10 Best Fruit Trees to Grow in West Virginia

Our experienced writers spend hours deep researching, considering both scientific and experimental info to bring the insights you can trust.  

Quick Answer: Best Fruit Trees to Grow in West Virginia

The best fruit trees suitable for West Virginia are apples, persimmon, plums, pear, cherry, fig, mulberry, pawpaw, elderberry, and grapes. The best time to plant these fruit trees is either in early spring or late winter in the home orchards to establish themselves and produce fruits.

Are you wondering about the best fruit trees to grow in your West Virginia home gardens?

Then, check out this complete guide to help you pick the best fruit trees to grow in West Virginia.

Scroll down for more information!

Best Fruit Trees to Grow in West Virginia

West Virginia has a mostly humid continental climate characterized by moderately cold winters and warm, humid summers.

Many fruit trees do well in the state due to the favorable climatic and soil conditions. But, it is recommended to choose suitable fruit trees to have a successful yield.

Now, let us explore the different fruit trees that can be grown in West Virginia in detail.

1. Apple

Popular Fruit Tree Of West Virginia

Apples (Malus domestica) are common and popular fruit trees in West Virginia backyards as it is hardy, easy to grow, and adaptable.

Why Grow Apple?

Many varieties of apples, including Gala, Golden Delicious, and Fuji can be easily grown and adaptable to the spring and cooler fall months of West Virginia.

The container trees can be chosen for small yard spaces. It can adapt to different soil types and requires little care once established.

Maintenance And Care

Apple trees require full sun and well-drained soil with neutral soil pH (6-7). It requires another apple cultivar or crabapple to cross-pollinate and produce fruits.

Most varieties need 500-1000 chill hours. It needs to be thinned after bearing fruits to get annual harvests.

Prune the trees every year in late winter when it is dormant. It is susceptible to scales, apple maggots, codling moths, fruitworms, and mites.

Click this video for more information on growing apples:

2. Persimmon

Low Maintenance Fruit Tree Of West Virginia

American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a low-maintenance fruit tree that thrives in West Virginia home orchards with routine care.

Why Grow Persimmon?

American persimmons are easy to grow and care for in West Virginia as it adapts well to a wide range of climate zones.

It can tolerate cold and are more pest and disease resistant. It requires low maintenance once established and can handle drought. It also makes great shade trees.

Maintenance And Care

American persimmons prefer light, sandy, well-drained soil. Avoid planting in frost pockets. It requires both male and female trees to produce fruits.

Spread four to six inches of mulch around the trunk to provide good air circulation. Prune lightly annually to remove broken, dead, or diseased branches.

It is susceptible to persimmon psylla, mealy bugs, scales, and fruit flies.

Check out this video for growing and caring for persimmon trees:

3. Plum

Prolific Fruit Tree

Another prolific fruit tree that survives in West Virginia and rewards you with delicious fruits and landscape beauty is the plum tree (Prunus spp).

Why Grow Plum?

Plum varieties are vigorous and prolific that can adapt to a wide variety of soil types. It is suitable for beginner gardeners as it requires little care.

It is relatively free from pests and adds beauty to your backyard. It can also be grown in containers for small space yards.

Maintenance And Care

Plum trees prefer moist, well-drained, and sandy loamy soil and full sun. Avoid planting in frost-prone areas.

The standard trees need spacing of 20-25 feet apart while dwarf types require 10-15 feet apart.

Prune the young trees in spring and established trees in mid-summer. It can be troubled by silver leaf, bacterial canker, pocket plum, and plum aphids.

You may watch this video for tips on growing plums in the backyard:

4. Pear

Pear (Pyrus communis) is an important deciduous fruit tree that is adaptable to West Virginia’s climatic conditions and soil types.

Why Grow Pear?

Pears varieties, including Bosc, Bartlett, and Comice, are fast-growers and easy-to-grow fruit trees in West Virginia. It is hardy and productive giving bountiful yields.

It may tolerate different soil conditions and are resistant to most pests and diseases. You may plant them in containers and enjoy them on the patio if having space restrictions.

Maintenance And Care

Pear thrives in slightly acidic, moist yet well-drained soil away from frost pockets with a preferable pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Most varieties require 1000-1200 hours below 45oF.

Plant the trees with a spacing of 16 feet within the row. Like apples, it requires another cultivar to produce fruits.

It may develop fireblight, blossom wilt, pear scab, or brown rot.

Check out this video for growing pear trees:

5. Cherry

Cherry (Prunus spp) is an attractive and productive fruit tree that can be grown in West Virginia climatic conditions and soil types.

Why Grow Cherry?

Many cherry trees can thrive in West Virginia’s climatic conditions and a wide range of soil types.

Its white or pink blossoms add landscape beauty to home gardens followed by tasty fruits. It doesn’t require a lot of maintenance once established.

Maintenance And Care

Cherry trees prefer a sunny and protected site with moist soils (pH 6-7) and good airflow circulation. Most varieties require about 1000 chill hours to develop fruits.

Drape the trees with wildlife-safe netting to protect fruits from birds after flowering in a fruiting year. Prune the trees every year in late winter to encourage the new fruiting wood.

It is prone to aphids, blight, bacterial canker, and powdery mildew.

The complete growing guide of cherries is covered here:

6. Fig

Figs (Ficus carica) are popular fruit trees that are fairly easy to grow and can thrive in West Virginia home gardens with routine care.

Why Grow Fig?

Many hardy varieties, including Chicago, Celeste, and Brown turkey, are easy to grow in West Virginia and provide bounty fruits. It requires little care once established.

It can be grown in half-barrels or moveable containers and brought inside during harsh winters.

Maintenance And Care

Plant fig trees in early spring or late fall when the tree is dormant with winter protection. Space them about 20 feet away from buildings or trees.

Mulch around the tree to retain moisture and prune lightly every year to remove dead, diseased, or weak branches.

Protect the fruits from birds by draping a net around the plants. It can be subject to root-knot nematodes, leaf spots, rust, and thrips.

Check out this video for tips on growing figs:

7. Mulberry

Mulberry trees (Morus spp) are medium-sized deciduous trees that can be easily grown in West Virginia home gardens for small, tasty fruits.

Why Grow Mulberry?

Mulberry trees are hardy and easy-to-grow fruit trees that can tolerate different soil types. It is prolific and gives bounty fruits.

It is relatively trouble-free and has fewer pests and diseases. It also acts as a good shade tree for landscapes.

Maintenance And Care

Mulberry trees thrive in moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil and full sun. It may tolerate partial shade.

Avoid planting from critical buildings to prevent staining from fruits.

Prune young trees in late winter while dormant to develop strong branches and protect the berries by covering them with netting or fleece.

It is prone to whitefly, scale, and mealybugs.

You may watch this video for growing mulberries in containers:

8. Pawpaw

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is another great addition to your West Virginia home gardens and decorates your landscape with purple flowers in the spring and zesty, tropical fruits.

Why Grow Pawpaw?

Pawpaw can be grown in West Virginia with adequate care for its largest fruits. It can handle some shade and is grown as an understory tree.

It can be adaptable to different soil conditions and types. It is relatively hardy and pest-free.

Maintenance And Care

Pawpaw grows best in slightly acidic, fertile, and well-drained soils shielded from strong winds. It is easy to grow from small container-grown specimens.

 It needs two or more cultivars to produce fruits. Prune the trees lightly to remove dead or damaged branches and apply a layer of mulch to keep the soil moist.

Pawpaw peduncle borer and leafrolling caterpillars can damage young trees.

Check out this video on growing pawpaws in West Virginia:

9. Elderberry

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a deciduous woody shrub-like plant that grows as a small tree in West Virginia’s home orchards and makes a great addition to landscapes and gardens.

Why Grow Elderberry?

Elderberry is a fast-growing shrub that survives in West Virginia with adequate care. It is well adapted to a wide range of habitats and is also used as an attractive landscaping plant.

It can tolerate occasional drought and wet soils. It is relatively trouble-free and has few insect and pest problems.

Maintenance And Care

Elderberry prefers wet yet well-drained, slightly acidic soils and full sunlight. It may tolerate partial shade and can be propagated by hardwood cuttings.

It requires annual pruning in late winter or early spring to prevent root suckers and for renewal. It can be troubled by Japanese beetle, elderberry shoot, and spotted wing drosophila.

If you are interested in growing and propagating elderberries, click this video:

10. Grapes

Grapes (Vitis spp) are small fruits that can be aesthetically pleasing and rewarding grown in West Virginia home orchards.

Why Grow Grapes?

Grapes are vigorous growers that can flourish in West Virginia soil and climates. It adds an element of drama to the garden or landscape.

It will last for more than 30 years and produce fruits within a few years of planting. It can be grown on a stake if low on free space.

Maintenance And Care

Grapes prefer a location with full sun and deep, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.5. Plant trees in a north-south orientation for most sunlight.

Most varieties are self-fertile and require another plant for cross-pollination. It requires 155-160 frost-free growing days to have a bountiful harvest.

It needs yearly pruning, trellis system maintenance, and regular weeding to remain productive.

It can be troubled by Japanese beetles, red mites, flea beetles, spotted wing drosophila, and leaf roller.

Here is a useful video on the complete growing guide of grapes:

What Is The Easiest Growing Fruit Tree In West Virginia?

The easiest fruit tree to grow in West Virginia are apples.

Many apple cultivars are available for West Virginia home gardeners to grow in cold spring and cool fall months. It can easily fit into any yard space, including small varieties for containers if you are short on space.

Also, two cultivars are enough to reward home gardeners with bounty yields. The other trees that could be easily grown in West Virginia are persimmon and plums.

What Is The Best Time To Grow Fruit Trees In West Virginia?

The best time to grow fruit trees in West Virginia is early spring after the soil is workable. The dormant trees can be planted in late winter and early spring.

Soak the roots in water for 30 minutes before planting to keep them moist. Set the trees so that their highest roots are four inches below the soil.

FAQs

Can you grow orange trees in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, citrus trees can thrive outside from April to mid-October. There is little threat of temperatures dropping below 45oF during this time. Myrtle leaf, Mandarin, or Clementine oranges thrive as potted specimens.

Which fruit is native to West Virginia?

Pawpaw is an oblong, greenish-brown, or yellow fruit that is native to West Virginia. It has a sweet, custard-like flavor that makes it ideal for pie, bread, jelly, ice cream, and beer. It has a short shelf life and a brief harvesting season.

What are the most common peach trees in West Virginia?

The most common peach varieties of West Virginia are Loring, Redhaven, and Cresthaven. These varieties are mostly located in Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson, and Morgan. The newer varieties are Glohaven, Bellaire, Bounty, and Earlibrite.

Quick Recap: Top Fruit Trees to Grow In West Virginia

Here is a quick recap of the top fruit trees that can adapt to West Virginia’s climatic conditions.

Fruit treesWhy Grow?
Apples1. Hardy and adaptable to West Virginia climate
2. Different varieties available for different space constraints
Persimmon1. Adapts to a wide range of climatic conditions in West Virginia
2. Drought-tolerant and relatively trouble-free once established
Plum1. Prolific and suitable for small spaces due to its compact nature
2. Productive and rewarding with many fruits
Pear1. Adaptable to different climatic conditions of West Virginia
2. Resistant to many pests and diseases
Cherry1. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions
2. Both attractive and productive
Figs1. Hardy varieties can survive in West Virginia
2. Container-friendly and requires easy care
Mulberry1. Easy-to-grow and prolific fruit tree of West Virginia
2. Relatively trouble-free
Pawpaw1. Hardy and has relatively few pest issues
2. Adds tropical flavor to our West Virginia home orchards
Elderberry1. Adapts to a wide range of habitats and can tolerate drought
2. Acts as an attractive landscape plant
Grapes1. Rewarding and productive
2. Many varieties appropriate for West Virginia climatic conditions

Bottom line

I hope this guide has helped you choose some fruit trees suitable for your West Virginia home gardens and climate.

Please do write to me with your suggestions and feedback on growing fruit trees.

If you find the guide helpful, please pass it on to your friends and family!

Related Content: Best Trees / Veggies / Fruits