What are the Best Fruit Trees for Zone 9?

The cities in USDA hardiness zone 9 are characterized by a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and fairly temperate winters. Major cities within this zone include Houston, Texas, and St. Augustine, Florida. The average coldest temperatures for this zone ranges from 20 to 35 degrees F. Gardeners planting fruit trees in zone 9 need to select varieties that can withstand high levels of humidity and heat.

Jonafree Apple

Jonafree apple trees (Malus 'Jonafree') are semi-dwarf cultivars that reach up to 15-foot high with similar spreads. These ornamental fruiting trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, thriving in slightly acidic soils in fully sunny locations. White blossoms flower in May followed by red and yellow, tart apples that ripen in September. The Jonafree apple tree is prone to catching powdery mildew disease.

Chickasaw Plum

The Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia), also called the sandhill plum, is a small, perennial tree that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. Chickasaw plum trees typically grow between 15- and 30 feet tall. Fragrant white flower clusters bloom from February until May. Edible red fruit matures in mid-summer. Ripened plums can be eaten fresh or made into preserves.

Japanese Apricot

The Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) is a fruit tree native to Asia and winter hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9. This fruit tree reaches heights up to 20 feet with similar spreads. Fragrant pink blossoms appear in the winter, and the fuzzy, yellow or green apricots mature in the summer. The apricots are bitter when eaten fresh, but typically make good preserves and jams. Japanese apricot trees grow best in acidic loamy soils in fully sunny locations.

Black Cherry

Black cherry trees (Prunus serotina) are indigenous to Central America, Mexico and the eastern regions of the United States. This large cherry tree variety reaches up to 80 feet in height and 60 feet in width. Fragrant white blooms appear from March until June followed by dark red cherry clusters that ripen from August until October. The cherries are inedible picked fresh, but are often used to make jellies, jams and whiskey. Aromatic leaves smell like cherries when crushed. These fruiting shade trees grow well in partly shady to fully sunny planting sites in USDA zones 3 to 9.

Common Figs

The common fig tree (Ficus carica) is a small, fruiting tree that reaches heights between 15- and 30-foot tall with similar spreads. This fig tree variety thrives in moist soils and partly shady to fully sunny locations in USDA zones 6 to 9. Common figs typically die back during winter months in USDA zones 6 and 7. Green flowers appear in the spring followed by edible figs commonly used in preserve and dessert recipes. Commonly grown cultivars include 'Chicago Hardy' and 'Brown Turkey.' Common figs can be planted in large containers and taken indoors during cold winter weather.

Common Persimmon

Common persimmons (Diospyros virginiana), also called eastern persimmons, are deciduous trees winter hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. These fruit trees grow between 35- and 60-foot high and typically spread between 25 and 35 feet. Persimmon trees feature fragrant blooms of bell-shaped, green or white blossoms in May and June. Edible, orange fruit matures in the autumn. Ripened persimmons can be eaten fresh or used to make jellies, syrups or fruit deserts. These trees prefer partly shady to fully sunny locations and dry, well-drained soils.