Dwarf fruit trees are smaller versions of regular sized fruit trees that are ideal for small yards or even patios and containers. Many people want to grow their own fruit but don’t have the space for a full sized tree. That’s where dwarf fruit trees come in! They produce full sized delicious fruit while taking up a fraction of the space.
One of the biggest advantages of dwarf fruit trees is that many varieties are self pollinating. This means they do not require a second tree nearby to set fruit. Self pollinating dwarf fruit trees are able to use their own pollen to produce fruit. This makes them perfect options for small spaces.
What is a Dwarf Fruit Tree?
Dwarf fruit trees are regular fruit trees that have been grafted onto rootstock that stunts their growth This rootstock limits the size of the tree, keeping it much smaller than a standard tree. Dwarf trees reach mature heights of 8-10 feet, compared to 15-30 feet for regular sized fruit trees
The size limiting rootstock allows the dwarf tree to focus its energy on fruit production rather than growth. Many dwarf varieties start producing fruit in just 1-2 years after planting. They also tend to bear more fruit than standard sized trees.
Benefits of Dwarf Fruit Trees
- Small size perfect for compact spaces
- Produce full sized fruit
- Fruit faster than standard trees
- Higher yield in a small space
- Easier harvesting, pruning and care
- Self pollinating varieties available
Dwarf fruit trees are ideal for:
- Small yards
- Balconies and patios
- Containers
- Urban gardens
They allow anyone, even those with the smallest space, to grow fruit like apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries and more!
Self Pollinating vs Cross Pollinating Trees
Many fruit trees require cross pollination from a different variety in order to set fruit. For example, some apple trees need pollen from a different apple tree to pollinate their flowers. But self pollinating dwarf fruit trees do not require another tree for pollination.
Self pollinating means the tree can use pollen from its own flowers to pollinate and produce fruit. These are sometimes called self fertile trees.
Cross pollinating means the tree requires pollen from a different variety or species to pollinate. So two compatible trees must be planted near each other.
Cross pollinating trees still benefit from increased pollination and yield if a second variety is nearby. But self fertile trees absolutely do not need a pollinator and will produce fruit with no other trees around.
This makes self pollinating dwarf fruit trees ideal for patios, balconies, and other spaces too small for two trees.
Best Self Pollinating Dwarf Fruit Trees
Many stone fruits and citrus trees are naturally self pollinating. Some of the best self fertile dwarf fruit trees include:
Peaches – Most peach varieties are self fruitful, including popular dwarfs like Garden Lady and Bonanza.
Apricots – Self pollinating apricot varieties include Goldkist and Goldcot.
Nectarines – Self fertile nectarines include Garden Delight and Heavenly White.
Plums – Santa Rosa, Methley, and Satsuma plums are a few self pollinating options.
Cherries – Sour cherries tend to be self pollinating, like Montmorency and North Star.
Citrus – Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and more citrus trees are self fertile.
Persimmons – Fuyu, Chocolate and other persimmons do not require pollinators.
Figs – All fig varieties are self pollinating, including dwarfs like Hardy Chicago.
Pomegranates – Varieties like Wonderful and Home are self fruitful.
For other fruits like apples, pears and sweet cherries, be sure to select specifically self pollinating dwarf cultivars if pollinators are not available.
Growing Self Pollinating Dwarf Fruit Trees
Caring for dwarf fruit trees is similar to full sized trees, just on a smaller scale. Here are some tips for growing self pollinating dwarfs:
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Sunlight – Fruit trees need full sun, ideally 6-8 hours per day. Morning sun is especially important.
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Planting – Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Set the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery.
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Watering – Water deeply and regularly during the first year. Established trees need about 1-2 inches of water per week.
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Fertilizing – Feed in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer, and again after fruit set.
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Pruning – Prune in late winter or very early spring. Remove dead/damaged branches and shape the canopy.
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Pest control – Check regularly for pests like aphids and mites. Use organic sprays as needed.
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Harvesting – Harvest fruit when fully ripe. Leave a few fruits on the tree to nourish it for next year’s crop.
With a bit of simple care, dwarf fruit trees will reward you with abundant harvests of full sized, tree ripened fruit! And self pollinating varieties remove the headache of providing pollinators in small spaces.
Popular Self Fertile Dwarf Fruit Trees
Here are some of the most popular self pollinating dwarf fruit trees perfect for containers and small yards:
Dwarf Peach Trees
Garden Lady Peach – Sweet, yellow freestone peach that ripens in late July. Grows to just 6-8 ft.
Bonanza Peach – Heavy bearing semi-dwarf with large, firm yellow peaches. Just 10-12 ft. tall.
Garden Prince Peach – Delicious, bright red peaches in mid summer. Grows 8-10 ft. tall.
Dwarf Cherry Trees
North Star Cherry – Dark red tart cherries perfect for baking. Grows 8-10 ft. tall.
Meteor Cherry – Large, bright red sour cherries. Heavy bearing tree grows 6-8 ft.
Royalton Sweet Cherry – Red sweet cherry, crack resistant. Just 8-10 ft. at maturity.
Dwarf Plum Trees
Spring Satin Plum – Sweet, reddish-purple plums in early summer. Grows 8-10 ft.
Green Gage Plum – Richly flavored greenish-yellow plums. Just 8-10 ft. tall.
Frontier Plum – Sweet, reddish-purple skin and flesh. Heavy bearing dwarf.
Dwarf Pear Trees
Garden Pearl Pear – Sweet, greenish-red pears perfect for snacking. About 8 ft. tall.
Seckel Pear – The classic “sugar pear”, small with a sweet spicy flavor. Grows 10-12 ft.
Orient Pear – Large, long shaped brown pears with superb flavor. Just 10-12 ft.
Dwarf Citrus Trees
Meyer Lemon – The most popular dwarf lemon, with sweeter fruit. Just 6-8 ft.
Calamondin Orange – Very small, loose skinned oranges with zesty flavor. To 10 ft.
Satsuma Mandarin – Cold hardy mandarins, very sweet and seedless. 12 ft. tall.
With the right dwarf variety, you can grow all kinds of fruit even in patio containers! Look for the keywords “dwarf” and “self pollinating” or “self fertile” when shopping. Then get ready to enjoy bushels of fruit from your own mini orchard!
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Fruit trees that are sold as self-pollinating are sometimes also called self-fertile or self-fruitful.
A self fertile fruit tree (or nut tree) does not require pollen from another tree to set a fruit or mast crop. Pollination, whether by wind, insects, birds, or other means, can occur between an anther–the male part of the flower–and a stigma–the female part of the flower–on the same tree or even the same flower.
Other fruit trees require cross-pollination, meaning they will need pollen from a tree of the same genus but a different species or cultivar. Crabapple trees work well as a pollinator for apple trees for this reason.
Read more about Pollination in Fruit Trees.
How Do Self Pollinating Trees Bought Online Work?
Self fertile fruit trees will flower in spring like any other tree, and indeed most need the services of pollinator insects and other animals to achieve fertilization. In the case of self-pollinating trees, pollen transferred from a flower on the same tree or even from different parts of the same flower can achieve pollination.
The fruits we are after are created by the tree as a means of transportation for the tree’s seeds, so we need the pollination to occur and the seed to form.
Since a second tree is not required for pollination, self-pollinating fruit trees can be an excellent choice for small yards where there may not be room for two trees. However, almost all self-pollinating fruit trees will set a bigger and better crop of fruit if they have a pollinator buddy.
If you don’t have space for a second variety yourself, look at your neighbors’ yards. They may have a suitable tree whose pollen you can “borrow,” and the two trees can be mutually beneficial.
Generally, to be effective as a pollinator buddy, the other tree must be less than 100 feet away, and the closer, the better.
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FAQ
Which dwarf fruit trees are self-pollinating?
Which Dwarf Fruit Trees Are Self-Pollinating? Many fruit trees do require cross-pollination, including most varieties of apples, pears, sweet cherries, and plums. However, most varieties of peaches, apricots, nectarines, sour cherries, citrus fruits, figs, and persimmons are self-pollinating.
What is the easiest dwarf fruit tree to grow?
Which is the easiest dwarf fruit tree to grow? One of the easiest fruit trees to grow is the Meyer lemon. Meyer lemons are “self-pollinating,” which means you don’t need a second tree to bear fruit.
What fruit trees pollinate themselves?
Self-pollinating fruit trees include apricots, nectarines, peaches, and sour cherries; whereas fruit trees that require pollinators include apples, pears, plums, and sweet cherries. Trees requiring a pollinator may seem like additional work, however, it’s really just a strength in numbers game.
What is the disadvantage of a dwarf fruit tree?
Dwarf fruit trees, while offering benefits like smaller size and easier harvesting, also have several disadvantages. These include a shorter lifespan, weaker root systems, and potentially lower fruit yields compared to standard-sized trees.
Are dwarf fruit trees self pollinating?
Dwarf fruit trees that are self-pollinating include: Self-sterile (or self-infertile) fruit trees require flower pollination from a different cultivar, of the same species, in order to produce fruit. For example, a gala apple and a Honeycrisp apple would need to be planted near each other for cross-pollination. This category includes:
Are fruit trees self pollinating?
When you choose a self-pollinating fruit tree (aka self-fertile, self-fruitful), you only have to grow one of that particular kind. You can expect it to pollinate its own flowers and set fruit without any outside assistance. Dwarf fruit trees that are self-pollinating include:
Are dwarf apple trees self-pollinating?
Dwarf apple trees are among the easiest fruit trees to plant and grow with minimal maintenance. They are compact, making them suitable for smaller spaces, and are available in self-pollinating varieties. They require full sun, well-draining soil, and regular but not excessive watering. Which fruit trees are self-pollinating?
Are dwarf fruit trees self-fertile?
Dwarf fruit trees also add interest to the landscape and often scent a yard with fragrant blooms. Many dwarf variety fruits are self-fertile, which means that they don’t rely on another tree to cross-pollinate with them in order to produce fruit. Before making a purchase, confirm with your grower or vendor if the tree or shrub is self-fertile.
Do self pollinating fruit trees need a second fruit tree?
Self-fertile or self-pollinating fruit trees do not need another type of fruit tree nearby to complete the pollination process. However, many self-pollinating fruit trees will produce larger crops if another variety is nearby for pollination. So, if you have the space, planting a second fruit tree is often recommended.
Do dwarf fruit trees produce fruit?
These are called self-fruitful or self-pollinating plants, and they will produce well even if only one is planted. Self-pollinating fruits include peach, nectarine, fig, citrus, muscadine cultivars that produce perfect flowers, bunch grape, strawberry and blackberry. What is the disadvantage dwarf fruit tree? Disadvantages.