Texas presents a unique challenge to fruit tree growers, combining blistering summer heat, unpredictable winter cold snaps, and challenging soil compositions. Successfully cultivating fruit depends on selecting varieties precisely matched to the local climate and soil conditions. This regional approach is necessary to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Regional Climate Differences in Texas
The immense size of Texas means the state cannot be treated as a single growing environment; growers must first understand their local microclimate. The primary metric for determining suitability is “chill hours,” which measures the cumulative number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Temperate fruits require a specific duration of this cold to properly break dormancy, flower, and set fruit.
Northern and Central Texas regions typically accumulate 700 to 850 chill hours, necessitating the selection of varieties with higher chilling needs. Conversely, subtropical areas of South Texas and the Gulf Coast often receive fewer than 400 chill hours. Planting a high-chill variety in the south results in delayed leaf-out and poor production, while planting a low-chill variety in the north risks early blooming and subsequent freeze damage.
Recommended Fruit Trees for Temperate Zones
Growers in the higher-chill zones of North, Central, and West Texas can successfully cultivate many stone and pome fruits by selecting varieties bred for Texas’s variable winters. Peaches are one of the most widely planted deciduous fruits, but require careful selection based on local chill hour averages. In areas with 700 or more chill hours, varieties such as ‘Harvester’ and ‘Redglobe’ are reliable choices.
For Central Texas, where chill hours often fall into the 450 to 650 range, specialized Texas A\&M introductions like the ‘TexKing’ and ‘TexPrince’ peach varieties are recommended. These cultivars are designed to thrive in the state’s intermediate climate, consistently producing large, firm fruit.
Pears and apples are also excellent options, provided that fire blight resistance is prioritized, as this disease is common in the state’s humid environments. Pears such as ‘Kieffer’ and ‘Orient’ are recommended due to their natural resistance to fire blight and ability to withstand colder temperatures.
For apples, low-chill varieties are required, even in the north, to accommodate mild Texas winters. The ‘Anna’ and ‘Dorsett Golden’ varieties are successful, requiring only about 400 chill hours. Plums, like the ‘Methley’ and ‘Allred’, also perform well, requiring a compatible pollinator to ensure fruit set.
Recommended Fruit Trees for Subtropical Zones
The low-chill environment of South Texas and the Gulf Coast allows for a range of heat-loving and subtropical fruits. Figs are a standout choice, as they tolerate high heat, produce fruit without pollination, and require minimal chill. The ‘Celeste’ fig is highly regarded for its cold hardiness, while the ‘Texas Everbearing’ produces a larger crop over a long season.
Citrus trees thrive in warm, humid conditions, though cold-hardy rootstocks and varieties are necessary outside the immediate Rio Grande Valley. ‘Flying Dragon’ is a popular dwarfing rootstock that imparts significant cold tolerance. Cold-hardy lemons, limes, and certain mandarins are the most reliable choices, especially when planted on a protected south-facing structure.
Pomegranates are another highly successful fruit for subtropical zones, tolerating both heat and alkaline soil. Varieties like ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Texas Pink’ are known for their resilience and ability to handle brief temperature dips into the low 20s Fahrenheit.
Other unique, low-chill options include the Jujube, a drought-tolerant tree producing date-like fruit, and the Pineapple Guava (Feijoa), which is surprisingly cold-tolerant and produces edible, aromatic flowers and fruit.
Essential Care for Fruit Tree Success
Addressing the unique challenges of Texas soil and weather is fundamental to long-term success. Many areas, particularly Central and South Texas, feature heavy clay or alkaline soils, which impede drainage and nutrient availability. Proper soil preparation involves amending the native soil with organic matter to improve structure and drainage, combating common issues like cotton root rot.
Watering techniques must be adjusted seasonally to manage the state’s intense heat and periodic freezes. During peak summer, deep, infrequent watering is preferable to shallow daily sprinkling, encouraging a robust root system capable of withstanding drought.
If a hard freeze is anticipated, especially one dropping below 25°F, deep watering the soil beforehand is recommended. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, insulating the roots.
For subtropical trees planted outside the warmest zones, cold protection is a necessary practice. Simple frost cloth covering protects the canopy from light freezes. For extended cold snaps, measures include banking soil around the trunk for insulation or wrapping the trunk with diluted white latex paint to prevent sunscald.