17 Popular Fruit Bearing Trees That Are Easy To Grow

One of the best ways to form an edible garden is to begin with some plans that include fruit bearing trees. No matter what climate you live in, you will find that you can grow garden fruit trees of one sort or another. Grafting fruit trees of one sort onto the root-stock of another allows gardeners to grow trees perfectly suited to the conditions where they live. Small and large gardens will all be enhanced with the addition of fruit bearing plants and fruit trees, its just about choosing the right varieties.

Here we have prepared a list of the most popular fruit bearing trees.

1- Apple

The first one that comes in our list is a apple tree that is a common option for gardeners in a range of cooler, temperate climates. Apple trees require fertile soil that is moist, neither waterlogged nor free draining. The topsoil should ideally be at least two feet deep. Dwarf varieties can be grown and the potential for training against a wall means that they can suit even small spaces. Dessert apples need full sun, ideally, while cooking apples can cope with less sun. Plant apple trees in the dormant season, mulch and water well. Apple trees (depending on variety) fruit within a few years. 

Apple trees produce fragrant white blooms in the early spring. These small blooms are attractive to pollinators and provide them with a spring meal of pollen.

Health Benefits: In addition to being beautiful, fragrant, and feeding pollinators, the apples are nutritious and loaded with health benefits. Apples are low in sugar, low in calories and high in fiber. They help reduce blood pressure, reduce blood sugar level, promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, and aid in weight loss.

2- Plum Trees 

Ideal Growing Conditions: Plum trees are also a good option for cooler temperate climates. These fruit bearing trees can fruit abundantly in fertile soil when well mulched and watered, though should never be allowed to become waterlogged. Some varieties can be grown in containers, while others will grow much larger. You must check whether the plum you buy is self-fertile as sometimes you will need more than one plum tree to get fruits.

Cleaning Air: Growing fresh fruits helps reduce the amount of air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels during shipping. Help keep the air clean and enjoy these other benefits growing a plum tree will provide.

Health Benefits: Plums are rich in antioxidants and help promote digestive health. This fruit will naturally relieve constipation, lower blood sugar, strengthen bones, and promote heart health.

3- Coconuts Tree

Coconuts are a popular fruit that is we often used in cooking, but did you know that they come from a tree? Coconut trees (Cocos nucifera) are tall, slender palms that can grow up to 18-25m (60-80ft) in height. The leaves of the coconut tree are long and frond-like, and the trunk is covered in a brown, fibrous bark.

Characteristics: Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut tree and are large, round, and tan in color. The outer shell of the coconut is hard and fibrous, and the inner flesh is white and meaty. Coconuts contain a large amount of water and can also be used to produce milk and oil. The flesh of the coconut is often used in desserts, while the water is a refreshing drink.

Health Benefits: On top of being one of the easiest fruit to grow, coconut is a good source of fiber and contains vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Coconut oil is also known for its health benefits and can be used to improve skin and hair health. Coconut water is a low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks and is often used as a sports drink.

Fruiting Season: Coconut trees can bear fruit all year round, but the peak season is from September to December. They start bearing fruit when they are about 4-6 years old.

Ideal Growing Conditions: This fruit bearing tree grows best in sandy, well-drained soils and requires full sun exposure. It is also tolerant of salt spray, making them a good choice for coastal areas. Coconut trees need a lot of water and prefer to grow in humid, tropical climates.

4- Almond Tree

The almond is a nut that comes from the almond tree (Prunus dulcis). The tree is small to medium in size (5-10m or 16-33ft) and has a slender trunk with smooth, gray bark. The leaves of the almond tree are dark green and lance-shaped. The flowers are white or pink in color and bloom in the springtime.

Almonds are the fruit of the almond tree and are oval. They have a hard outer shell that encloses the edible inner kernel. Almonds are a popular ingredient in baked goods and are also used to make almond milk and oil. The flavor of almonds can be described as sweet, nutty, and creamy.

Health Benefits: Almonds are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamin E. They are also a good source of antioxidants and have been linked to several health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Fruiting Season: The almond tree blooms in the springtime and the fruits are mature and ready to harvest in the summer time. The tree starts bearing fruit when it is 4-5 years old but can bear fruits for up to 25 years.

Ideal Growing Conditions: Almond trees prefer to grow in sunny, dry climates with well-drained soils. They are also tolerant of drought and cold weather. Almond trees need to be pruned regularly to produce a good crop of nuts.

You may also like to check out low light indoor trees.

5- Grapefruit

The grapefruit is a citrus fruit that comes from the grapefruit tree (Citrus x paradise). The tree is medium to large in size (5-15m or 16-50ft) and has a stout trunk with thick, dark bark. The leaves of the grapefruit tree are dark green and oval-shaped. The flowers are white or pink in color and bloom in the springtime.

Grapefruits are the fruit of the grapefruit tree and are large and round. They have a thick, yellow or pink skin that encloses the edible, inner flesh. Grapefruits are a popular breakfast fruit and can also be used in salads, desserts, and juices. The flavor of grapefruits is tart and acidic.

Health Benefits: Grapefruits are a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They are also a good source of antioxidants and have been linked to several health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Fruiting Season: The grapefruit tree blooms in the springtime and the fruits are mature and ready to harvest in the wintertime. The tree starts bearing fruit when it is 3-5 years old.

Ideal Growing Conditions: Grapefruit trees prefer to grow in sunny, humid climates with well-drained soils. They are also tolerant of drought and cold weather.

Wrapping Up: Trees that bear fruit are a great addition to any garden or landscape. As we know they provide shade, fruit, and beauty all in one package. We suggest when choosing a fruit tree for your home, be sure to consider the tree’s size, shape, and growing requirements. Research on how to grow fruit trees of your choice, and leave nothing to chance. With proper care and attention, your fruit trees will thrive and provide you with abundant fresh fruit for many years to come.

6- Damson

Fruitening: Another member of the plum family, with similar needs is the damson. This is one of the best garden fruit bearing trees for those who like to make jams, jellies and other preserves. Damsons are usually self-fertile though may fruit better with a companion. One established, these adaptable trees usually require little care.

Health Benefits: These delicious fruit trees resemble plums and are easy to grow in your backyard. Plant a few Damson trees and enjoy these health benefits the fruits offer: They improve digestive health with their high fiber content. Damsons keep the digestive tract running smoothly and this will help reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and prevent colon cancer. You may also like to check out different types of pine trees.

7- Cherry

Cherry trees are another option that come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They can be grown as free standing trees or trained against a wall. Sweet cherries sometimes need a companion for fertilization and require full sun, while bitter cherries are usually self-fertile and can tolerate some shade. Cherry trees are prized for their blossoms as well as their fruits.

Fragrant blooms that attract pollinators and a reduction in home energy usage are provided by Cherry trees.

Cherries contain melatonin that will help improve sleep, they contain anti-aging properties, lower high blood pressure, improve heart health, and increase energy level.

8- Pear 

Pear trees can be great trees to plant. Pear trees will do well in sheltered and sunny spots that are not prone to frost and do well as individual specimen trees or as part of a forest garden. Depending on the variety, the tree you plant as a sapling in the dormant season will fruit within a few years and can continue to fruit reliably, in the right conditions, for many years.

Pears are highly nutritious and come in many varieties that all have slightly different tastes and textures.

Health benefits of pears include; anti-inflammatory compounds, anti-cancer effects, improved gut health, improved heart health, and the fruits aids in weight loss.

9- Elder

Elders are unfussy fruit bearing trees that will often colonise woodland edges and are found in the wild as well as in gardens. This extremely fast growing fruit tree provides both flowers and berries for jellies, cordials and fruit wines. They can do well in a range of conditions, from full sun and excellent loamy soil through to a free-draining chalky soil and a degree of shade.

Elderberries are prized for the benefits of reducing cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that boost the immune system. The berries also reduce inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart.

10- Peach

Peach trees will need protection from frost in cooler climes but will do well in a sunny, sheltered spot and can be grown in containers which would allow them to be brought inside in the winter. Containers should be at least 45cm wide and you should make sure you have a dwarf fruit tree variety. In slightly warmer climates, peaches do well trained against a wall. Hand pollination may be necessary for fruit to form.

Peaches are sweet, juicy fruits that are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Peaches improve heart health, improve digestion, reduce allergy symptoms, and help prevent certain types of cancer.

11- Apricot

Apricots fruit bearing trees do best in soil which is moisture retentive, well-drained and slightly alkaline. They will struggle in colder areas and in shallow, infertile soils. In the right conditions, however, they can be grown in the ground or in containers, which, as with peaches, can allow them to be grown where the season in shorter and temperatures lower. Again, hand pollination may be necessary for successful fruit formation.

Apricots look like small peaches and offer a wide range of health benefits. Apricots promote eye health, skin health, protect the liver, and help keep you hydrated.

12- Fig

Fig trees also need warmth and plenty of sunlight. In colder climes, some fig varieties can be grown in containers to be brought inside in the colder months if you do not have a frost-free and warm, sheltered spot in your garden.

Figs are high in minerals and fiber. These fruits help promote good digestion and contain a wide range of vitamins that promote overall good health.

13- Orange

This citrus fruit bearing tree is mostly grown in warmer climes, though it can be grown in a heated greenhouse or indoors in cooler climates. If you have a warm climate, an orange tree can be an exciting addition to your fruit garden or orchard. Watering and fertilisation will depend on the exact conditions where you live, as will when the trees will fruit.

Reduce your risk of heart disease and kidney stones by eating these citrus fruits. Oranges are also high in vitamin C that will boost the immune system and enable you to fend off colds and flu.

14- Lemon

Like oranges, lemons grow in full sun in a warmer climate. You will need to bring them indoors to have success in colder regions. However, many varieties are well suited to growing in containers and dwarf varieties are good for smaller spaces.

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Lemons will help build and maintain strong bones, promote heart health, and protect against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

15- Pomegranate

Pomegranate fruit bearing trees can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius and are beautiful trees for a warm climate garden, with large, red flowers in the spring. When to plant fruit trees depends on where you live but pomegranates are best planted when the soil has warmed up in the spring.

Pomegranates offer a long list of health benefits and they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This fruit helps you breathe easier, thins the blood, fights against heart disease, prevent arthritis, and protects against free radical damage.

16- Rambutan

Rambutan is a fruit bearing tree that is native to Malaysia. The tree can grow up to 15-25 m (50 to 80 ft.) in height, and the leaves are dark green and glossy.

The Rambutan fruit is red or yellow and has a hairy, spiky exterior. Rambutans are approximately the size of a golf ball and have a sweet, slightly acidic flavor. The fruit’s flesh is white or pink and contains one large seed. Rambutans are typically eaten fresh, but they can also be used in jams, jellies, and other preserves.

Health Benefits: In addition to being eaten as a fruit, rambutans are also used in traditional medicine. The leaves and roots of the rambutan tree are believed to have medicinal properties and are often used to treat stomach aches, diarrhea, and other ailments. Rambutans are an excellent source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to any diet. Thanks to their exotic appearance and delicious taste, rambutans are becoming increasingly popular worldwide.

Fruiting Season: The Rambutan tree starts to bear fruit in its 3-5th year after planting. The Fruiting season of this fruit bearing tree is from May to August.

Ideal Growing Conditions:Rambutans prefer to grow in humid, tropical climates with plenty of rainfall. They will not tolerate prolonged periods of drought and require a well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Rambutans also need full sun exposure and protection from strong winds.

17- Nectarine

Another fruit bearing tree is the nectarine, closely related to the peach, plum, and cherry trees. Nectarines are small to medium in size (3-7m or 10-25ft) and have a short trunk with smooth, gray bark. The leaves of the nectarine tree are dark green and oval-shaped. The flowers are white or pink in color and bloom in the springtime.

Nectarines are the fruit of the nectarine tree and are small to medium in size. They have a smooth, fuzzy skin that is red, yellow, or white in color. The flesh of the nectarine is sweet and juicy with a slightly tart flavor. Nectarines can be eaten fresh or used in desserts, jams, and sauces.

Health Benefits: Nectarines are a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They are also a good source of antioxidants and have been linked to several health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Fruiting Season: The nectarine tree blooms in the springtime and the fruits are mature and ready to harvest in the summertime. The tree starts bearing fruit when it is 4-5 years old.

Ideal Growing Conditions: Nectarine trees prefer to grow in sunny, dry climates with well-drained soils. They are also tolerant of drought and cold weather. years

Expert Advice on Best Time for Planting Fruit Trees

Virginia Cooperative Extension expert offers advice on planting a fruit tree in this guide at news.vt.edu. According to Jon Vest, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Floyd County, Virginia “The spring planting window, usually mid-March through the end of May, provides young fruit trees with the best opportunity to receive regular rain showers and much-needed water after transplanting“

Final Thoughts

Healthy life needs a good balance of diet including fruits and vegetables. As we all know many of the fruit trees are rich in nutritious value so why not pick and grow one of these in our landscape that receives a lot of sunlight and enjoys the fresh fruit year around!

References:

The Guardian-Enviroment, Published 02 January 2024, “Country diary: Every fruit-bearing tree needs a friend”, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/02/country-diary-every-fruit-bearing-tree-needs-a-friend

University of Connecticut, fact sheets, “Fruit Trees that Fail to Bear”, https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/fruit-trees-that-fail-to-bear/

Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 July 2021, “Modeling of Individual Fruit-Bearing Capacity of Trees Is Aimed at Optimizing Fruit Quality of Malus x domestica Borkh. ‘Gala’”, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.669909/full

Research Gate, published July 2017, World Journal Of Pharmaceutical Research, DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20177-8724, By Mathias Tawiah Anim, “Pharmacological Importance Of Some Fruit Bearing Trees On Princefield University College, Emerald Campus, Ho, Ghana.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318251982_PHARMACOLOGICAL_IMPORTANCE_OF_SOME_FRUIT_BEARING_TREES_ON_PRINCEFIELD_UNIVERSITY_COLLEGE_EMERALD_CAMPUS_HO_GHANA