6 Fruit Trees That Are Surprisingly Hard to Grow at Home

PawPaw

The pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) is native to North America and produces tropical-tasting fruit described as a mix of banana, mango, and vanilla. Despite being a native plant, pawpaw trees present a unique set of challenges for home gardeners. "It requires precise conditions during establishment and active pollination management," says Eric North, ISA-certified arborist at Arbor Day Foundation.

Pawpaws require cross-pollination from another tree. "Natural pollinators, including carrion beetles and flies, aren't always reliable, and fruit set can be low," he says. To increase the odds of your tree producing fruit, North recommends hand-pollinating the flowers with a small paintbrush to transfer pollen from one tree to another.

These trees are also difficult to transplant, so always start with the smallest tree available and plant it in moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil.

Wild Plum

American red plum (Prunus americana), also known as wild plum, is native to the eastern and midwestern U.S., and is adaptable to various soil types as long as the pH is less than 7.5. While you may have an easy time getting it established, keeping it in check in another story. "Wild plum is an apt name, as they can be difficult to keep contained," says North. "The trees naturally sprout via root suckers and can quickly form a dense thicket, making harvesting the fruit difficult. Keep the area around the tree well-maintained to reduce the tendency of thicket formation."

Plum trees can also face several environmental stressors. "They’re vulnerable to pests like scale insects, aphids, mites, and Japanese beetles—many of which can be managed with early‑season horticultural oils or targeted treatments," says Erik Lindberg, ISA-certified arborist at SavATree. "Diseases such as black knot, plum pox virus, brown rot, and plum rust mites can damage branches, fruit, and foliage, making quick action important." Pruning after flowering can reduce disease pressure.

Sweet Cherry

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is somewhat picky about its growing conditions. It needs consistent water in the spring, but doesn't like overly wet conditions, and the soil needs to be loamy, slightly acidic, and well-draining. "Sweet cherry also needs winter temperatures below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 700 to 1,000 hours to grow properly," North adds.

Like pawpaw, sweet cherry trees can be difficult to pollinate. "Sweet cherries cannot self-pollinate; they need a compatible cherry nearby for pollination. You’ll need to plant different cherry varieties nearby or rely on neighboring trees for successful pollination," North says.

As members of the rose family, cherries are disease-prone, often suffering from minor leaf issues to serious bacterial diseases and root rot. "Maintaining the right amount of moisture and reducing stress can help manage diseases," North says. "Keep a close eye on trees for signs of disease and work with ISA-certified arborists to diagnosis and treat diseases if needed."

Apple

Apples (Malus domestica) grown for their fruit are typically native to Asia and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. While gardeners can successfully grow apple trees, they are susceptible to a host of diseases and pests that can be difficult to control, including apple scab and rust, as well as aphids, mites, and apple maggot.

"Early‑season fungicide applications, horticultural oils to smother scale insects, and routine pruning of dead or diseased branches help keep problems in check," says Lindberg. "Removing fallen leaves, dried fruit, and debris reduces disease pressure, while targeted fruit‑tree treatment programs can support optimal health and yield."

Apples are another fruit-producing tree that doesn't self-pollinate. "You need to plant two different apple varieties for pollination to take place," says North. "If you plant two trees of the same variety, pollination will not occur. Planting a crabapple with an apple will aid in pollination."

Peach

Peach trees (Prunus persica) are beloved for their spring blooms and juicy summer fruit, but Lindberg says they can be one of the most demanding fruit trees for homeowners. " They need to be matched carefully to the growing region, since peach varieties have different chill-hour requirements and can be damaged by late frosts if they bloom too early," he says.

These trees are also vulnerable to pests and diseases, including leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial spot, borers, scale, aphids, mites, and Japanese beetles. "Because of these challenges, peach trees often require more hands-on care than homeowners expect, including monitoring, sanitation, pruning, and timely treatments to protect both tree health and fruit quality."

Success depends on providing optimal growing conditions and choosing the right cultivar for your climate. "Cultivars such as Frost, Indian Free, Muir, and Salish Summer are known for resistance or partial resistance to peach leaf curl, while other varieties may be more susceptible," Lindberg adds.

Orange

Orange trees (Citrus x sinensis) can be productive in the correct climates, requiring full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and protection from cold snaps to thrive. However, they can be challenging for homeowners in certain climates, as citrus trees are sensitive to cold temperatures and disease pressure.

"Region is especially important with orange trees. A tree that thrives in Florida, coastal California, or another warm citrus-growing area may struggle in colder inland climates," says Lindberg. "In freeze-prone areas, homeowners may need to grow citrus in containers and overwinter them indoors or consider more cold-hardy citrus types instead of traditional sweet oranges."

Like the other trees on this list, orange trees face their fair share of pressure from diseases and pests. "Orange trees are vulnerable to pests, such as scale insects, aphids, mites, whiteflies, and citrus leafminer," says Lindberg, adding that they can also be affected by diseases that cause leaf yellowing, fruit drop, branch decline, or reduced vigor.