From Hersford Garden and Nursery comes a guide to cultivating fruit trees, one of the most rewarding types of trees. Fruit trees not only enhance the beauty of your landscape but also produce delicious fruit for fresh consumption or for use in jams and pies. However, many fruit tree varieties require warm temperatures to mature and bear fruit.
While colder climates present challenges for growing fruit trees, there are some varieties that thrive in these conditions. Fruit tree experts have curated a selection of cold-hardy and delicious fruit tree options that can be successfully grown in cold climates. Before planting, it is important to check your USDA hardiness zone to determine which fruit trees are best suited for your region.
Meet the Experts:
– David Fried, grower and owner of Elmore Roots, a fruit tree nursery in Vermont
– Garrett Sorber, co-owner of Radical Roots Nursery, a fruit and flower nursery in Maine
Hazen Apple Tree:
The Hazen apple tree, developed in North Dakota for cold climates, is an annual producer that bears fruit early in its life. This deciduous, semi-dwarf tree features forest green leaves turning yellow in the fall, with showy clusters of white flowers in the spring. David Fried recommends planting this tree in full sun for optimal flavor and color. To ensure successful pollination, it is essential to plant a different apple tree variety nearby.
Zones: 3 to 5
Size: 8 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Bali Cherry Tree:
The Bali cherry tree produces delicious, tart red cherries in early July. Its fruit has a taste reminiscent of cherry pie without added sugar. This tree features smooth, dark red bark and dark green leaves. The cherries can be enjoyed fresh for a tart flavor or frozen for use in pies and sauces.
Zones: 3 to 5
Size: 10 to 12 feet tall x 10 to 12 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Mulberry Tree:
The mulberry tree is a cold-hardy species that bears a large quantity of fruit and is self-pollinating. The fruit, enjoyed by songbirds, resembles blackberries but without seeds or thorns. The mulberry tree’s fruit can be eaten fresh, used in sauces or jams, or dried like raisins. Its dark green leaves, tan twigs, and golden bark add character to any landscape, thriving in full sun or partial shade.
Zones: 3 to 6
Size: 10 to 50 feet tall x 10 to 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Nova Pear Tree:
Discovered in a frigid climate north of the Adirondack Mountains, the Nova pear tree is disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and self-fertile. Unlike other pear trees, it does
The apricot tree can grow to heights of 15 to 20 feet, but it can be pruned to keep it shorter, according to Fried. It thrives in Zones 3 to 5 and requires full sun and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. This tree adds beauty to any landscape with its abundant blossoms in the spring that fill the air with a sweet fragrance. The white petals and pink sepals attract early pollinators, while the vibrant red new growth contrasts beautifully with the older wood. To ensure optimal fruit production, it’s important to thin the fruit when it reaches the size of a thumb, leading to larger fruit, annual bearing, and disease prevention. Apricots from this tree are perfect for fresh eating, preserves, jams, fruit leather, and drying.
For successful growth, the apricot tree should be planted on suitable rootstock for the specific soil type. It is often overlooked in colder climates, but with proper care, it can thrive. Some varieties are developed for Zone 10, while most cultivated types range between 12 and 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
The Alderman plum tree, originating from Minnesota, is disease-resistant and can bear fruit in its first year, tolerating extreme cold. Its oval-shaped leaves are a vibrant green, and it produces fragrant white to pale pink flowers in spring, followed by red, juicy fruit. This tree is ideal for smaller yards as it doesn’t grow very tall and offers plums that are delicious fresh, in sauces, jams, or dried like apricots. Pollination requires additional Japanese-American plum varieties.
The pie cherry tree is perfect for making pies and is cold-hardy, suitable for limited outdoor spaces. Its fragrant blossoms attract pollinators, and little fruit thinning is needed. This tree matures early in spring, and its bright red fruit contrasts beautifully with the green leaves. While the tree encounters few diseases, providing good airflow resolves most issues. One downside is sharing the fruit with birds unless protected with bird netting. The fruit is excellent for baking, canning, drying, and eating fresh.
