8 Fruit Trees You Can Grow Almost Anywhere for Easy, Delicious Harvests

Pawpaw Tree

Though pawpaws need about three to five years to yield fruit, they are versatile in terms of specific placement in a yard or garden.

“I have seen pawpaws grow in the wild in the Adirondack mountains where I go hiking,” says Preethi Radhakrishnan, a biology professor and the director of the environmental science program at LaGuardia Community College. “They just need good draining soil.” 

Pawpaws are hardy because they've adapted to temperate climates and require a period of dormancy, so they're able to withstand cold winters. They're also relatively resistant to pests and diseases. 

“Pawpaws can grow in soils that are slightly alkaline and adjacent to other fruiting trees or native plants, which brings in pollinators. This will get you a better harvest of fruit,” Radhakrishnan says. “But it’s important to plant trees in a spot where water will not pool.”

• Growing Zones: 4 through 9
• Size: 18 to 25 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial sunlight the first one to two years, then full sun; deep, fertile, slightly acidic soil; deep watering as needed throughout the first year 
  

Desert King Fig Tree

Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping, has seen fig trees thriving among stone walls in ancient Mediterranean towns in France and Italy.

“Figs are tolerant of high heat, poor soils, and low water areas, just like their native Mediterranean environment,” he says. However, “Like most fruit trees, they don't like areas that are soaked with water, and would prefer dryer soils.” 

Dilmore recommends tough fig varieties such as the Desert King. “This is a great variety if you live in a climate with cooler summers,” he says.

• Growing Zones: 7b and higher
• Size: 15 to 20 feet
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained, loamy soil; consistent watering, especially during the growing season
  

Liberty Apple Tree

Dwarf apple trees are ideal because they fit into smaller yards, says Mark Canney, director of landscape and horticulture at Arbor Day Farm. While the tree is much smaller, the fruit remains the same size as standard apples. 

“There are several disease-resistant varieties, but the dwarf Liberty—while not as well known—is very disease resistant and ideal for those seeking a low spray, or an organic approach.” 

• Growing Zones: 4 to 7
• Size: 6 to 11 feet tall and wide
• Growing conditions: Full sunlight; loamy, well-drained soil; deep watering the first year
  

Harvey Lemon Tree

The Harvey lemon tree stands out as a top choice among fruit trees for Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery.

It effortlessly integrates into both structured landscapes and easy-going backyard orchards. It surpasses most lemon varieties in cold resistance and thrives across various soil types—provided they maintain proper drainage. 

“The Harvey lemon tree produces the best results when planted in full sun areas because it absorbs ample warmth to produce abundant harvests,” she says. “This tree performs best in coastal locations and inland zones with warm climates because the air maintains adequate moisture levels."

• Growing Zones: 8 to 11
• Size: 10 to 15 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Up to eight hours of full sunlight; sandy or loamy, well-drained soil; deep and regular watering the first two years

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Dwarf Santa Rosa Plum Tree

Compact and resilient, plum trees will work in varied zones depending on the cultivar or variety. Some are self-fertilizing, but a second tree often boosts fruit production.

“Living 15 to 20 years with good care, dwarf plum trees are perfect for small backyards, side yards, or patios,” says Canney. “The dwarf Santa Rosa is self-fertile, sweet but tart, and juicy. Known for its flavor, it has beautiful, pink-white blossoms in the spring.” 

• Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: Up to 12 feet tall 
• Growing conditions: At least six hours of full sun; loamy, well-drained soil; heavy watering the first year
  

Wonderful Pomegranate

Pomegranates are tolerant of heat and drought conditions, according to Dilmore, and can be grown as a shrub or small tree—and tolerate many different forms of pruning or shaping.

However, they are not tolerant of heavy frosts, he says. “Wonderful is a variety that does not get the classic cracking or splitting pomegranate fruit, and also has a strong disease resistance.”

• Growing Zones: 7 to 10
• Size: 10 to 12 feet tall 
• Growing conditions: Full sunlight; deep, loamy soil; consistent moisture through drip irrigation is preferred
  

Persimmon Tree

If your interest is in native trees, then Canney recommends the persimmon, as they are extremely hardy once established, and they're not particular about soil types.

“They're also drought tolerant and produce delicious, ornamental fruit with a honey-like flavor,” he says. 

• Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 15 to 17 feet tall
• Growing conditions: At least eight hours of sunlight; well-drained, moderately rich soil; deep watering once or twice per week
  

Montmorency Cherry Tree

Sour cherries are a hardy and self-pollinating variety, which makes them an excellent choice for residential settings, says Canney.

The dwarf varieties will fit into small yards. “Popular varieties include Montmorency, which is not only extremely hardy but the classic pie cherry,” he says. 

• Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 12 to 18 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Full sunlight; acidic, well-drained soil; deep waterings