12 Types Of Fruit Trees That Thrive In Cold Climates

When you live somewhere with cold winters, you may think the list of fruit you can grow in your garden is short. Cold regions are known for squashes, gourds, and other cold-hearty produce, but are lesser known for plentiful fruit trees. While it's true that tropical fruit and most citrus trees won’t grow in cold climates, you'll be surprised how many fruit trees live in freezing temperatures.

Some of the most popular fruit trees that thrive in cold climates like zones 3 through 6 include apple, pear, and cherry trees. Fig, apricot, and peach trees can also grow in colder climates, as long as winters aren’t too long and harsh. Some unique fruit trees that grow in cold weather include persimmon, pawpaw, Asian pear, and hardy kiwi.

If you are on the hunt for a fruit-bearing tree and live in a cold climate, you may think your options are limited. While you can’t grow bananas or oranges up north, lots of delicious fruits grow from trees in cold climates. Below is a list of fruit trees, both familiar and obscure, that are worth planting in a cold-weather yard.

12 Fruit Trees You Can Plant In Cold Climates

1. Apple

The most iconic cold-weather fruit tree is the apple tree. Apple trees are found all over regions that have four seasons. There are more than 7,500 types of apples, and some grow better in colder climates, while others prefer mild winters.

Apple trees go dormant in the winter months, but when they are fruiting, they must get plenty of sun. Ensure you plant an apple tree where it will get at least six hours of sunlight daily in the spring through fall. These fruits produce tons of delicious and juicy fruit in the late summer and fall, just in time for apple pie season.

2. Cherry

Cherry trees are one the most resilient cold-weather fruit trees on the planet. This is a tree that not only loves seasonal climates, but it requires weather with all four seasons. This plant goes dormant in the winter but loves the warmth and sunshine of summer.

A cherry tree provides more than 7,000 cherries per year once fully mature, which is great for anyone who loves this sweet and tangy stone fruit. After planting, it will take time for this tree to grow, so allow five years before you plan on it producing fruit. This is also one of the tallest fruit trees, as it can grow over 25 feet tall.

3. Fig

Fig trees are known to thrive in the Mediterranean, but this decadent fruit and the tree it grows on can handle a cold winter. The key to planting a fig tree in a colder climate is sunlight and warmth. 

These trees are happiest in mild winters and long warm summers but don’t die in cold weather. Therefore, when growing them in colder climates, ensure this tree is planted in a warm spot in the yard with full sun. 

There are many types of fig trees, and they tolerate cold differently, so choose a variety that likes the cold and will grow to your desired height.

4. Peach

If you live somewhere like South Carolina or Georgia, where it frosts but the winters are mild, then plant a peach tree. Peach trees can grow in zones 5 through 9, depending on the peach variety.

Peach trees love warmth and full sun, but they also need a brief season where temperatures are below 45 degrees. This makes them perfect for those living in an area with four seasons, but where the winters are short and mild. Plant your peach tree in a sunny spot where there is well-drained soil.

5. Pear

Pears are another juicy fruit that grow in areas with cold winters. This fruit with its signature shape ripens in late summer and into early fall. Like other fruit trees on this list, it likes plenty of sun in the spring and fall, so plant it accordingly. 

When planting a pear tree, do so when the plant is dormant, like in the late fall. Planting trees this time of year gives it the best chance to thrive. Avoid planting a new tree in the summer.

6. Pawpaw

If you want to try growing a fruit that is unique and tasty, look no further than the pawpaw tree. Native to the Northern United States and Canada, the pawpaw tree is the North’s answer to tropical fruit.

This fruit has notes of banana, kiwi, mango, and even papaya, but it thrives in cold climates with all four seasons. These trees like the sun, but can also tolerate shade. They go completely dormant in the winter, so you don’t need to worry about watering them until the ground thaws.

7. Blueberry

Blueberries are one of the best-tasting and healthiest berries you can buy. Some varieties of this signature blue fruit grow on tall colorful hedges or bushes, while others grow on a larger tree. Blueberries are a plant species that enjoy more acidic soil, making it great for those who have acidic soil. 

They also enjoy a bit of shade, as too much hot sun can stress these plants out a bit. Not only do blueberry trees grow in deciduous climates, but their leaves even change colors, providing beautiful fall foliage in your yard.

8. Apricot

The apricot is another sweet stone fruit that grows in regions with cold winters. This small fuzzy pale orange fruit is popular along the Mediterranean like other fruits on this list, but it can live in areas with winter, as long as the winter doesn’t last too long. 

These fruits also prefer drier climates, especially dry springs. So, if you live in a wet climate or somewhere with long winters, consider a different fruit tree on this list.

9. Persimmon

Persimmons are another interesting fruit tree that you can grow in regions with four distinct seasons. Wildly popular in Asia, the persimmon is a fruit like no other. This is a fall fruit that looks like an orange tomato, but it tastes more like a cantaloupe. 

You can grow persimmon trees in subtropical climates but can also grow and produce fruit in zone 4 through zone 10.

10. Medlar

Another unique yet tasty tree you can grow in a yard during cold winters is the medlar tree. This tree is in the same family as apples, and it produces a small brown fruit that tastes like an apple meets an apricot, with a citrus twist.

This is a cold-hearty fruit tree, but it is best grown in zones 6 or warmer, as spring frosts, especially late spring frosts, will reduce the likelihood of fruit.

11. Asian Pear

Asian pears have grown significantly more popular in the last decade, and you can even find this refreshing fruit on several restaurant menus. This fruit is like a mix of an apple and a pear and has a signature crisp bite and mild yet refreshing flavor.

These fruit trees like regions with seasons, but also enjoy mild and sunny climates. They will grow in zones 5 through 9 and like full sun.

12. Hardy Kiwi

Kiwis are famously grown in mild climates like New Zealand, and while those kiwis can’t handle freezing winters, the hardy kiwis can. This fruit is native to Northern Asia and has a sweeter taste than the tangy kiwi most are familiar with.

Best of all, this tree can grow in places with freezing winters, where other kiwi cannot.

Summing Up Fruit Trees You Can Grow In Cold Climates

Just because you live somewhere with long freezing winters, it doesn't mean you can’t have trees that fill with fruit in the late summer. There are tons of fruit trees you can grow in cold climates. Some of the most popular options include apple, pear, peach, blueberry, and fig trees. If you want to plant a unique and flavorful fruit tree in a climate with four seasons, consider the Asian pear, persimmon, pawpaw, medlar, or hardy kiwi trees.

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