9 Best Types of Fruit Trees To Grow in Your Backyard

American Plum Trees:

Native plum trees are keystone species providing food, shelter, and breeding sites for wildlife. They support up to 340 species of butterflies and moths, form thickets that deter browsing animals, and aid in erosion control.

Apple Trees:

Offer a variety of flavors and textures. Best pollinated by bees, or by planting two varieties to cross-pollinate. Require full sun, four distinct seasons, and moist, well-drained soil.

Pear Trees:

Easier to grow than apples and offer diverse flavors from Bartlett to Bosc. They produce showy spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage, and their fruit is versatile for canning, baking, or making cider.

Pawpaw Trees:

Native to the Midwest and eastern U.S., they require minimal care and produce fruit with a unique tropical flavor. They support local wildlife, particularly zebra swallowtail butterflies and pawpaw sphinx moths.

Persimmon Trees:

Native to the eastern and central U.S., persimmons offer sweet, honey-like fruit when ripe. They provide habitat for birds and moths, are drought-tolerant, and have vibrant fall foliage.

Red Mulberry Trees:

Fast-growing, they provide shade and nutrition for birds and butterflies. The fruit can be used fresh or in jams and pies, but the berries can be messy. Prefer full sun to part shade and moist, slightly acidic soil.

Citrus Trees:

Lemon and lime trees thrive indoors and outdoors but need to be protected from cold. They require at least eight hours of full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Varieties like Meyer lemon and Citrus Bears lime are popular.

Navel Orange Trees:

The Washington navel orange is a semi-dwarf tree with fragrant blossoms and sweet, seedless fruit. It needs at least 10 hours of full sun and well-drained soil, and is popular in California.

Pomegranate Trees:

Compact shrubs suitable for small gardens or containers. They thrive in diverse environments, from coastal to desert settings. Punica Crimson Sky variety is noted for its long blooming period and productive yield.