12 Best Types of Fruit Trees To Grow in Your Backyard
Updated: Jul. 25, 2024
From plums to persimmons, fruit trees give healthy nourishment for people and wildlife. Here are some of the best ones to grow in your yard.
Fruit trees create delicious, healthy and beautiful edible landscapes. They’re also wonderful for wildlife, feeding bees with early-season pollen, giving shelter to nesting birds and generally enhancing overall garden biodiversity. But choosing the right fruit tree to grow is vital, since many won’t survive or thrive under certain light, soil and temperature conditions.
Since fruit trees can be a big investment of time and money, make sure to check with a local nursery or arborist for recommendations based on your region and yard specifics. When you can, consider planting a native fruit tree, which is particularly fantastic for creating habitat. This article includes several of those, and the National Wildlife Federation offers this resource for finding keystone plants by ecoregion.
Read on to find the best fruit tree to grow in your backyard.
American Plum Trees
Besides providing their tasty, versatile fruit, native plum trees are a keystone species, which means they provide critical resources for wildlife including food, shelter and breeding sites. “They can support up to 340 species of butterflies and moths,” says Mary Phillips, Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. “And they can be thorny and form a thicket, which is excellent for deterring browsing animals and creating erosion control.”
Most of the U.S. has some form of native plum, or related back cherries and chokecherries. All are well-suited to local climates, fast growing and produce eye-catching spring blossoms and fall foliage.
- Needs full to partial sun, adaptable to most soil types, but well-drained loamy soil is best.
- Zones 3 to 8
- Size: 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide, may form suckers and spread over time
- Fruits in three years, once mature
- Level of care: Low-maintenance
- Attracts butterflies, moths, pollen-specific bees
Apple Trees
From sweet galas to native crabapples, there’s no shortage of apple tree varieties to choose from. When deciding, consider flavor, texture, ripening time, disease resistance and pollination needs.
“Many apple trees are best pollinated by bees, so encouraging pollinators will help your apple,” says Kathy Glassey a certified arborist and plant care expert at Inspire Green. “You could also get two varieties, and one will pollinate the other.”
- Needs full sun, four distinct seasons (especially a cold winter) and moist, well-drained soil.
- Zones 4 to 8 (depending on variety)
- Size: dwarfs reach 10 feet, others reach 20 feet
- Fruit: once mature, dwarfs produce in a few years— others take eight years
- Level of care: relatively easy, but prune regularly
- Pink or white spring blossoms attract pollinators and birds, including orioles, and fallen fruit draws other wildlife.
Pear Trees
Like apples, pear trees come in various shapes, sizes and flavors, but are even easier to grow. They also produce showy spring blooms and vibrantly colored fall foliage.
“They range from crisp and sweet Bartlett’s to juicy and tangy Bosc,” says Dr. Daniel A. Herms of The Davey Tree Expert Company‘s Davey Institute. “They’re great canned, baked into pies or fermented into cider.”
- Needs full sun and well-drained soil
- Zones 4 to 9 (depending on variety)
- Size: dwarfs reach 10 feet; others can reach 25 feet
- Fruits in three to four years, once mature
- Level of care: relatively easy, prune to prevent fireblight disease
- Do not buy Bradford or other Callery pears, which are invasive and produce unpalatable fruit.
Pawpaw Trees
Native to the Midwest and eastern U.S., pawpaw trees are great for beginner gardeners or those who want to spend less time caring for their fruit trees. “Their fruit has a unique flavor, a tropical mix of mango, banana, peach, melon and pineapple, which can be enjoyed fresh or used in baking and desserts,” says Phillips.
As a native plant, pawpaw trees are well adapted to local environments and important to many species, especially zebra swallowtail butterflies and pawpaw sphinx moths, which use them as their larval host plant.
- Needs full to partial sun (naturally an understory tree) and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, but does best in moist, rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
- Zones 5 to 8
- Size: 15 to 25 feet tall, 15 feet wide
- Fruits in five to seven years, once mature
- Level of care: low-maintenance, resistant to most pests and diseases
- Attracts butterflies and moths
Persimmon Trees
Showy persimmon fruit is packed with vitamins and antioxidants and holds a unique flavor. “Some describe it as sweet, like honey when ripe,” says Phillips.
It’s native to much of the eastern and central U.S., so it’s a good choice for those who want to boost the ecosystem and create habitat. Its dense branches offer shelter and nesting sites for birds. Several moths, including luna moths, use it as their larval host plant, and some specialist feeders rely solely on its leaves. It’s also drought-tolerant once established and produces vibrant yellow, orange and red foliage in the fall.
- Needs full sun in cooler climates, part shade in warmer ones; can tolerate many soil conditions but prefers rich, loamy soil.
- Zones 4 to 9
- Size: 30 feet tall, 30 feet wide
- Fruits in two to three years
- Level of care: low-maintenance, resistant to most pests and diseases
- Nesting birds, moths, butterflies
Red Mulberry Trees
Mulberry berries are colorful and delicious, and mulberry trees are a fast-growing native habitat wonder. “Their canopies provide shade and the berries provide nutrition for species like robins, catbirds, mockingbirds, cedar waxwings and even blue jays,” says Phillips.
Mulberry trees are native to much of the eastern and central U.S. and provide colorful fall foliage. They are also the larval host plant for mourning cloak butterflies. Eat the fruit fresh or turn it into jams and pies (but avoid unripe fruit, which can have low toxicity). The one drawback to this tree is the berries can be messy.
- Needs full sun to part shade; can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, but prefers moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
- Zones: 4 to 8
- Size: 30 to 60 feet tall and wide
- Fruits at four to 10 years old
- Level of care: low-maintenance, resistant to most pests and diseases
- Attracts birds, butterflies
- Don’t confuse with white mulberry, an aggressive imported species.
Citrus Trees
Lemon and lime trees are enjoyable to grow both indoors and outdoors. Neither tolerate cold well, but they can be grown in containers and moved inside during the cool season. A good cold-hardiness lime is the Citrus Bears. “It can produce abundant juicy, seedless fruit year-round with a strong, fresh flavor,” says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed‘s From Seed to Spoon app. For lemons, she recommends the Meyer lemon tree, with especially fragrant blooms and large, rounded fruit.
- Needs southern climate and at least eight hours of full sun a day, plus well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Cold winter temps encourage lime flowering.
- Zones 8 to 11 (depending on variety)
- Size: eight to 12 feet, but can be pruned to maintain any size and shape
- Fruits in three to six years, once mature
- Level of care: moderate, including regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, protection from frost
- Attracts bees and butterflies
Navel Orange Trees
Another great citrus, the Washington navel orange is a semi-dwarf that creates both fragrant blossoms and sweet, seedless fruit with an easy-peel rind. It’s particularly popular in California.
- Needs at least 10 hours of full sun daily and is intolerant of heavy, saturated soils and hot, semi-tropical or dry, desert environments.
- Zones 9 to 11, plant in spring or fall as it doesn’t transplant well in heat
- Size: 10 to 15 feet
- Fruits in three to four years, once mature
- Level of care: moderate, water regularly, prune occasionally and protect from frost
- Attracts bees, butterflies and ladybugs
Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranates grow as compact shrubs, and thus are suitable for smaller gardens or containers. They’re also versatile enough to survive a hard freeze. “They thrive in a wide range of environments, from windy, moist coastal settings to dry deserts,” says Spoonemore. “Punica Crimson Sky is a long-blooming and productive variety. Even if you’re not interested in harvesting fruit, the magnificent flowers make it worth growing.”
- Needs full sun to part shade, tolerates poor soil.
- Zones: 7 to 11
- Size: five to six feet
- Fruits in three to six years, once mature
- Level of care: relatively easy, minimal maintenance
- Attracts bees and butterflies
Cherry Trees
Cherry trees are classic harbingers of spring, with their showy white or pink blossoms. They attract pollinators, are relatively fast-growing and, of course, also bare tasty fruit. “Sweet cherries are larger and ideal for eating fresh, while tart cherries are smaller and better suited for cooking,” says Herms.
- Needs full sun and regions with four distinct seasons (especially a cold winter).
- Zones 4 to 9 (depending on variety)
- Size: dwarf varieties reach 10 feet, standard reach 20 feet
- Fruits in three to four years, once mature
- Level of care: moderately easy; sweet species are more challenging than tart ones
- Short-lived compared to other tree species
Ficus Neverella Fig Trees
Neverella figs, aka Osborne Prolific, make a delicious addition to a garden, plus are unusual for fruit trees as they are drought-tolerant enough to be suitable for water-wise gardens and xeriscapes. “The fruit has a sugary, caramel and honey flavor, that’s nutritious and can be enjoyed fresh, dried, canned or preserved,” says Spoonemoore.
- Needs full sun, prefers cool coastal climates; plant in warm/dry location; grows well in a wide range of soil types.
- Zones 7 to 11
- Size: eight to 10 feet tall, five to six feet wide, as tall shrub or small tree
- Fruits in two to five years, once mature
- Level of care: low-maintenance, drought-tolerant; mulch before winter
- Attracts bees and birds, deer-resistant
Avocado Trees
Today most avocado trees are the Haas variety, which are coveted for their smooth, creamy texture and nutty flavor. “This tree offers healthy treats at your fingertips,” says Spoonemore. “Depending on the zone, it can provide a long harvest season, from spring through fall.”
Avocado trees are heat and humidity tolerant, and do better in tropical environments.
- Needs sunny locations with rich, loose, evenly moist, well-draining soil.
- Zones: 9 to 11
- Size: 25 to 35 feet tall
- Fruits in eight to 15 years, but once established can produce high yields for decades
- Level of care: moderate, water and prune regularly, fertilize just before flower bud break for good fruit production
- Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, pest-resistant
FAQ
Is my yard good for growing fruit?
It depends on the type of fruit tree you want to plant. Choose one that is suited to your growing zone, yard size, available sunlight, soil type and drainage (most fruit trees need good drainage and a neutral pH). Also, consider whether you can keep up with its pruning needs and the time and financial costs associated with maintaining a healthy tree.
“Even if you want to plant something a bit less than ideal for site conditions, you can,” says Glassey. “You just need to remember that the care may be more and it may cost you more over the plant’s life.”
Is it safe to grow fruit in your backyard?
Yes, if you follow proper gardening practices. “Use organic and natural pest and disease management, and avoid using harmful chemicals near your fruit plants,” says Spoonemoore.
Also, always thoroughly wash and inspect fruit before eating it and lean toward pest-resistant species. “By planting some companion flowers nearby, you can encourage more beneficial insects to keep some nuisance pests at bay,” says Glassey.
About the Experts
- Mary Phillips is Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy and Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps habitat gardening programs flourishing with sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge.
- Kathy Glassey is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and plant care expert at Inspire Green. She previously worked at numerous landscaping companies, including Monster Tree Service.
- Carrie Spoonemore is co-creator of Park Seed‘s From Seed to Spoon app, which helps people successfully choose and grow plants suited to their area, find recipes and more. She lives in Oklahoma, where she grows food with her husband and kids, and makes YouTube videos demonstrating gardening techniques from their five-acre homestead.
- Dr. Daniel A. Herms is Vice President of Research and Development at The Davey Tree Expert Company. He has worked and taught in horticulture for more than four decades, and is especially known for his research on plant defense.
Originally Published: April 23, 2020
