11 Nov Top 10 Best Fruit Trees to Grow Your Own Harvest in North Texas

Picture this: stepping outside your North Texas home to pick fresh, home-grown fruit, perfectly ripened under the Texas sun. In this unique region, a variety of fruit trees thrive in the hot summers, mild winters, and mix of clay to sandy soils that characterize North Texas. Choosing the right fruit trees for your yard means you’ll enjoy a hearty harvest year after year.

With each season, your backyard can become a vibrant, fruitful oasis, adding flavor and a touch of nature’s beauty to your daily life. Whether you’re a gardening pro or just starting out, North Texas offers the ideal setting to grow your own fresh produce.

Why Grow Fruit Trees in North Texas?

Not only do fruit trees add natural beauty and valuable shade to your yard, but they also provide a sustainable source of fresh, organic snacks right from home. Growing your own fruit reduces trips to the store and gives you control over how your food is grown.

Plus, fruit trees attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, bringing a touch of nature’s charm right to your doorstep—along with fruits packed with unbeatable flavor.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 best fruit trees for North Texas gardens, each chosen for its resilience to heat and adaptability to occasional drought.

Top Fruit Trees for North Texas Gardens

1. Plum Trees (‘Methley’ and ‘Santa Rosa’)

Plum trees are a fantastic choice for North Texas gardens, offering both beauty and fruit production. Varieties like ‘Methley’ and ‘Santa Rosa’ adapt well to the local soil, including the area’s challenging clay, and can thrive in the region’s heat.

These trees bloom with fragrant flowers in spring, attracting beneficial pollinators that support a thriving ecosystem. By summer, they yield juicy, sweet plums perfect for fresh eating, baking, or even preserves.

Plums are also low-maintenance, needing only regular watering and occasional pruning. For a delicious and dependable fruit tree, plums are a smart, Texas-friendly option.

2. Fig Trees (‘Celeste’ and ‘Texas Everbearing’)

Figs are perfectly suited to the Texas heat, producing delicious fruits while tolerating dry conditions. Varieties like ‘Celeste’ and ‘Texas Everbearing’ are popular for their soft, sweet fruits that can be enjoyed fresh, in desserts, or preserved.

These trees thrive in full sun and only need the occasional watering once established, making them a great low-maintenance option. With their lush, tropical-looking leaves, figs also add a unique visual appeal to any yard or patio.

They’re well-suited to smaller spaces and can even be grown in pots, making them versatile for any garden layout. For North Texas, figs provide both beauty and bounty.

3. Pear Trees (‘Bartlett’ and ‘Kieffer’)

Pear trees are a resilient choice for North Texas, with varieties like ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Kieffer’ known for their hardiness and sweet fruit. These trees produce beautiful white blossoms in spring, adding visual interest and attracting pollinators to your garden.

By summer or early fall, they yield delicious pears that can be enjoyed fresh, baked, or canned. Pears are fairly drought-tolerant once established and are more resistant to pests than many other fruit trees.

With minimal care, these trees are a reliable option for those looking to add fresh produce to their garden. Pear trees are a rewarding choice for anyone seeking low-maintenance fruit options.

4. Persimmon Trees (‘Fuyu’ and ‘Hachiya’)

Persimmon trees are an excellent addition to North Texas gardens, producing unique, vitamin-rich fruits. Varieties like ‘Fuyu’ and ‘Hachiya’ thrive in the region’s clay soil and require little water once established, making them a low-maintenance choice.

The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon can be enjoyed while still firm, whereas ‘Hachiya’ is best when fully ripened for its natural sweetness. These trees add seasonal color to the garden with their bright orange fruits and vibrant fall foliage.

Persimmons are also nutrient-dense and packed with antioxidants, making them a healthy snack straight from your yard. Their hardy nature and striking appearance make them a popular choice for North Texas landscapes.

5. Pomegranate Trees (‘Wonderful’ and ‘Austin’)

Pomegranate trees are ideal for North Texas gardens, known for their tolerance of dry, sunny conditions and low water requirements. Varieties like ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Austin’ yield bright red, antioxidant-rich fruit that’s perfect for snacking or juicing.

In addition to their delicious fruit, pomegranates feature vibrant red flowers that attract pollinators, adding both beauty and ecological benefits to your garden. These trees are naturally drought-resistant and require minimal maintenance, making them suitable for water-conscious gardeners.

Pomegranates also adapt well to Texas’s varied soil types, including clay. With their exotic appeal, pomegranate trees bring both color and health benefits to North Texas gardens.

6. Apple Trees (‘Anna’ and ‘Dorsett Golden’)

Apple trees, especially heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Anna’ and ‘Dorsett Golden,’ can flourish in North Texas with the right care. These trees bloom with fragrant pink and white flowers in spring, adding charm to any landscape.

By late summer, they produce crisp, juicy apples that are perfect for fresh eating, baking, or making cider. Apple trees thrive in full sun and benefit from consistent watering, especially during the hottest months.

With regular pruning to encourage airflow and fruit production, they’re a rewarding addition to your garden. For fresh apples at home, apple trees are a worthwhile investment for North Texas gardeners.

7. Peach Trees (‘Harvester’ and ‘Elberta’)

Peach trees are practically made for Texas summers, producing lush blooms and delicious fruit with minimal care. Varieties like ‘Harvester’ and ‘Elberta’ are popular for their heat tolerance and juicy, sweet peaches.

These trees burst into pink blossoms in spring, providing an early-season visual delight and attracting pollinators to the garden. By late summer, they yield peaches that are perfect for eating fresh, canning, or baking.

Peaches require regular watering and occasional pruning but are otherwise easy to maintain. For a taste of summer right in your backyard, peach trees are an excellent choice for North Texas gardens.

8. Cherry Trees (‘Bing’ and ‘Rainier’)

Cherry trees add both beauty and delicious fruit to North Texas gardens, with varieties like ‘Bing’ and ‘Rainier’ thriving in slightly cooler parts of the region. These trees bloom in early spring with striking pink or white flowers, creating a beautiful display before the leaves appear.

By summer, they produce sweet cherries that are perfect for snacking, baking, or preserving. Cherries need well-draining soil and benefit from regular watering during dry spells.

With a bit of care, cherry trees can thrive in Texas and provide fresh fruit each year. They’re an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add a unique fruit tree to their landscape.

9. Nectarine Trees (‘Fantasia’ and ‘Sun Red’)

Nectarine trees are a delightful addition to North Texas gardens, with varieties like ‘Fantasia’ and ‘Sun Red’ known for their juicy, flavorful fruits. These trees thrive in the region’s heat and produce stunning pink blooms each spring that attract bees and butterflies.

By mid-summer, they yield smooth, sweet nectarines ideal for fresh eating or adding to recipes. Nectarines require a sunny location, well-draining soil, and regular watering during hot, dry periods.

With proper care, they’re a rewarding choice for those wanting fresh fruit. Their compact size also makes them a suitable option for smaller spaces or patios.

10. Meyer Lemon (Dwarf Variety)

Meyer Lemon trees are a wonderful citrus option for North Texas gardens, especially the dwarf variety, which fits well in smaller spaces and containers. Known for their sweet, slightly tangy flavor with a hint of tangerine, Meyer lemons are perfect for cooking, making lemonade, or adding a fresh splash to water.

These trees produce fragrant white flowers in early spring, filling your garden with a citrusy aroma before the fruit begins to set. Meyer Lemon trees thrive in full sun but need protection from frost, making it beneficial to bring potted trees indoors during winter freezes.

With regular watering and good drainage, Meyer lemons are relatively easy to care for. If you’re looking for a touch of the tropics and homegrown citrus in North Texas, Meyer Lemon trees are an ideal choice.

Essential Tips for Growing Fruit Trees in North Texas

Growing fruit trees in North Texas requires a bit of planning, but it’s simpler than it might seem. Here are some easy tips to get started:

• Sunlight: Fruit trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Given the intensity of the Texas sun, a spot with some afternoon shade can be beneficial.
• Watering: Young trees require regular watering, especially during the summer. While most fruit trees develop some drought tolerance as they mature, extra water during dry spells can help maintain fruit production.
• Soil: North Texas soil can range from clay-heavy to sandy. Adding compost improves drainage and boosts nutrients, particularly in clay soils. If your soil needs more support, consider using raised beds.
• Pruning: Prune trees in late winter to remove dead branches and encourage healthy new growth. This practice keeps trees productive and in good shape.
• Fertilizing: Each spring, apply a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for a strong growing season.

Creating a North Texas Backyard Orchard

With the right fruit trees, you can turn your North Texas yard into a vibrant, fruit-filled oasis. From the classic sweetness of peaches and pears to the unique flavors of persimmons and pomegranates, there’s something for every taste.

Growing fruit trees isn’t just about enjoying fresh produce; it’s about building a sustainable outdoor space that supports both you and the local ecosystem.

If you’re considering planting a fruit tree, Price Right Trees is here to help you every step of the way!

From selecting the best tree varieties with guidance from our ISA Certified Arborists to expert tree planting techniques, we’ll ensure your trees have the best start.

We also provide plant health care and tree maintenance services to keep your orchard thriving, along with professional tree pruning to enhance fruit production. 

So, dig in, plant your orchard, and enjoy the fruits of your labor right here in North Texas!