For avid gardeners, establishing a variety of edible fruit trees can prove a challenge – but the results are always worth it! And for gardeners whose property falls under USDA hardiness zone 7, there are many excellent fruit tree varieties to choose from.
Zone 7 is notable for its balanced, moderate climate – while it is not quite hot enough for more tropical and exotic fruit species, the majority of classic US favorites, like apples, pears and peaches, will grow bountifully in this range.
And many of these fruit trees are accessible no matter what kind of property you have or what size your garden is. There are plenty of suitable standard-sized, semi-dwarf and dwarf trees for zone 7 growers.
12 Fruit Tree Varieties for Zone 7
1. North Star Cherry (Prunus cerasus ‘North Star’) – Dwarf
Engineered in 1950 at the University of Minnesota, the North Star is a hybrid cultivar of the English Morello and the Serbian Pie No. 1, designed to be hardy, disease-resistant, and compact as a dwarf variety.
Growing to only 10 feet tall, the North Star is a perfectly convenient cherry tree, able to fit into the smallest garden. What is more, it produces a large amount of small, tart fruits that can ripen on the branches for days without falling. The self-pollinating nature of this cultivar only adds to its convenience, as one tree will be enough to produce abundant juicy cherries.
Choose an elevated site for the North Star with good air circulation and full sun exposure. It is best grown in moist, well-draining soil, but is otherwise unfussy about soil type. Consider pruning in winter to boost fruit production and improve its appearance in the growing season.
Growing Zones: 4-8
Average Size at Maturity: 8-10 feet tall, with a 6-8 foot spread
Fruiting Season: Mid-Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
2. Celeste Fig Tree (Ficus carica ‘Celestial’)
Fig lovers can’t go wrong with the Celeste fig, one of the most widely planted fig trees in the US. It is popular for a reason – mostly for its rich, buttery, violet-skinned fruits that are not only an excellent edible crop but look beautiful when growing on the tree.
The Celeste fig tree itself is a delightful visual addition to your garden and home orchard – with its large lobed leaves and interesting branching habit, it adds an exotic touch to the landscape. While they are not technically dwarf trees, the Celeste varies in size from short and shrubby to being a medium-sized fruit tree.
While the Celeste fig is suitable for zone 7, it should be planted in a sheltered location, and some die back is expected over winter. It will also benefit from mulching and extra winter protection when temperatures drop below 15 degrees.
Other Common Names: Sugar Fig, Celestial Fig
Growing Zones: 6-10
Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 feet tall, with a similar spread
Fruiting Season: Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
3. Damson Plum (Prunus ‘Blue Damson’) – Standard, Dwarf
Another highly popular zone 7 fruit tree variety is the Damson plum, known for its beautiful purple-blue fruits and clusters of white spring flowers.
These trees are hardy and exceptionally bountiful, and you may find yourself with more plums than you can possibly use! Keep in mind too that Damsons are rarely eaten fresh due to their tart taste, but they are excellent for use in cooking, baking, and making preserves.
Though it typically comes in a standard size, the Damson does offer a dwarf variety and is also self-fruitful, so only one tree is necessary. No matter the space you’re working with, a Damson plum tree is a worthwhile option.
While the Damson is hardy and typically unfussy about soil conditions, it will grow best in deep, loamy, well-draining soil. pH levels are of little consequence for these trees.
Other Common Names: Mountain Damson, Bitter Damson, Damascene, Shropshire Prune
Growing Zones: 5-9
Average Size at Maturity: 10-12 feet tall, with a similar spread (Dwarf), 15-20 feet tall, with a similar spread (standard)
Fruiting Season: Late Summer
Available at: Nature Hills
4. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
More of a shrub than a tree, the American elderberry is a good choice for zone 7 gardeners who want an attractive fruit tree that will fill a smaller space. It grows to just 12 feet tall and has an upright, vase-shaped growth habit comprised of tropical-looking bright green leaves.
But the two most notable features of the elderberry tree are its petite white flowers and tiny dark purple berry-like drupes. Both are edible, often used in cooking, baking, and winemaking, and both add considerable ornamental value in spring and summer. According to the West Virginia University Extension, it has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine.
Not only is the elderberry beautiful, but it is a useful landscaping and wildlife plant. It can be used as both a windbreak and shelterbelt and provides food and shelter to local wildlife. It should be planted in moist, well-draining soil with a moderately acidic pH and full sun exposure.
Other Common Names: American Elder, Common Elderberry
Growing Zones: 3-9
Average Size at Maturity: 8-12 feet tall, with a similar spread
Fruiting Season: Late Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
5. Fuyu Persimmon (Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’)
While the persimmon isn’t the first fruit of choice for most US gardeners, that may be changing as Americans turn to more exotic and unusual fruit tree varieties to add to their home orchards. The Fuyu is the most common type of persimmon, native to India and East Asia, and bears large sweet fruits that can be eaten straight from the tree or used in cooking and baking.
The Fuyu is a beautiful tree in its own right, with fragrant white flowers and lime green leaves that turn stunning shades of red and orange in fall. But its most distinctive feature is its jagged bark, which protrudes from the tree in alternating squares and rectangles.
Ideally, the Fuyu should be planted in sandy or loamy well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. However, it is tolerant of poor-quality soil just as long as it has adequate drainage.
Other Common Names: Fuyugaki, Fuyu Kaki
Growing Zones: 7-10
Average Size at Maturity: 18-20 feet tall, with a 12-15 feet tall
Fruiting Season: Late Summer to Early Fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
6. Elberta Peach (Prunus persica ‘Elberta’) – Standard, Dwarf, and Semi-Dwarf
A gorgeous heirloom peach variety, the Elberta was developed in the 1870s and has been a beloved part of landscape gardening ever since. Of course, its gorgeous yellow and red blushing fruits are its prized feature – not only are they beautiful to look at but their firm flesh and rich flavor make them one of the best peach varieties for fresh eating.
The Elberta tree is beautiful too, producing clouds of pink and purple blooms in early spring, golden yellow fall color, and a naturally neat, rounded growth habit in maturity. It also comes in three sizes – standard, semi-dwarf, and dwarf.
Zone 7 gardeners could hardly ask for a more satisfying fruit tree. While it is an effective specimen and patio tree, the standard-sized Elberta can even be used as a small shade tree in early summer before it begins to fruit.
Plant these peach trees in moist, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and full sunlight.
Other Common Names: Alberta Peach
Growing Zones: 5-9
Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (standard variety)
Fruiting Season: Late Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
7. Summercrisp Pear (Pyrus communis ‘Summer Crisp’) – Standard, Semi-Dwarf
The aptly named Summercrisp cultivar produces crisp, delicious pears right at the beginning of summer, a perfect treat to help beat the zone 7 heat.
The Summercrisp is attractive, with an architectural branching structure and white spring blooms, but is rarely grown as an ornamental tree according to the University of Minnesota Urban Forestry Outreach. Instead, it is mostly grown in commercial crops and home orchards.
The Summercrisp is available as both a semi-dwarf and standard-sized tree, with the semi-dwarf variety growing around 10-15 feet tall. These trees are naturally disease resistant and extremely cold hardy, so zone 7 gardeners have little to worry about – it is one of the most reliable producers of its kind.
While this tree is highly adaptable to different soil types, it does require consistent full sunlight to ensure fruit and flower production. The Summercrisp also needs to be cross-pollinated, so make sure to plant two compatible varieties.
Growing Zones: 4-8
Average Size at Maturity: 15-20 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 10-15 feet tall, with an 8-12 foot spread (dwarf)
Fruiting Season: Early Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
8. Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) – Standard, Dwarf
Found growing wild throughout the US, the native Black Mulberry is a surprisingly delightful option for landscape gardening. Not only does it produce copious amounts of tasty berries in summer that add color to the summer landscape, but its heart-shaped leaves and dense canopy cast perfect shade at the same time.
The Black Mulberry can be left to grow to its standard height as a medium-sized tree or pruned heavily to the size of a typical dwarf tree. It thrives in full sun, and rich, moist, well-draining soil. It can be sensitive to wind, so consider planting in a sheltered location.
While the Black Mulberry fruit has a delightful taste, potential growers should be aware that these trees can cause a bit of a mess in summer – since it produces multiple crops sporadically and their fruits can stain easily. It is recommended not to plant these trees near sidewalks or driveways.
Other Common Names: Common Mulberry, Persian Mulberry, Sycamine Tree
Growing Zones: 6-10
Average Size at Maturity: 30-40 feet tall, with a 35-40 foot spread (standard) 12-15 feet tall, with a similar spread (dwarf)
Fruiting Season: Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
9. Yuzu (Citrus junos)
While it isn’t as widely known in the US as in its native region of East Asia, the Yuzu is fast becoming a favorite with foodies in the US. Its yellow fruits taste like a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, but they are not often eaten fresh – instead, the entire fruit (including the rind) is used in a number of sweet and savory recipes, particularly in Japanese cuisine.
Its dark, glossy evergreen leaves and white flowers add decent ornamental appeal, and due to its small size looks especially good planted near patios and courtyards. Plant the Yuzu in acidic, well-draining soil in full sunlight.
The Yuzu tree is one of the rare citrus varieties that are cold hardy enough to plant outdoors in zone 7. But it needs considerable winter protection, and often the most reliable way to plant it is in a container.
Other Common Names: Yuzu Citron, Japanese Citron, Yuja Fruit, Hana Yuzu
Growing Zones: 12-18 feet tall, with a 6-13 foot spread
Average Size at Maturity: 12-25 feet tall, with a 6-13 foot spread
Fruiting Season: Winter
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
10. Honey Crisp Apple (Malus ‘Honeycrisp’) – Standard, Semi-Dwarf
Apples are an obvious choice for zone 7 gardeners who want to establish an edible garden, and the Honeycrisp variety is more than suitable – its sweet, juicy, tangy fruits are equally delicious eaten fresh from the tree or baked into pies, cakes, and pastries.
Created by the University of Minnesota as a cross between the ‘Macoun’ and ‘Honeygold’, the Honeycrisp is a bestselling apple cultivar and can sometimes be difficult to obtain – but it’s worth the effort (and the price)!
Semi-dwarf rootstock is available for smaller properties. The Honeycrisp cannot self-pollinate, so it will need a pollinating partner grown nearby, such as a ‘fuji’ or ‘golden delicious’ amongst other varieties. Honeycrisp apples are very thin-skinned, so handle them carefully when harvesting.
Like all apple varieties, the Honeycrisp needs full sun to ensure fruit production. It should be grown in loose, loamy, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Growing Zones: 3-8
Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread (standard)
Fruiting Season: Fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
11. Moorpark Apricot (Prunus armeniaca ‘Moorpark’) – Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf
The lovely, delicate fruits of the Moorpark apricot will provide both visual interest to your garden and a tasty treat throughout the summer. These heritage apricots are known for their exquisite flavor, and for growing and ripening at different times, rewarding zone 7 gardeners with an exceptionally long growing season.
As for their landscape potential, the Moorpark tree is a stunning ornamental that can be used well as a focal point, patio tree, and even grown in numbers as a hedgerow. It is particularly beautiful in spring and summer, first for its fragrant and abundant white blossoms, then followed by its blushing yellow and red fruits.
The Moorpark is also self-pollinating, though an extra tree will significantly boost potential yields. It is a small tree that comes in both dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties. It should be planted in moist, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Growing Zones: 4-8
Average Size at Maturity: 6-8 feet tall, with a similar spread (dwarf) 15-20 feet tall, with a 12-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf)
Fruiting Season: Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
12. Sunglo Nectarine (Prunus persica ‘Sunglo’) – Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf
The Sunglo nectarine is called the “Queen of Nectarines” for a reason! Every year you can rely on it to produce a bountiful crop of unusually large, juicy, mouth-watering nectarines that are picture-perfect for fresh eating or baked into pies and cobblers. The Sunglo is also well-known for its long shelf life, able to be transported long distances and to be kept frozen for months at a time.
It’s beautiful too, particularly in spring when its branches are decorated with bright pink blossoms. The Sunglo is a self-fertile tree, but an additional Sunglo will help to increase potential yield substantially. Unfortunately, most nectarine trees are susceptible to serious pest issues and the Sunglo is no exception – a close eye and careful maintenance are recommended.
For best results, plant the Sunglo in moist, well-draining soil in full sunlight. Regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning are all recommended.
Growing Zones: 5-8
Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 feet, with a similar spread (semi-dwarf) 8-10 with a similar spread (dwarf)
Fruiting Season: Summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
Ideal Fruit Trees For Gardens of All Sizes
Choosing the right fruit tree for your climate and property, and meeting all of its growing requirements isn’t always easy. But with a little extra work and research, you’re guaranteed to reap the rewards for years to come!
Fruit trees provide beauty to your property and nutritious, delicious ingredients to your home pantry. If you are looking for more attractive ornamentals to add to your landscape, check out these ornamental flowering trees for zone 7.
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