The apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) is a popular fruit producer known for its resilience and relatively quick establishment in home orchards. Its growth rate is considered medium to fast, but the precise rate varies significantly based on environment and care. These factors dictate how quickly the tree reaches a mature, fruit-bearing size.
Defining the Growth Rate of Apricot Trees
Apricot trees are categorized as medium to fast growers among common fruit trees. Under optimal conditions, a standard-sized apricot tree will exhibit new growth of 18 to 36 inches per year once established. This rapid growth is most pronounced during the first few years as the tree develops a robust scaffold and root system.
Standard varieties typically reach heights of 15 to 25 feet. Dwarf varieties are intentionally slower-growing, reaching a maximum size of 5 to 8 feet, making them suitable for smaller spaces. As the tree matures and devotes energy to fruit production, the vegetative growth rate naturally slows, settling into an annual new shoot extension of 8 to 20 inches.
Environmental Factors That Control Speed
The environment plays a significant role in determining the apricot tree’s maximum potential growth rate. Apricots require full sun exposure, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to fuel vigorous development. Insufficient light will drastically slow growth and result in a weaker structure.
Soil conditions are equally important, requiring a deep, fertile, and well-drained medium. Heavy clay or compacted soils impede root respiration and nutrient uptake, slowing canopy development. Consistent moisture is necessary, especially for young trees during their first three years, as water stress can halt growth entirely.
The tree’s ability to thrive is also tied to its climate, specifically its chill hours—the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F required to break winter dormancy. Planting a variety that does not receive its required chill hours results in poor bud break and weak growth. The type of rootstock the apricot is grafted onto also pre-determines its growth potential, with dwarfing rootstocks restricting the tree’s size compared to a standard rootstock.
Growth Timeline and Fruiting Maturity
Translating the annual growth rate into a harvest timeline offers a practical measure of progress. A grafted apricot tree, which is the most common type purchased, typically produces a significant yield of fruit within three to five years after planting. Some early-bearing cultivars may begin fruiting in as little as two years.
This short timeline occurs because the tree is grafted onto mature rootstock, bypassing initial juvenile stages. In contrast, a tree grown from seed can take five to ten years before producing any fruit. Standard varieties generally reach their final mature height and full production capacity by their fifth to eighth year, continuing to produce for decades.
Pruning and Training for Optimized Growth
A grower can actively manage and optimize the growth rate through specific annual maintenance practices. Annual pruning during the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring, stimulates vigorous new wood production. Since apricot trees produce fruit primarily on short spurs on one- to three-year-old wood, strategic pruning ensures a constant supply of productive growth.
Training the young tree into a specific structure, such as the open vase or modified central leader system, helps allocate the tree’s energy efficiently. This involves removing competing vertical shoots and selecting strong, well-spaced scaffold branches. The tree’s energy is then directed toward structural integrity and outward growth, supporting future fruit loads.
Fertilization also plays a role in maximizing growth. Young trees benefit from nitrogen-heavy applications in early spring to encourage vegetative expansion. However, excessive nitrogen should be avoided as it promotes soft, late-season growth vulnerable to winter damage.