What's the lowdown (or high-up) on Italian Tree Tomatoes?

Jeffery_Goss · January 23, 2008

For almost 10 years I have been seeing these Rush Industries ads for "Italian Tree Tomatoes". They supposedly can grow to 15 feet high, need little pruning, taste like "old-fashioned" tomatoes, can bear 90 lbs./year, 2 lbs./fruit, and bear within 90 days of planting.

I have wondered a few things about Italian tree tomatoes:

1) Is it a hybrid or GMO introduction?

2) Can it be grown from seed? (Rush Industries always offers plants, but no seed.)

3) Why isn't it more popular than it is? Is there some "catch" that the ads don't tell us about? (As the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.)

4) Is it an annual like other tomatoes, or a perennial like other trees?

5) Where does it grow?

With much curiosity,

Jeffery

**carolyn137** · January 23, 2008

For almost 10 years I have been seeing these Rush Industries ads for "Italian Tree Tomatoes". They supposedly can grow to 15 feet high, need little pruning, taste like "old-fashioned" tomatoes, can bear 90 lbs./year, 2 lbs./fruit, and bear within 90 days of planting.

********

It goes by several other names as well, best known name is Climbing Trip-L Crop and was introduced by the Burgess seed Co many years ago and has been listed in the SSE Yearbook forever, almost. Any time there are Sunday news section pullouts with tomato offerings one should be wary.

As to Climbing Trip-L Crop:

I have wondered a few things about Italian tree tomatoes:

1) Is it a hybrid or GMO introduction?

Neither

2) Can it be grown from seed? (Rush Industries always offers plants, but no seed.)

Yes it can be grown from seed.

3) Why isn't it more popular than it is? Is there some "catch" that the ads don't tell us about? (As the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.)

It's an ordinary variety that isn't all that great, IMO, and vines do not get 15 ft long. It is an ind.

4) Is it an annual like other tomatoes, or a perennial like other trees?

An annual like other tomato varieties. Known by the name Italian Tree it has nothing at all to do with trees, that's just hype. And there is a listing for Italian Tree in the SSE YEarbooks and it's never been popular and few list it. Only one person lists it as Italian Tree in the 2007 Yearbook and seed source was Totally Tomatoes as Italian Tree.

5) Where does it grow?

Anywhere that any tomato plant can grow.

Hope that helps a bit and above is my best guesstimate that Italian Tree and Climbing Trip-L Crop are the same variety. Sometimes it's been listed as red, sometimes pink, as to fruit color.

bcday · January 23, 2008

To add to what Carolyn said:

Any indeterminate tomato plant, not only this one, has the potential to reach 15 feet. My Black Cherry would have if I didn't start cutting it back at 10 feet.

No tomato plant needs to be pruned. To prune or not prune is completely up to the grower depending on the space available and personal preference. Many people don't prune their tomatoes, especially if the plants are grown in cages.

The name "Italian Tree Tomato" allows people to believe that the plant is entirely self-supporting at the height of 15 feet, like a real tree. It's not a tree, it's a long vine like other indeterminate tomatoes and it needs support unless you want to let it sprawl over the ground.

I am very wary of ads that say "up to" some size or quantity such as 2 lbs. or 2-3 bushels. CYA!

I really have to laugh at ads like this when "Grows indoors or outdoors" leads people to believe that the plants will produce 2-3 bushels of 2-lb. tomatoes indoors in less than 90 days. LOL. Indoors in a greenhouse maybe, but does the ad say that or does it lead you to believe that you can get those results indoors in the average home?

Yes, they can be grown from seed. In fact, the ad says "ready to sow with easy-to-follow instructions." That sounds to me like they are sending seeds.

kygreg · January 23, 2008

I grew the Climbing L one season; was at best average in taste, size of the fruit, and size of the plant; but again that was only for one season and in Zone 6

Jeffery_Goss · January 25, 2008

Is it true that the plant needs no support and is freestanding, like a tree?

**carolyn137** · January 25, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffery_Goss

Is it true that the plant needs no support and is freestanding, like a tree?

No, that's not true as several folks have already posted above.

It's a typical indeterminate variety.

**nctomatoman** · January 25, 2008

Hype! just hype! I saw that ad. if you've grown Brandywine, or Polish, or Stump of the World, you've grown a variety that probably looks just like what they are advertising. Indeterminate, potato leaf, large pink fruit. As others have stated here, it doesn't appear to have the superior flavor of the three I mention, however.

goodwin · January 25, 2008

I grew it last year. It was a slow growing vine which set a few late fruit.
However, the photos you see with the grower having to use a 6 foot ladder to pick her tomatoes are wonderful!
They deserve a place along side the postcards with the big fish loaded on the boat trailer.

prizebull · January 18, 2010

I just got my 'Burgess Trip-L-Crop climbing tomato' advertisement in a coupon mailing and I just have to get them because 'Only a $1.00 for a jumbo packet' how can you go wrong with 'HUGE scarlet red 6 " across...unequalled for slicing and canning...vines reach 12 to 18 feet... 2 bushels from 1 plant...catalog price $2.65

Worth1 · January 18, 2010

My brother spent a wad on these things one year against my advice but I'm stupid right.
When he asks me something anymore I just tell him to get lost he just wants to start an argument anyway.

As for the tree tomato on a good year if I let the vines of my other tomatoes keep going up and up it would be very common for me to use an 8 foot ladder to pick the fruit.
No I don't grow anything from these adds, I got ripped off when I was in the fourth grade with a skeleton I ordered and that was when I learned my lesson.

Worth

Worth1 · January 18, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by prizebull

I just got my 'Burgess Trip-L-Crop climbing tomato' advertisement in a coupon mailing and I just have to get them because 'Only a $1.00 for a jumbo packet' how can you go wrong with 'HUGE scarlet red 6 " across...unequalled for slicing and canning...vines reach 12 to 18 feet... 2 bushels from 1 plant...catalog price $2.65

Your kidding right?

Man have I got some seeds for you.
These little devils will get to 20 feet or more are a beutifull yellow pear shape.
The TREE will get to 3 feet in diamiter and are just loaded with fruit all summer long.

And even more they can be grown indoors or out.

Worth

prizebull · January 19, 2010

Send those seeds Worth ! It'll be great ,I'll only have to plant two seeds this year and I'll have all the toms I need.Best part I'll get them all within 90 days!
When I was small I just had to have a certain pair of shoes for school and my mother made sure I really wanted them because we only got one pair for the whole school year.I learned a lesson on buying quality versus style.I had foot pain for months.
Gene

Worth1 · January 19, 2010

SHOES

What kills me is for a boot made in the good ole USA that cost me $15 back in 75 now costs $200 and its made in the good ole Republic of China.

Worth

sfmathews · January 20, 2010

Not holding a grudge or anything, are ya Worth?

No I don't grow anything from these adds, I got ripped off when I was in the fourth grade with a skeleton I ordered and that was when I learned my lesson.

chesterewers · May 24, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

SHOES

What kills me is for a boot made in the good ole USA that cost me $15 back in 75 now costs $200 and its made in the good ole Republic of China.

Worth

I know! I bought a pair of georgia boots in december, it said guaranteed comfort or your money back, took it back had to wait 2 weeks for another size to come in it still didn't fit, I had to send it into the company for a refund, while waiting almost 3 months to finally get a refund I also discovered the boots were made in china! But its Georgia usa! Well finally got a pair of redwing boots for 60 bucks off ebay brand new, those always fit me well strangely enough tho the heat moldable insoles which I bought at the local shoe store, they say redwing had a big usa tag in the box but on the back it said made in Korea. So I am disappointed.

January 23, 2008	#1
Jeffery_Goss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 26	What's the lowdown (or high-up) on Italian Tree Tomatoes? For almost 10 years I have been seeing these Rush Industries ads for "Italian Tree Tomatoes". They supposedly can grow to 15 feet high, need little pruning, taste like "old-fashioned" tomatoes, can bear 90 lbs./year, 2 lbs./fruit, and bear within 90 days of planting. I have wondered a few things about Italian tree tomatoes: 1) Is it a hybrid or GMO introduction? 2) Can it be grown from seed? (Rush Industries always offers plants, but no seed.) 3) Why isn't it more popular than it is? Is there some "catch" that the ads don't tell us about? (As the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.) 4) Is it an annual like other tomatoes, or a perennial like other trees? 5) Where does it grow? With much curiosity, Jeffery

January 23, 2008	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	For almost 10 years I have been seeing these Rush Industries ads for "Italian Tree Tomatoes". They supposedly can grow to 15 feet high, need little pruning, taste like "old-fashioned" tomatoes, can bear 90 lbs./year, 2 lbs./fruit, and bear within 90 days of planting. ******** It goes by several other names as well, best known name is Climbing Trip-L Crop and was introduced by the Burgess seed Co many years ago and has been listed in the SSE Yearbook forever, almost. Any time there are Sunday news section pullouts with tomato offerings one should be wary. As to Climbing Trip-L Crop: I have wondered a few things about Italian tree tomatoes: 1) Is it a hybrid or GMO introduction? Neither 2) Can it be grown from seed? (Rush Industries always offers plants, but no seed.) Yes it can be grown from seed. 3) Why isn't it more popular than it is? Is there some "catch" that the ads don't tell us about? (As the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.) It's an ordinary variety that isn't all that great, IMO, and vines do not get 15 ft long. It is an ind. 4) Is it an annual like other tomatoes, or a perennial like other trees? An annual like other tomato varieties. Known by the name Italian Tree it has nothing at all to do with trees, that's just hype. And there is a listing for Italian Tree in the SSE YEarbooks and it's never been popular and few list it. Only one person lists it as Italian Tree in the 2007 Yearbook and seed source was Totally Tomatoes as Italian Tree. 5) Where does it grow? Anywhere that any tomato plant can grow. Hope that helps a bit and above is my best guesstimate that Italian Tree and Climbing Trip-L Crop are the same variety. Sometimes it's been listed as red, sometimes pink, as to fruit color. __________________ Carolyn

January 25, 2008	#7
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Hype! just hype! I saw that ad. if you've grown Brandywine, or Polish, or Stump of the World, you've grown a variety that probably looks just like what they are advertising. Indeterminate, potato leaf, large pink fruit. As others have stated here, it doesn't appear to have the superior flavor of the three I mention, however. __________________ Craig

January 23, 2008	#3
bcday Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY z5 Posts: 1,205	To add to what Carolyn said: Any indeterminate tomato plant, not only this one, has the potential to reach 15 feet. My Black Cherry would have if I didn't start cutting it back at 10 feet. No tomato plant needs to be pruned. To prune or not prune is completely up to the grower depending on the space available and personal preference. Many people don't prune their tomatoes, especially if the plants are grown in cages. The name "Italian Tree Tomato" allows people to believe that the plant is entirely self-supporting at the height of 15 feet, like a real tree. It's not a tree, it's a long vine like other indeterminate tomatoes and it needs support unless you want to let it sprawl over the ground. I am very wary of ads that say "up to" some size or quantity such as 2 lbs. or 2-3 bushels. CYA! I really have to laugh at ads like this when "Grows indoors or outdoors" leads people to believe that the plants will produce 2-3 bushels of 2-lb. tomatoes indoors in less than 90 days. LOL. Indoors in a greenhouse maybe, but does the ad say that or does it lead you to believe that you can get those results indoors in the average home? Yes, they can be grown from seed. In fact, the ad says "ready to sow with easy-to-follow instructions." That sounds to me like they are sending seeds.

January 23, 2008	#4
kygreg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,019	I grew the Climbing L one season; was at best average in taste, size of the fruit, and size of the plant; but again that was only for one season and in Zone 6

January 25, 2008	#8
goodwin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Espanola, New Mexico Posts: 606	I grew it last year. It was a slow growing vine which set a few late fruit. However, the photos you see with the grower having to use a 6 foot ladder to pick her tomatoes are wonderful! They deserve a place along side the postcards with the big fish loaded on the boat trailer.

January 18, 2010	#9
prizebull Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Akron,N.Y zone 6 Posts: 44	I just got my 'Burgess Trip-L-Crop climbing tomato' advertisement in a coupon mailing and I just have to get them because 'Only a $1.00 for a jumbo packet' how can you go wrong with 'HUGE scarlet red 6 " across...unequalled for slicing and canning...vines reach 12 to 18 feet... 2 bushels from 1 plant...catalog price $2.65

January 18, 2010	#10
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	My brother spent a wad on these things one year against my advice but I'm stupid right. When he asks me something anymore I just tell him to get lost he just wants to start an argument anyway. As for the tree tomato on a good year if I let the vines of my other tomatoes keep going up and up it would be very common for me to use an 8 foot ladder to pick the fruit. No I don't grow anything from these adds, I got ripped off when I was in the fourth grade with a skeleton I ordered and that was when I learned my lesson. Worth

January 19, 2010	#12
prizebull Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Akron,N.Y zone 6 Posts: 44	Send those seeds Worth ! It'll be great ,I'll only have to plant two seeds this year and I'll have all the toms I need.Best part I'll get them all within 90 days! When I was small I just had to have a certain pair of shoes for school and my mother made sure I really wanted them because we only got one pair for the whole school year.I learned a lesson on buying quality versus style.I had foot pain for months. Gene

January 20, 2010	#14
sfmathews Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 398	Not holding a grudge or anything, are ya Worth? No I don't grow anything from these adds, I got ripped off when I was in the fourth grade with a skeleton I ordered and that was when I learned my lesson.