This guide will help you find the best fruit trees for eastern Idaho and give you all the tips you need to be successful.

Prepare

Fruit trees will grow best in a location with full sun. Semi-dwarf fruit trees should be planted with 15’ between trees to give them room to grow. They prefer soil that isn’t soggy. There are two factors that are most important to successfully grow fruit trees here. First, make sure they’re able to grow in your cold hardiness zone. USDA cold hardiness zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperatures. Next, choose varieties that can effectively produce fruit before cold fall temperatures set in. To make it easy, choose from our selection of fruit trees and follow the information in this guide. We’re always here to help with advice for the climate you’re planting in.

Fruit trees are classified two different ways. First, “self pollinating” means fruit will form with just one tree. Other fruit trees will be classified as “requires pollinator” which means you’ll need a second variety of the same type that will pollinate the tree, with a similar bloom period. For example, plant a Honeycrisp Apple and a Wealthy Apple. The information below will guide you to find the best pollinators. If a pollinator is required, we’d recommend planting the trees no more than 100’ apart to get the best crop of fruit.

Fall & Winter Care

Water fruit trees late into the fall to help them through the winter months. Wrap the trunks of fruit trees to prevent sunscald damage from freeze/thaw cycles caused by the sun.

Spring Care

Spring Care: Spring frosts may damage or kill new buds on fruit trees. Add a layer of mulch 6” deep to prolong dormancy and help them bloom later. If a spring frost is predicted while they’re blooming, you can cover smaller trees with frost cloth or spray the tree with water in the evening to help protect them through the night. Spraying Dormant Oil Spray in late March before the trees get leaves will help kill any over-wintering bugs and their eggs. To prevent wormy apples or other pests, spraying should begin in May. Please ask for more information.

Cold Hardiness of Fruit Trees (Listed from most cold tolerant)

• Apples
• Pie Cherries
• Plums (European/American)
• Pears
• Sweet Cherries
• Apricots
• Peaches
• Nectarines