6 Fruit Trees That Can Produce Delicious Harvests in Their First Year

Mulberry

The actual berries on a mulberry tree (Morus) look a lot like blackberries, and their flavor has been described as similar yet distinct. Mulberry trees themselves are easy to grow and adaptable.

"They're one of my favorite fast-producing options, especially native red mulberries (Morus rubra)," says certified arborist Susan Poizner. "In my community orchard, we grow native mulberries because they’re incredibly resilient, adaptable, and productive."

She recommends planning ahead when choosing a placement for a young mulberry tree. "Because they grow vigorously, it’s smart to give them enough room," she says. "Think carefully about mature size and where the fruit will fall. If space is limited, you can prune them regularly and keep them more shrub-sized."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 30 to 60 feet tall, but can be pruned smaller
• Care requirements: Full sun for best fruiting, very tolerant of soil conditions

Fig

Speed is the name of the game when it comes to growing a fig tree. In many cases, you can begin harvesting fruit from Ficus carica in the first year or two after planting. It's a lovely, quick-growing option for gardeners in warm climates with limited space.

• Zones: 7 to 10
• Size: Up to 10 feet tall
• Care requirements: Well-drained soil that is consistently moist

Sweet Cherry

If you've ever seen wild cherry trees growing along forest edges, you may already be familiar with how quickly they grow. The same holds for domesticated cherries, too.

"I find sweet cherries (Prunusavium) are surprisingly vigorous and relatively quick to bear," says Poizner.

• Zones: 5 to 8
• Size: About 20 feet tall (for a standard rootstock)
• Care requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil

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Montmorency Cherry

Sour cherries can grow quickly, too, and the Montmorency cherry (Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency') is a great example. Don't be fooled by their classification; these fast-growing cherries might be tastier than you expect.

"Actually, I find them sweet and tasty to eat right off the tree," says arborist Doug Still.

• Zones: 4 to 7
• Size: About 20 feet tall 
• Care requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil

Papaya

In warm climates, a papaya plant (Carica papaya) can grow rapidly into a tree-like stature in a single season and produce fruit that same year. They're easy to grow and provide lovely tropical fruits.

• Zones: 9 to 11
• Size: Up to 30 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun, sandy loam

Dwarf Apple

A full-sized standard apple (Malus) tree can reach an impressive size, but a dwarf apple tree not only stays at a manageable size, but it also produces fruit more quickly than its standard-sized counterpart.

"I would absolutely recommend dwarf fruit trees for smaller gardens, patios, or urban yards, and they generally begin fruiting sooner than full-sized trees," says Poizner.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: Up to 12 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun, regular watering