Typically, fruit trees take approximately 7 to 10 years to bear fruit. While the idea of waiting for such a lengthy period may not be desirable, there are still many people who long for the gratification of harvesting fruits from their own backyard. Wouldn’t you agree?
That is why, in the following article, we are going to go through the top 17 fastest-growing fruit trees for your backyard.
1. Plum
Plum trees make a great choice not only for beginners but for experts as well. When growing a plum tree, make sure to always keep it free of pests and diseases like silver leaf or aphids.
Prune the tree with shears one time during the growing season. If your tree is younger, prune during the early spring, but if it is mature, aim for mid-summer. Keep in mind that pruning in winter or fall will leave the tree vulnerable to infection and frost.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: 15 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (between 2 and 7 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 4-9
- Years to bear: 3-6 years
2. Apple
The three most popular varieties of apple that are known for being fast growers are Yellow Delicious, Red Delicious, and Early Harvest.
Apple trees can usually grow in most soils but you need to make sure there is no standing water after rain. If the water stands for a couple of hours after rain, that spot is not the best for planting apple trees.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: 30 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (between 7 and 9 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 3-5
- Years to bear: 2-3 years
3. Peach
If you are looking for a fast-growing peach, the dwarf peach makes a great choice. Aside from the dwarf peach, the Bonanza is also a good option.
One thing to remember is that you should always remove diseased, dead, or broken wood. This way, you will help the remaining fruits taste better and grow bigger. During the winter, you should apply a dormant spray to prevent pests and diseases.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Approximately 20 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (around 6 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 4-9 (especially well in 6-8)
- Years to bear: 2-4 years
4. Mandarin
When it comes to mandarin orange tree care, the main tip to keep in mind is regular watering. In other words, you should water the little tree once a week.
If you are living in a drier climate, water the little tree twice a week. However, note that mandarin will always tolerate drought way more than inundation.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: 25 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (between 4 and 6 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 8b-11
- Years to bear: 1 year
5. Lemon
Believe it or not, lemon trees really like well-drained, moist soil. During the summer, you should water the lemon tree every 10 days. However, if it is really hot outside, water the lemon tree every week.
Ideally, you should allow the tree to soak up about 12 cm of moisture every month. Still, never overwater the tree.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Approximately 15-20 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (between 3 and 5 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 9-11
- Years to bear: 3-5 years
6. Mango
Even though mango itself is a very exotic fruit, the tree care process is quite similar to that of any other fruit tree. Water the tree deeply, but allow the surface of the soil to dry to a depth of at least a couple of inches before you water it again.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: 60 ft. or more
- Average fruit size: Usually big size (between 6 and 16 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 9-11
- Years to bear: 5-8 years
7. Asian Pear
When it comes to the Asian pear, you should always make sure that the tree is watered deeply and thoroughly and receives full sun.
In addition to that, you should also make sure that the tree is within 15 feet of another Asian pear variety. If you want to make sure the tree is warm even during the winter, you can add a layer of dark mulch.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Approximately 15 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (between 5 and 8 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 5-9
- Years to bear: 5 years
8. Papaya
Papayas are well known for loving sunlight and heat. Furthermore, they are also heavy feeders and need to be fertilized regularly. Another great tip is to add compost.
Papayas have very large and very soft leaves that evaporate quite a lot of water during the hot summer months. Therefore, they require above-average watering.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: 15 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually quite big (between 8 and 50 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 9-10
- Years to bear: 7-11 months
9. Fig
Fig trees should always be kept in full sun during the summer. In addition to that, you should add a high-nitrogen fertilizer once a month in both summer and spring.
During the winter in cold climates, move your tree indoors and always keep the soil moist. However, take care not to over or underwater the plant.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Between 15 and 30 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (between 3 and 5 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 8-10
- Years to bear: 3-4 years
10. Cherry
The care and maintenance tips for sweet cherries and sour cherries is the same. If you want to retain moisture, we highly recommend you apply dark mulch.
Another great tip when it comes to cherries is to water them regularly in dry areas. Thinning is not necessary as cherry trees naturally thin during the early summer.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Up to 35 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (around 2 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 5-7
- Years to bear: 4 years
11. Moringa
Moringa is quite different when compared to the previous trees. Believe it or not, moringa is reasonably tolerant to drought.
However, this fruit tree never works in wet conditions and will instantly show signs of distress if the soil is watered for a long period after watering or rain. Even though it needs regular watering during the first year, once this tree is established, the rainfall alone will be enough.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: Approximately 30 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (between 0.7 and 1.4 cm long)
- Best for Grow Zones: 9-10
- Years to bear: 3 years
12. Apricot
Apricot trees usually require about an inch of water a week, especially during fruiting and bloom. In order to avoid wet fruits, leaves, and flowers, we recommend you use the drip irrigation system.
Don’t forget that apricot tree care should always include thinning. Therefore, once the fruit comes in, thin the fruit to increase size and health of remaining fruits.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: Up to 25 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (between 1.5 and 3 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 4-9
- Years to bear: 3-4 years
13. Guava
Just like moringas, guavas also don’t need frequent watering. For example, during the hot summer days, guavas should be watered about twice a month, deeply.
However, during the winter, this tree is almost resistant to drought and thus, you can just water it sparingly. Plus, they also have shallow roots that absorb nutrients and water rapidly.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: 20 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (between 6 and 10 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 9-12
- Years to bear: 3-5 years
14. Mulberry
One of the most outstanding things about mulberry is that they require minimal care. There are three different types of mulberries – white, black, and red with black being the most flavorful one.
This tree likes well-drained, moisture-retentive, deep soil. There are not that many care tips when it comes to mulberry as it requires very little.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: 30-60 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually small size (around 2 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 5-10
- Years to bear: 8 years
15. Banana
Not only is a banana a tropical fruit, but the tree also originates in rainforests. Therefore, it requires quite a lot of water and a lot of moisture in the air. Moreover, bananas do best when planted in groups next to each other. This way, the leaves retain moisture.
When it comes to watering, just water it so the soil stays evenly moist but never becomes soggy.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: 10 ft. to more than 20 ft., depending on variety
- Average fruit size: Usually big size (about 17 cm long)
- Best for Grow Zones: 10a or 10b
- Years to bear: 1 year
16. Nectarine
Nectarines require a certain level of care and maintenance but bear extremely delicious fruit. Ideally, you should plant multiple trees as it will improve pollination.
The trees that were recently planted should get about 2 gallons of water weekly. The trees should also be pruned every year for increased fruit production. You should also thin out the smaller nectarines while the tree is still growing and practice pest control.
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average tree size: Approximately 25 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (around 7 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 5-9
- Years to bear: 3-4 years
17. Avocado
The main care tip to remember when it comes to avocado is to always keep the soil consistently moist. This plant can also be deep watered, but it should only be done infrequently.
The avocado tree should also always be kept in a warm location with a lot of sun. In order to make sure that everything is going in the right direction, check the leaves of the plant. Their color should be something between green and yellow.
- Growth rate: Fast
- Average tree size: 15-20 ft.
- Average fruit size: Usually medium size (between 4 and 7 cm in diameter)
- Best for Grow Zones: 10 – 12
- Years to bear: 3-4 years