guineense) and the purple araçá (Psidium myrtoides), the last two being natives.

For the region where you are, use the local forest as a guide for choosing species, observing species that occur naturally in the steepest areas and getting to know local nurseries to understand the availability of seedlings. Remember that it is also important to think about how the product generated will be sold, that is, whether fresh, in sweets or jellies. Together, these factors will help you choose species that fit your site and goals.