List of Fruit Bearing Trees

Fruit-bearing trees are used for ornamental purposes and for the fruit they bear that many people consume. The United States Department of Agriculture provides hardiness zones for fruit-bearing trees. When purchasing a fruit tree it is best to consult this chart to see what will grow well and produce fruit in your area. Certain zones have too cool of winters to grow fruit trees.

Brazilian cherry, also called cayenne cherry, is a cherry tree that can grow up to 25 feet in height. The tree produces 1-inch, shiny red to black fruit that is sweet in taste. Often the darker red or black fruits produce a higher quality flesh, according to Trade Winds Fruit. Although this tree can be shaped into a bush, it grows more like a tree. Flowering can occur several times a year and bloom thousands of flowers. Brazilian cherry trees can produce fruit two to three times a year and adapt well in tropical climates. Plant the tree in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. It only needs moderate rainfall to do well. The USDA hardiness zones for this cherry tree are 10 and 11.

Orange trees can reach up to 25 feet tall and in later years can get up to 50 feet tall. The tree has a rounded crown of slender branches and green foliage. It has fragrant white flowers that are approximately 2 inches in diameter. The fruit is somewhat oval and about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The outer rind is orange or yellow when ripe and the pulp is orange or yellow. Inside each orange are 10 to 14 wedges that are sweet or, in some varieties, sour. The best soil for an orange tree is fine sand with good drainage. The best climate is temperatures between 55 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hardiness varies depending on rootstock and cultivar, and should be kept between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, according to Purdue University. Young trees may die with the slightest freeze. USDA hardiness zones are 8 through 10.

Plum trees require little maintenance and can grow up to 15 feet in height. Typically, you will not see fruit for up to five years. This gives the tree time to get established. A mature tree can produce up to 20 pounds of fruit each year. Many species of fruit trees originate around the world and each require little pruning. In the early spring, plum trees have small, pinkish-white flowers that are very attractive. Some varieties of plum trees are not self-fertile and you will need more than one tree to produce fruit. The life expectancy of plum trees is 20 to 30 years. The USDA hardiness zones are 4 through 10 for these trees.