What are the Best Fruit Trees to Plant in Portland?
Interested in making a fruitful investment into your home and life? Plant a fruit tree on your property! Planting fruit trees has many benefits:
- Adds natural beauty
- Increases the value of your home
- Provides privacy
- Offers a strong root system around your house to help hold soil in place
- Contributes to lower blood-pressure and improved overall psychological and emotional health
- Provides delicious fruit for you and your family to enjoy!
As the Portland area’s full-service tree care provider, we often get asked about planting fruit trees and what varieties grow best in this area. The good news is, when it comes to the type of fruit you can grow, Portland is ripe with opportunity.
Keep reading for a complete guide to the best type of fruit trees to grow in Portland.
Apples
Apple trees thrive in wet, mild climates, so it’s no surprise that our state produces roughly 125 million pounds of this crunchy and delicious fruit every year!
There are thousands of apple varieties that are grown in Oregon, so you have a lot of options to choose from, including…
- Fuji
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
Just think of all the wonderful fall-themed dishes, desserts, and drinks you can make fresh from your yard!
Cherries
Is there anything more iconic than a bowl full of cherries from the PNW? This candy-like fruit is an Oregon favorite. And there’s nothing quite as stunning as a cherry tree in the spring. Many people plant cherry trees on their property just to witness their blossoms!
The most popular types of cherries to grow here in Portland are…
- Bing
- Sweetheart
- Royal Ann
- Rainier
Pears
Did you know that pears are Oregon’s official state fruit? In fact, 84% of pears grown in the US come from the area. Warm days, cool nights, and easy access to plenty of water and rich, volcanic soil provide an environment that’s perfect for pears to grow and thrive on your Portland property.
The most popular pear varieties grown here in this are include…
- Anjou
- Bartlett
- Bosc
- Concorde
Plums
Plum trees typically produce fruit for several weeks during the summer and are a unique fruit to grow on your property — particularly if you enjoy making jams and jellies!
Favorite types of plums grown here in Oregon are…
- Italian prunes
- Empress
- Santa Rosa
- Shiro
Figs
Their tropical look might fool you into believing they belong in jungle, but the truth is that figs grow wonderfully here in the Pacific Northwest! In fact, they’re a backyard favorite for many.
Like all types of fruit trees, pruning fig trees takes some special care, but other than that, this type of tree is fairly hardy and very easy to care for. Depending on the variety you choose, you may even get two crops in one year!
Peaches
A sweet and juicy peach is a wonderful late summer treat. And though Oregon isn’t known for peaches in the way other states like Georgia are, peach trees do thrive here.
There are a few different types of peaches to look into, though for amateur gardeners, we recommend a variety that’s resistant to peach leaf curl, such as…
- Avalon Pride
- Frost
- Salish Summer
You may even want to try planting a donut peach tree which are an extra fun variety of this fruit.
Where to plant a fruit tree
As you consider the type of fruit you want around your home, equally important is that you evaluate your property and understand where the best place to plant will be. Just as the type of tree affects where you choose to plant, the landscape of your property can affect the type of tree you choose.
Remember: A tree planted in the wrong place won’t grow properly and could potentially cause problems for your home.
We always recommend getting an arborist’s opinion on your property before making your final decisions, but here are a few things to consider:
- It’s typically recommended to plant at least 10 feet from your home and 5 feet away from your fence or property line
- What areas do you want more privacy?
- Will planting in a certain spot block sunlight to your home?
- What other plants and trees are already in your yard?
- How is the soil on your property?
- Does your property get direct sun? A lot of shade?
Fruit tree planting tips
Once you’ve chosen the type of tree and the location in your yard, it’s time to plant it! There are some important tips to make sure you give your tree a good start.
- You typically want to plant in winter or early spring.
- Dig a hole approximately 2 feet wide by 1.5 feet deep.
- The top roots of the tree should not be buried more than 2 inches under the soil, as it can suffocate.
- You generally want to prune the top of your tree as soon as its planted — usually a 1/4 or 1/2 of the top to balance the root to top ratio. Keep in mind though, if done incorrectly pruning can hurt your tree. Always consult an expert.
Once your tree is planted, make sure it gets plenty of water — around 3-5 gallons each week is needed for most young trees. Just be careful not to overwater!
Questions about planting fruit trees in PDX? Ask an arborist!
When it comes to tree care questions, we want to be your first call. Whether you have questions about what type of fruit tree will grow best in your yard, how to plant your tree, or need help with pruning, our master gardeners and ISA-Certified Arborists are always ready to help.
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