Fruit Trees

Classic orchard trees: Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum and Apricot trees are the backbone of most home orchards. These ship in spring, when they can settle in before summer.

Native and easy-care fruit trees: The Pawpaw produces North America's largest native fruit, with a custardy, tropical flavor. The American Persimmon ripens sweet and soft in fall. Mulberry and Elderberry bear heavily and feed birds as well as people. These natives have few pest problems and ship in late fall.

Fruit trees for small spaces: The Dwarf Patio Peach stays compact enough for a container on a deck or patio. The Fig Tree is self-fertile, so one tree is all you need for a crop.

Nut trees: Pecan, Black Walnut and Hall's Hardy Almond trees are long-lived and productive. Pecan and black walnut become large shade trees, so give them room.

Berries and vines: A Blackberry patch or a Grape Vine on a trellis fruits sooner than most trees. That makes them a good way to start harvesting while your orchard matures.

Hardiness zone. Start with your USDA zone, which is listed on each product page. A tree rated for your zone will survive your winters and fruit reliably.

Chill hours. Apples, peaches and apricots need a certain amount of winter cold to set fruit. Gardeners in the Deep South should check that a tree suits a mild winter. Gardeners up north should watch for early bloomers that a late frost could catch.

Pollination. Some fruit trees fruit on their own, and others need a partner.

• Usually self-fertile: peach, apricot, fig, and most mulberries. One tree will fruit.
• Need a second tree: apple, pear, and pawpaw need a second, different tree nearby. American persimmon trees are usually male or female, so plant several to make sure you get a fruiting female. Plums, elderberries, pecans and almonds also set noticeably better crops with a partner.

Space. Dwarf and patio trees fit small yards and containers. Standard fruit trees need more room but produce more fruit. Pecan and black walnut grow into large trees. Black walnut roots release juglone, which harms many plants, including apples, tomatoes and blueberries. Plant it well away from your garden and other fruit trees.

Many of our fruit trees ship as bare root plants. That means they're dug while dormant and shipped without heavy soil around the roots. The roots are packed in moist material so they stay hydrated in transit.

Bare root fruit trees cost less to ship and are less stressed by the trip. They also tend to establish faster than container trees, because the roots grow straight into your native soil. Learn more on our About Bare Root Plants page.

• Sun: Plant in full sun, at least 6–8 hours of direct light a day. More sun means more fruit. Pawpaws are the exception, since young pawpaws appreciate some shade for their first year or two.
• Soil: Choose well-drained soil. Avoid low spots where water stands after rain.
• Planting: Soak bare roots for a few hours before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out. Keep the graft union, the knobby spot on the lower trunk, above the soil line. See our full planting instructions.
• Water: Water deeply once a week through the first growing season, more often in heat or drought.
• Mulch and protect: Spread 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping it a few inches off the trunk. Use a trunk guard to stop rabbits and voles from chewing the bark in winter.
• Prune: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to build a strong, open shape.

What month is best to plant fruit trees?
Plant fruit trees while they're dormant. That means late fall, after the leaves drop, or late winter to early spring, before the buds open. Fall planting gives roots a head start in warm soil. Spring planting is safest in very cold climates. That's why our fruit trees ship in mid-to-late November or in spring, depending on the variety.

Which fruit tree produces fruit the fastest?
Figs and mulberries are among the quickest, often fruiting within 1–3 years. Peaches typically bear in 2–4 years. Blackberries and elderberries can fruit in their second season. Nut trees take the longest, with pecan and black walnut often needing 6–10 years or more.

What is the easiest fruit tree to grow?
Figs, mulberries, American persimmons and pawpaws are among the easiest. They're vigorous and forgiving, and they have far fewer pest and disease problems than apples or peaches. Native species like persimmon and pawpaw are especially low-maintenance in the eastern U.S.

Do I need two fruit trees to get fruit?
It depends on the type. Peaches, apricots, figs and most mulberries are self-fertile, so one tree will fruit. Apples, pears and pawpaws need a second, different tree nearby. American persimmons are usually male or female, so plant several to be sure of fruit.

How long until my fruit tree produces fruit?
Most fruit trees begin bearing within 2–5 years of planting. Dwarf trees usually fruit sooner than standard-size trees. Good sun, steady watering and proper pruning all help a young tree start producing earlier.

Where is the best place to buy fruit trees?
Buy from a grower that ships at the correct planting time and stands behind its plants. TN Nursery has grown trees in Tennessee since 1959, ships nationwide direct from the farm, and backs every order with our warranty. Not sure which tree is right for your yard? Get free expert advice or call us at 931-692-4252.

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