While it’s undeniable that some fruit trees take time to mature and produce fruit, I’m always excited to grow those that deliver a quicker payoff. With patience-testing wait times of up to seven years for certain varieties, I appreciate the ones that offer a faster harvest. As an avid gardener, I’m sure you’re eager to get your hands on some fruit-producing trees ASAP.
In this section, we’ll focus on the most popular and sought-after quick-fruiting trees that will give you the earliest returns on your investment.
11 Fast-Growing Fruit Trees To Try
Enjoy the fruits of your labor with remarkably rapid-growing varieties! By opting for quick-maturing cultivars, you can be savoring a harvest in just a few short years. The speed at which these trees produce fruit is truly impressive.
Mango
While most mango trees (Mangifera indica) typically take one to two years to produce fruit after planting, some varieties like ‘Glen Mango’ can yield an early harvest. If you’re in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, you’re among the lucky ones who can grow this variety. The mango tree’s flowering period occurs from December to March, with fruiting typically following around five months later.
As a monoecious plant, it has both male and female flowers on the same plant, making cross-pollination unnecessary. With the potential for growth up to 100 feet tall and 30 feet wide, proper positioning is crucial. Dwarf varieties like the dwarf spotted mango can be kept in pots, but they’re more likely to bear fruit when planted in the garden. For optimal results, plant your mango tree in the spring once all danger of frosts has passed, ensuring it receives full sun and well-draining soil.
Mulberry
Mulberry trees (Morus spp.) produce fruit within a relatively short span of one to three years after planting, contingent on the specific type and growing conditions. For optimal growth, these trees thrive in USDA Zones 4 to 8, but it’s essential to plant them away from structures or pathways due to their invasive root system. Spring is the perfect time for mulberry trees to bloom, typically around April to May.
Following a two-month period, the berries ripen and remain edible throughout mid-to-late summer. Mulberry trees can grow quite tall, ranging from 30 to 60 feet in height and width, making them a prominent feature of any landscape. The harvesting process accelerates in areas with ideal temperatures between 68-86°F (20-30°C). For those seeking a more compact variety, the Texas mulberry tree (M. celtidifolia) is an excellent option.
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit trees, specifically Hylocereus undatus, can impress with rapid fruit production – just six to eight months after planting! In comparison, container-grown plants may take up to two years before yielding fruit. Once they do, certain cultivars can produce multiple crops in a single year, with some varieties even delivering up to six harvests. As for blooming, expect mid-summer to early fall is when the magic happens.
When it comes to growing these tropical treats, zones 9 to 12 provide the ideal conditions. Plant your trees in spring and make sure they get either full or partial sun exposure. Expect your dragon fruit plants to reach heights of eight to 20 feet tall and three to 10 feet wide, depending on the cultivar you choose. Since dragon fruit originates from warm climates, it’s not fond of cold temperatures. To ensure a quick harvest after planting, maintain an optimal temperature range of 65-85ºF.
Lemon
In a suitable environment, citrus enthusiasts can enjoy a lemon tree harvest within a remarkably short timeframe of just one year. While less ideal conditions may require up to three years for the tree to mature, this is still relatively quick compared to other fruit trees. The prospect of having fresh, healthy lemons and lemon juice at your fingertips as soon as possible is certainly an attractive one.
To achieve this, grow your lemon tree in zones 8-11, selecting a variety that suits your local climate and conditions. In zone 8, for instance, you may want to opt for cold-hardy varieties like ‘Meyer’, as most lemons require tropical or sub-tropical environments to thrive. Lemon trees generally prefer average temperatures ranging from 75-85ºF and moderate humidity.
As they grow from compact dwarf sizes to towering heights of up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, planting in the spring will typically yield blooms around the same time the following year.
Peach
Biting into a ripe peach is a sensory experience like no other. With its sweet flavor and velvety texture, it’s little wonder why peaches are such a beloved fruit. And the best part? You don’t have to wait too long to enjoy their deliciousness. In fact, peach trees can start producing fruit within just two to four years after planting from a sapling.
Just make sure you live in the right zone – they thrive in zones 5-9, although some cold-tolerant varieties like ‘Canadian Harmony’, ‘Contender’, and ‘Redhaven’ will do well in zone 4 too. Most peaches are self-pollinating, so even with limited space, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest from just one tree. That said, planting multiple trees will definitely yield an even larger crop.
When it comes to size, dwarf varieties top out at under ten feet tall, while standard peach trees tend to grow around 25 feet high – but with some basic pruning, they’re easy to keep to a more manageable height. As for when to plant, spring or early winter are both good times. Just be sure your tree gets the right amount of chilling time – most varieties need around 600 hours at temperatures below 45°F (7°C) before they’ll produce fruit in the spring.
And while this can vary depending on the specific cultivar you’re working with, it’s an important consideration if you want to get the best results from your peach tree.
Apricot
Apricot trees, like their peach counterparts, typically take two to four years to bear fruit after planting. To ensure optimal growing conditions, choose a location that receives full sun and is situated in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8. Be mindful of spring frosts, as they can be detrimental to the tree’s blossoms. A south-facing brick wall or similar structure can provide protection from late frost damage.
When selecting an apricot tree variety, look for cold-tolerant options such as ‘Canadian White Blenheim’, ‘Goldcot’, ‘Tilton’, or ‘Tomcot’. This will increase the chances of a successful harvest. The blooming period typically occurs in April, with fruit maturation varying depending on the specific cultivar. A mature apricot tree can grow up to 20-30 feet tall and wide, but dwarf varieties like ‘Wilson’s Delicious’ offer a more compact option for smaller spaces.
For optimal root establishment before winter dormancy, it’s recommended to plant apricot trees in the fall.
Guava
Guavas are a remarkable fruit tree that thrive in the right environment. While it takes three to four years for them to produce fruit, once they start, they’re incredibly prolific and reliable. In ideal conditions, some guava varieties can yield up to 80 pounds of fruit annually. Guavas prefer warmer climates with rare or mild frosts, tolerating a short period of cold but shedding their leaves if temperatures drop below 29ºF. The optimal temperature range for these trees is between 62-82°F.
Interestingly, honey bees are the primary pollinators of guavas, making them an excellent choice for attracting more bees to your garden. In tropical regions, guavas can grow up to 30 feet tall, while in subtropical areas they typically reach 12-15 feet tall. As such, it’s best to plant guavas in early spring.
Fig
Ficus carica, commonly referred to as figs, typically require a minimum of three years to mature and produce fruit, with some varieties taking slightly longer. Ideally, plant your fig tree in full sun in zones 6-9 for optimal results. If everything goes according to plan, you can expect the first crop of fruit around May, which may continue until the onset of the first frost in November.
Keep in mind that fig trees have a tendency to grow quite large, reaching heights of up to 20 feet and widths of 10 to 20 feet. As they mature, their sprawling nature can lead to a bit of mess, making regular pruning not only necessary for tidying purposes but also crucial for encouraging new growth and increasing fruit production. When it comes time to plant your young fig trees, aim to do so in the spring or late fall when the weather is mild.
For added convenience, you can even purchase them from online retailers like Amazon.
Asian Pear
Asian pear trees (Pyrus pyrifolia) are a promising choice for orchard enthusiasts, yielding fruit in as little as two or three years. Thriving in zones 5-8, you can expect to harvest between August and October. This deciduous tree is quite large, growing up to 30-40 feet tall and wide, making it a noticeable addition to any landscape. Notably, Asian pears are self-fertile, but cross-pollination with another pear cultivar nearby can significantly increase yields and quality.
For optimal growth, plant in the spring after the last frost danger has passed. Although they are cold hardy, young trees require a chill period of 50-70 days with temperatures below 45°F during their first winter, followed by long, warm summers to develop fruit.
Sweet Cherry
Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) have a relatively fast maturation period, with grafted trees bearing fruit within two to three years. Own-root trees, however, require several years longer to reach their productive potential. For optimal growth and harvesting, plant in zones 4-7. As a deciduous tree, sweet cherry’s life cycle begins with spring blooming, followed by fruit production from May to early July.
Notably, some dwarf varieties can produce fruit within the same timeframe as standard trees, such as ‘Stella’, a reliable and productive cultivar. When planting, aim for either spring or early fall, allowing the tree to capitalize on increased moisture during its establishment phase.
Apples
Not all apple trees are created equal when it comes to fruit production. Dwarf cultivars, for instance, can start bearing fruit within two years of planting, while other fast-growing varieties may follow suit. However, if you’re looking for a faster return on your investment, consider ‘Early-Harvest’ apple trees (Malus domestica ‘Early Harvest’). These trees have the unique ability to produce sweet and juicy fruit within just one to three years after being planted.
When it comes to choosing the right size tree for your space, you’ve got options. Full-sized trees can grow up to 25 feet tall and wide, while semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties top out at around 10 feet in height and width. This versatility makes them suitable for planting in containers as well as directly in the ground. To ensure a bountiful harvest, be sure to plant your ‘Early-Harvest’ apple tree in full sun and provide it with consistent moisture.
They’re not drought-tolerant, so aim to supply at least 1 inch of water every 10 days, with more frequent watering during dry periods. When it comes to planting timing, the type of tree you have will dictate the best approach. Bare-root trees are best planted in the spring, while container-grown trees can be planted up until mid-fall. With proper care and attention, your ‘Early-Harvest’ apple tree will reward you with a delicious harvest as early as June or as late as September.
