Chapter 1. The Blessing over Trees

alef The blessing is recited over a blossom that is meant to produce fruit, but over a blossom that is not meant to produce fruit, one does not recite the blessing 1 .

bet Some authorities hold that two trees are required 2 , and some have the custom that they should be of two different species; however, the primary halachic ruling is that it is sufficient to recite the blessing over one tree 3 .

gimel Although some are meticulous to recite the blessing over trees in fields or orchards 4 — the primary halachic ruling is that one may recite the blessing even over a tree in a courtyard.

dalet One may even be lenient and recite the blessing over a tree planted in a perforated pot.

Heh. If the blossom has fallen and the fruit has begun to grow, as long as the fruit is unripe and not fit to eat, one should recite the blessing over it lechatchila.

vav If one saw it and did not recite the blessing the first time he saw it, he may recite the blessing the second time he sees it only if there are still blossoms on the tree. But if there are no longer any blossoms and the fruit has begun to grow, he may not recite the blessing upon a second sighting.

zayin One may recite the blessing both by day and by night, provided that he sees the trees clearly.