North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>]

Malus fusca is a species of apple native to the Pacific NW.  It has two traits useful for your purposes. One is that it's the most resistant to fireblight of all apples.  The other is that it grows along streambanks, even into the water somewhat, so it can take wet soil easily.  The fruit is too tiny to be much good, but  the species would give you a way to grow apples on your soggy site.  Sadly, Pierre Rotschky, who had more experience with this species than anyone I know, passed away last October.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at http://www.bunchgrapes.com  Winner of the Garden Writers Association "Best Talent in Writing" award for 2003.
On Apr 9, 2005, at 7:43 PM, Richard Moyer wrote:

Deb wrote:
I have a place along a drainage ditch that I would like to plant a
fruiting hedge.  Our soil is heavy clay.  The front lip of the ditch
does drain, but it is still a wet area.  Are there any fruiting hedges
that would do well in a location like this?  I am in SE Ohio.

Deb, 
We have a clay area at our place that floods during heavy rains, and
Amelanchier canadensis (Juneberry) is doing well there. Got ours from
Lawyer's Nursery.  Have seen Juneberry growing in soggy places along
mountain streams and bogs near here.  The form we have is multistemmed
and tops out at 8-10 feet, but could be pruned shorter.  Outstanding
multiseason interest; ours in full bloom now.
Another to try is pawpaw, which also is seasonally flooded in some
habitat here.
Consider too the native swamp rose, which has decent flavored hips.  
Agreed with previous post that elderberry a good choice.
Richard Moyer
East Tenn, Zone 6