Fruit trees can be picky about where you grow them. Each species of fruit tree requires a specific number of chilling hours in order for the tree to be able to come out of its dormant state and start to produce fruit each year. The chilling hours happen when the temperature is above freezing (320) but below 450.
Some fruit trees also require the winters to be longer and colder than other fruit trees. That is why some types of fruit are readily available in north Texas, different ones can be found in south Texas, and another type may perform better in West Texas or Central Texas.
You want to plant fruit trees in the late winter and early spring of the year. At this time the sap in the tree is down and the chilling hours are long enough to allow the tree to awaken from its dormant state so that it will bloom.
By planting in the late winter and early spring the new tree has an opportunity to take advantage of spring rains and cool temperatures while it is establishing a deep and sturdy root system. You must keep your young trees watered properly for the first year so they have time to become established before they have to deal with the harsh realities of the summer heat and the possible drought like conditions that summer in Texas can bring.
North Texas Fruit Trees Planting Seasons and Time
- Pomegranates
Pomegranate trees can reach heights of 30 feet. The trees can live as long as 200 years, and they like hot, dry weather so the southern portion of Texas, central Texas and West Texas are all great places to grow these fruits.
- Figs
Figs are hardy fruit trees that can grow in the northern sections of the state, they can grow in the southern section of the state, and they do well everywhere in between. The only portion of Texas that does not seem to be good for fig trees is the far western sections of the state.
- Apples
Apples require a colder winter and a longer period of dormancy in order for them to be healthy and bear fruit. The northern portion of Texas has these conditions along with some sandy loam that drains well and provides a sturdy base for the root system of the tree.
South Texas
- Peaches
Peach Trees do great in Southern and Central Texas. Often the frost comes so late in the year in North Texas that the peach blossoms get frost bitten, but in the southern and central portion of Texas, these fruits thrive.
- Plums
Plums are very easy to grow and they flourish in the full sun and the well-drained sandy soil.
- Nectarines
Nectarines fall into the category of stone fruits as do peaches and plums so anywhere that one of these fruits flourishes the other two will also flourish.
- Oranges
Satsuma oranges are the most frequently grown in the southern section of the state. The winters are cold enough to allow them to go through their dormant state, but not so cold that they damage the trees.
- Lemons
Lemons can easily grow anywhere that oranges can grow. Lemon trees are often see in the southern part of Texas and when the trees blossom the heady aroma makes the area all around the tree smell lemony fresh.
- Persimmons
Persimmons are a unique fruit. When they ripen they are orange and the tree has no leaves on it. Many people who have never seen a persimmon tree think they are seeing small pumpkins growing on a tree when they see their first one.
Fruit Trees Planting Guide for West Texas
- Jujubes
In west Texas, Jujubes are a popular fruit tree to plant because they can tolerate the heat, the dry conditions, and the unpredictable winters. (You can never be certain if west Texas will have a winter, and then sometimes they get blue northers that chill them to the bone. Of course ain’t nothing in west Texas to stop the north wind except a few strands of barbed wire.)
Jujubes will remind you of a date in their appearance and texture.
Central Texas
Central Texas is a great location for fruit trees in Texas. They have more of the cooler nights and chilling hours in the late winter and early spring, and they also have the wonderful heat that is available in southern Texas.
In this part of Texas, you can grow anything that normally grows in the southern region and anything that grows well in the northern portion of Texas.
Final Thought
Fruit trees not only provide you with amazing fruit they make your property prettier and they also increase the value of your property. When growing fruit trees you want to do your best to keep grass from growing up to the edge of the tree trunk. The grass will compete with your fruit tree for water and nutrients.
