Hot dry weather is best for disease-free ripening. Apricots are thus better suited to the arid Interior than to wet Maritime zones. They are also not as demanding of full sun as other fruits. The damp climate of the Maritime, however, predisposes pears to leaf diseases unless they are in full sun. There are plum varieties suitable for almost every Northwest site.
Some plums sucker readily and are thus useful in hedgerows.
The trees are at their best in deep, sandy, well-drained soils. Peaches need plenty of warm weather and sunlight to ripen properly. Nectarines are similar in requirements and habits. A well drained soil is essential. Cherries need full sunlight and adequate moisture to ripen well.