Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees: Top 7 Recommendations by Fruit Cultivators
Fruit Trees for Frosty Climates: A Grower's Guide
Ready to transform your frosty yard into a lush, fruit-filled paradise? We've got you covered! From crisp apples to tart cherries, we've rounded up ten incredibly tasty fruit trees that delight in the cold.
To make sure your fruit-growing venture is a success, start by checking your USDA hardiness zone. Knowing where you stand will help you select the best trees for your region.
Let's dive into our top picks for cold-loving fruit trees. Check 'em out and prepare for a bountiful harvest!
10 Incredible Fruit Trees for Cold Climates
1. Hazen Apple Tree
This apple tree—bred for colder climes—starts producing fruit early in life and thrives in Vermont. The tree sports forest green leaves that change to golden hues in fall, and it's known for blooming with striking white flowers with a pink tint in spring. You can expect juicy, dark red apples all year long thanks to its naturally compact size. Grow the Hazen apple tree in a sun-soaked spot for optimal taste and color. Remember to plant another apple tree nearby for cross-pollination.
- USDA Zones: 3-5
- Size: 8 feet tall x 10-15 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
2. Bali Cherry Tree
Bali cherry trees yield a generous crop of mouthwatering, tart red cherries in early July. The tree distinguishes itself with smooth, dark red bark and intense green leaves. This cherry tree makes an excellent choice if you're partial to tangy flavors, or you can use the fruits to create pies and sauces.
- USDA Zones: 3-5
- Size: 10-12 feet tall x 10-12 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
3. Mulberry Tree
Mulberry trees are a cold-hardy favorite, producing large quantities of blackberry-like fruit. This self-pollinating tree is also a hit with songbirds, who can't resist its drooping clusters of berries. Mulberries aren't just delicious fresh; they're also excellent for making sauces, jams, and dried fruits similar to raisins. The tree's dark green leaves, contrasting tan twigs, and golden bark make it a beautiful addition to any landscape. Dwarf varieties are ideal for limited space, reaching 8-10 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide.
- USDA Zones: 3-6
- Size: 10-50 feet tall x 10-40 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
4. Nova Pear Tree
The hardy Nova pear tree, discovered in the icy Adirondack Mountains, has a reputation for being disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and self-fertile. Unlike other pear trees that require two different varieties to bear fruit, the Nova variety doesn't need a companion. It produces large, round, juicy yellow pears with a silky texture. Enjoy the beautiful white blossoms in spring and the spreading growth habit as it ascends to 15-20 feet tall. Pruning can help manage the tree's size.
- USDA Zones: 3-5
- Size: 15-20 feet tall x up to 20 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
5. Apricot Tree
This tree is a sight to behold, adorned with fragrant white blossoms and vibrant red new growth in spring. Its sweet, aromatic blossoms attract pollinators, serving as an essential source of food. Once the petals have fallen, apricots favored by many growers unfold. Apricots can be enjoyed fresh, made into preserves and jams, transformed into fruit leather, and dried. Did we mention apricots are often underutilized in colder climates but can thrive there with the right rootstock?
- USDA Zones: 4-9 (some varieties developed for Zone 10)
- Size: Up to 25 feet tall x 25 feet wide (most cultivated varieties will be between 12 and 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide)
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, sandier the better
6. Alderman Plum Tree
Hailing from Minnesota, this cold-hardy, disease-resistant tree can produce fruit in its first year. The tree's oval-shaped leaves are a vibrant forest green, while the delicate white to pale pink flowers decorate the tree in the spring. After flowering comes the ripe, juicy red plums, ready for fresh eating, making sauce or jam, or drying similar to an apricot. You'll need another variety of Japanese-American plum trees for successful pollination.
- USDA Zones: 3-5
- Size: 10 feet tall x 15 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter; plant in a low-wind location
7. Pie Cherry Tree
This pint-sized tree is perfect for fans of pies who live in small spaces. It produces vibrant red cherries with little fruit thinning required and early maturing capabilities. Beautiful white flowers attract pollinators in the spring. Although blackbirds may get their share, the remaining fruit is excellent for baking pies, canning, drying, and eating fresh.
- USDA Zones: 4-7
- Size: 12 feet tall x 5-10 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Enrich your fruit-growing experience by studying fruit trees suited to your USDA hardiness zone and discussing tree options with local farmers and nurseries. A little research goes a long way toward ensuring a bountiful harvest every year! 🍎🍐🍅🍌🍒 Jakin' yo' garden game to a new level!
- Martha Stewart recommends the Hazen apple tree for landscaping in frosty climates, particularly in USDA zones 3-5, due to its early production of dark red apples and compact size.
- Bali cherry trees, also suitable for USDA zones 3-5, offer tart red cherries and make an excellent choice for those who appreciate tangy flavors.
- Mulberry trees are renowned for their cold-hardiness, producing blackberry-like fruit and making a beautiful addition to any landscape, especially in USDA zones 3-6.
- The Nova pear tree, discovered in icy Adirondack Mountains, produces large, juicy yellow pears and is disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and self-fertile, making it a great choice in USDA zones 3-5.
