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Growing edible fruits and nuts

Many species of trees and shrubs that produce fruits and nuts can be planted in home landscapes, including wild species. Shrubs are smaller and preferred when space is limited.

When choosing plants for Minnesota yards and gardens, select cold-hardy varieties for best results.

Find out more about growing stone fruits, raspberries, strawberries, apples and grapes in home gardens and gathering wild foods.

The list of fruit and nut plants in the table is not complete but gives information about many trees and shrubs that can be planted in home landscapes.

Trees/Shrubs Scientific name MN native Pollinator friendly Zone Comments Height (feet) Width (feet)
Apricot Prunus armeniaca No Yes 4-8 2 varieties for cross pollination 12-18 10-15
Blackberry Rubus spp. Yes Yes 5-8 n/a 3-5 6-20
Blueberry Vaccinium spp. Yes Yes 3-7 pH 4.0-5.5; 2 varieties best 5 3
Buffaloberry Shepherdia argentea Yes Yes 2-7 Needs 1 male to pollinate 1 or more females 3-13 5-8
Cherries, Dwarf Sour Prunus kerrasis No Yes 2-5 University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program 6-7 6-7
Cherry, Nanking Prunus tomentosa No Yes 4-6 n/a 6-8 6-10
Cherry, Tart Prunus cerasus Yes Yes 4-7 n/a 10-12 15-20
Chestnuts Castanea mollisima (Chinese) No Yes 4-9 Requires slightly acidic, well-drained soil 40-60 50
Chokeberry, Black Aronia melanocarpa Yes Yes 3-7 Aronia Berry (A. mitschurinii) 5-7 5-7
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Yes Yes 2-7 n/a 5-15 6-10
Cranberry, Highbush Viburnum trilobum Yes Yes 3-7 n/a 3-10 3-6
Currant, Black Ribes nigrum No Yes 3-5 European - nigrum 3-5 3-5
Currant, Red Ribes rubrum No Yes 3-5 n/a 3-5 3-5
Currant, White Ribes spp. No Yes 3-5 n/a 3-5 3-5
Elderberry Sambucus spp. Yes Yes 3-8 May grow but not ripen in Zone 3. Black is edible. 6-10 6-12
Gooseberry Ribes hirtellum Yes Yes 3-8 Most are American x European hybrids. 2-5 3-5
Hardy Kiwifruit Actinidia kolomikta No Yes 3-9 Needs 1 male to pollinate 1 or more females. May not fruit in zone 3. 15-20 20-25
Hazelnut Corylus americana Yes Yes 3-9 Bush-type, being tested in MN. 4-12 3-8
Hickory Carya laciniosa, C. cordiformis, C. ovata Yes Yes 4-8 Shellbark for uplands; Bitternut, Shagbark for lowlands. 60-80 50
Honeyberry Lonicera caerulea No Yes 2-7 Needs 2 compatible varieties. Birds and powdery mildew can be problems. 3-5 3-5
Jostaberry Ribes nidigrolaria No Yes 3-8 n/a 6 4-8
Juneberry Amelanchier spp. Yes Yes 2-5 Serviceberry and Saskatoons; shrub or tree forms 5-15 10-40
Korean Pine Pinus koreansis No No 3-7 Pine nuts, resembles white pine n/a n/a
Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-ideaea Yes Yes 2-7 pH 4-5.5 2-16 1-3
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago Yes Yes 2-8 Prefers moist soil 10-15 6-12
Paw-Paw Asimina triloba No Yes 5-8 Needs 2 varieties 15-20 15-20
Peaches Prunus persica No Yes 4-9 n/a 24 15
Pear Pyrus spp. No Yes 3-9 Fireblight resistant; need 2 varieties 10-40 15-20
Plum Prunus spp. Yes Yes 4-9 Hybrids need 2 compatible varieties; European plums are self-fertile 12-20 8-15
Walnut, Black Juglans nigra Yes Yes 4-6 High quality nuts from select cultivars 100-150 60-120

Author: Gary Wyatt, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2021

Page survey

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