4 Low-Cost Fruit Trees That Deliver Big Harvests—Plus, Tips to Save When Shopping

Growing fruit trees can be a wonderful long-term project for you and your family. However, this worthwhile endeavor isn't without expense, and the initial cost is certainly something to consider. Fortunately, some fruit tree varieties are more inexpensive than others, and there are some cost-saving tips when it comes to selecting the best trees, too. We reached out to experts for their guidance on low-cost fruit trees.

Fruit Tree Varieties That Are Less Expensive

"If you want something productive without spending a lot, there are some great options that stay affordable and still give you fruit fast," says tropical plant expert Tatiana Anderson. "Many of these can be found in the $30 to $40 range for a good, ready-to-fruit size—and they work well in small spaces or containers."

She suggests the following:

Dragon Fruit

A climbing cactus native to Central America, dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus) is a tasty and healthy choice. It will climb a trellis, but you can also train it to grow up a central post and let the branches and fruit hang down.

"It's of the easiest and most rewarding plants for the price," says Anderson. "It grows fast, takes very little space vertically, and can start producing quickly with minimal care."

Bunchosia

Another good option for growers in warm climates, bunchosia trees produce small orange berries that some say have a flavor reminiscent of peanut butter. They can grow to be over 20 feet tall, but you can keep them pruned shorter than that for convenience.

"It's a fun, unusual fruit that surprises people," says Anderson. "It stays compact, fruits early, and has a unique flavor that makes it memorable."

Blackberry Jam Fruit

If yard space is a concern—or even if you have no yard space available—then a small, fruiting shrub that grows like a tree but stays under 6 feet tall could be just the thing. The blackberry jam tree (Randia formosa) fits this scenario.

"[It's a] small shrub, very manageable, and fruits early," says Anderson. "What makes it special is the flavor—sweet with a hint of blackberry jam and easy to grow in a pot." Specimens in containers can be pruned to just 3 feet tall if needed. 

Eugenias

There's plenty of variety in the Eugenia genus of fruiting trees and shrubs.

"[It's] probably the best value group overall," says Anderson. "Tough, adaptable, easy to shape, and many varieties fruit young. They can be grown as shrubs, hedges, or small trees, which makes them very versatile."

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How to Source Fruit Trees on a Budget

Choosing an affordable variety will help you save money, but there are other tips and tricks to keep in mind when shopping for fruit trees, too.

Consider Bare-Root Options

Forego that big, bold, leafed-out specimen in a 30-gallon pot and instead focus initially on trees with a more modest start. Gardening author Christy Wilhelmi suggests starting with bare-root trees, which are less expensive.

"They ship dormant without soil from the nursery and arrive in a box that you can either plant upon arrival or heel in until the ground thaws," she says.

These trees should leaf out in spring and are usually productive in their first year. "There are so many more varieties available as bare-root than the regular options at local nurseries," she adds. "I love them because you can start small and keep them small in gardens that don't have room for full-sized trees."

Consider Dwarf or Semi-Dwarf Trees

It's natural to assume that full-sized trees are the best option, but consider other possibilities, too.

"Unless you have a large property, standard-sized trees are not compatible with most small-space gardens," says Wilhelmi.

She says people sometimes choose large, mature trees because of impatience, but larger trees are more expensive and cost a lot more to install. "I start with the smallest tree I can find, not only so I can train it, but so it spends its time developing roots in the ground, not in the nursery pot," she adds.  

Purchase Out of Season

Timing your purchases can help you save money, too. You might see nurseries offering fruit tree sales in the spring when everyone is looking to plant. However, you might find even better deals and choices in the fall, when a nursery might be eager to sell off trees that have lingered all year.

If you're fast and able to get your trees in the ground safely before winter (with a bit of time for them to settle in after transplanting), then you can get great new trees at a discount in the fall. 

Propagate Your Own Trees

If you have an older heirloom fruit tree that isn't a cultivar protected by a patent, then you might be able to propagate new trees via grafting, cuttings, or budding.