12 Best Fruit Trees for Colorado Front Range
Many people associate fruit trees with more tropical environments, but what many people don't realize is that there are many different varieties of fruit trees that grow well and even thrive right here in Fort Collins, Colorado! You can enjoy a juicy peach or a delicious apple grown right from your own backyard. If this sounds appealing to you, learn more about the best fruit trees for Colorado Front Range!
Can Fruit Trees Grow in Colorado?
Despite our arid environment, you would be surprised how many different kinds of fruit trees can grow in Northern Colorado. While you might not have much success growing banana trees or mango trees, some great Colorado fruit trees include apple trees, peach trees, plum trees, and even nectarine trees! Below we will go into more detail on specific varieties of fruit trees for Colorado.
What Fruit Trees Grow Well in Colorado?
There are countless fruit trees that grow surprisingly well in Colorado. So, if you are wondering specifically what fruit trees grow well in Colorado, here is a list of suggestions!
Bartlett Pear (Pyrus x 'Bartlett')
Large and richly flavored, Bartlett pears have thin skin and are sweet and tender. They are easy to grow and adapt to most conditions, making them ideal for Northern Colorado! They do need a pollenizer to produce fruit, which we recommend 'Bosc' or 'Anjou' varieties.
Bartlett Pear Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 10-12 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Easy care, edible fruit
Summercrisp Pear (Pyrus 'Summercrisp')
This si an extremely hardy variety of pear tree, making it one of the best fruit trees for Colorado. It blooms early in May and produces fruit that should be harvested in mid-August when crisp and green with a slight red blush. Fruit can be stored for up to 2 months! We recommend using either 'Parker' or 'Patten' varieties as a pollinator for this tree.
Summercrisp Pear Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 8-12 feet
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Attracts bees, attracts birds, edible fruit
Bing Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium 'Bing')
This is possible the most popular sweet cherry variety, known for producing exceptionally large, dark red fruit that is firm, sweet, and juicy. Excellent for eating fresh, canning, or preserves. We recommend planting a pollenizer such as 'Stella' or 'Rainier' varieties for best production.
Bing Sweet Cherry Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 15-20 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Attracts birds, attracts butterflies, edible fruit
Montmorency Cherry (Prunus 'Montmorency')
Montmorency cherries are a brilliant red fruit that is large, tart, firm, juicy. They are perfect for pies or preserves. These fruit trees are vigorous growers and are highly productive!
Montmorency Cherry Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-18 feet
Width: 20-25 feet
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Attracts bees, attracts birds, edible fruit
Honeycrisp Apple (Malus x 'MN 1711')
The charming pinkish-white flowers of this Colorado fruit tree provide a showy spring display, then produce large, red fruit with exceptional flavor and crispness. Great for fresh eating, cooking, or pressing for cider. Plant another apple variety such as 'Red Delicious' or 'Fuji' for the best fruit set.
Honeycrisp Apple Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Edible fruit
Fuji Apple (Malus domestica Fuji)
One of the best home-grown apples, Fuji apple trees offer crisp, sweet, and juicy fruit with skin that ranges from yellow-green with red highlights to mostly red. Exceptional for fresh eating and also great for baking. Fruit is usually ready for harvest in October. Plant a pollenizer such as 'Granny Smith', 'Honeycrisp', or 'Red Delicious'.
Fuji Apple Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-30 feet
Width: 8-10 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Edible fruit, winter interest
Reliance Peach (Prunus 'Reliance')
This is the hardiest yellow-fleshed freestone peach variety available. These medium-sized fruits have a rather dull blush over bright yellow flesh. These peaches are soft and juicy with delicious flavor.
Reliance Peach Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 18-20 feet
Width: 12-15 feet
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Attracts bees, attracts birds, edible fruit
Contender Peach (Prunus x 'Contender')
A freestone peach with bright yellow flesh. Matches 'Reliance' in cold-hardiness and tolerance of spring frosts, making it idea for Colorado growing. Sweet, extra-juicy fruit is an absolute delight for fresh eating, canning, baking, and freezing. Self-pollinating and usually ready for harvest in mid-to-late August.
Contender Peach Tree Characteristics:
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 15-18 feet
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Attracts bees, attracts birds, edible fruit
Santa Rosa Plum (Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa')
A showy display of white flowers in the spring yields an abundant harvest of dark crimson fruit each summer. The fruit has firm flesh with a wonderful flavor for fresh eating. Fruit production is higher when another plum tree is nearby.
