3 Stone Fruit Trees That Are Surprisingly Easy to Grow at Home

Sour Cherries

Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) are a perfect option for smaller gardens and are easier to manage than sweet cherries. "Sweet cherries are lovely, but they can be more awkward, and the birds often get there first," says James Foster with Nature Plus Services. "Sour cherries are much more practical for home growers. They are good for cooking, pies, preserves, and sauces, so they’re not always the one people think of first—but they are often the one that actually works."

What makes sour cherry trees lower-maintenance is their ability to tolerate less sun than other stone fruit. "That doesn’t mean it wants to be in deep shade, but it can cope with a more awkward position than a peach or apricot," Foster says. "It can also be trained against a wall or fence, which is handy in a smaller garden and makes picking and netting easier."

Plums

A plum tree (Prunus domestica) has a nice shape and beautiful blossoms, and is extremely productive. "It earns its place even before the fruit turns up," Foster says. "The easy part with plums is that they are fairly forgiving, providing you don’t put them in a cold, wet corner and forget about them."

For a small yard or outdoor space, Foster recommends a self-fertile variety. "Also, check the rootstock, as that matters more than people realize," he says. "The rootstock is what decides whether you end up with a manageable garden tree or something too big for the space."

In its first few years, the main job is establishing the tree properly. "Keep grass and weeds away from the base, mulch it, and water it properly in dry spells," Foster continues. "A bucket of water once every now and then is usually not enough in a dry summer—especially for a young tree."

Nectarines

More challenging than plums and sour cherries, but still relatively beginner-friendly, nectarines (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) are self-fertile, meaning you don't need to worry about cross-pollination to enjoy a productive harvest.

But keep in mind that nectarines are susceptible to insects and fungal diseases because they lack a protective layer of fuzzy skin. To ensure healthy, delicious fruits, Heather Kirk-Ballard, extension specialist in sustainable urban landscapes at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says regular pruning and spray schedules are important.