Georgia has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. During summer, temperatures often rise above 85–90°F (29–32°C), especially in the southern and central parts of the state. High humidity levels can make the heat feel even more intense, and afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Winters in Georgia are generally short and mild, particularly in the southern regions. Northern areas, especially in the Appalachian Mountains, experience cooler temperatures and occasional snowfall. However, freezing temperatures are usually brief compared to many northern states.
Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, averaging around 45–50 inches annually in many areas. The state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean influences its weather patterns, sometimes bringing tropical storms or hurricanes.
Cultivating fruit trees in Georgia starts with choosing heat-tolerant varieties that can handle the state’s hot, humid summers and mild winters. Because chilling hours are lower in southern Georgia, selecting varieties suited to the local region is important for proper flowering and fruit set. Matching the tree to the right climate zone improves productivity and long-term health.
Proper site selection and soil preparation are essential for success. Fruit trees need full sun and well-drained soil to prevent root diseases, especially in humid conditions. Adding organic matter and ensuring good air circulation around trees helps reduce fungal problems that are common in Georgia’s warm climate.
Fruit Trees that Grow In Georgia
Peach Trees
Peach trees are synonymous with Georgia and thrive throughout the state, making Georgia famous as the “Peach State.” Varieties like Elberta, Belle of Georgia, and Redhaven are well-suited to Georgia’s climate, requiring 750-950 chill hours that most of the state provides.
Georgia peaches develop exceptional flavor and sweetness in the warm southern climate, and proper variety selection based on chill hours and disease resistance ensures reliable crops of the state’s iconic fruit.
Apple Trees
Apple trees grow successfully in Georgia when appropriate low to medium-chill varieties are selected for different regions of the state. Varieties like Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Arkansas Black require 400-800 chill hours and perform well in North Georgia’s cooler areas.
While more challenging in South Georgia, apples can succeed with careful variety selection, and they benefit from fungicide programs to manage diseases common in Georgia’s humid climate.
Pear Trees
Pear trees, particularly Asian pear and fire blight-resistant European varieties, thrive throughout Georgia with proper selection and care. 20th Century, Shinseiki, and Kieffer pears are excellent choices that tolerate Georgia’s heat and humidity while resisting fire blight.
Pears require cross-pollination from another variety and benefit from being planted on well-drained sites, but they’re generally more low-maintenance than apples in Georgia’s climate.
Fig Trees
Fig trees excel throughout Georgia, tolerating the state’s heat and humidity while producing abundant fruit with minimal care. Celeste, Brown Turkey, and Alma are particularly well-suited to Georgia conditions and often produce two crops annually.
Figs require little to no spraying, handle Georgia’s variable winter temperatures, and begin producing within a few years, making them among the easiest and most reliable fruit trees for Georgia gardeners.
Plum Trees
Plum trees grow successfully throughout Georgia when appropriate varieties are selected, with Japanese and hybrid plums performing particularly well. Methley, AU-Rosa, and Bruce plums are excellent low-chill options requiring 250-500 hours that thrive in Georgia’s climate.
Plums bloom early so site selection matters for avoiding late frost damage, but they’re generally productive and adaptable to Georgia’s soils and growing conditions.
Pecan Trees
Pecan trees are native to Georgia and thrive throughout the state, producing the nuts Georgia is famous for alongside peaches. Stuart, Desirable, Pawnee, and Elliot are excellent varieties adapted to different regions of Georgia.
These large, long-lived trees require space and patience but produce valuable nut crops for generations, and Georgia’s climate provides ideal growing conditions for both commercial and backyard pecan production.
Persimmon Trees
Both native American persimmons and Asian persimmon varieties like Fuyu thrive in Georgia’s climate. American persimmons are exceptionally hardy and native to Georgia forests, while Asian varieties like Fuyu and Hachiya produce larger, seedless fruit.
Persimmons tolerate Georgia’s heat, soils, and humidity while requiring minimal care, and they provide sweet fall fruit along with attractive foliage and pest resistance.
Cherry Trees
Sour cherry varieties grow successfully in North Georgia where adequate chill hours are available, though sweet cherries are more challenging. Montmorency and North Star sour cherries perform reasonably well in cooler Georgia regions requiring 800-1000 chill hours.
While cherries face challenges from Georgia’s heat and humidity, they can succeed in appropriate microclimates with disease management, providing tart fruit for pies and preserves.
Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranate trees thrive in Georgia’s warm climate, particularly in central and southern regions where they tolerate heat and humidity well. Wonderful, Georgia Red, and Sweet are excellent varieties that produce well in Georgia conditions.
Pomegranates are relatively pest-free, drought-tolerant once established, and their beautiful flowers and fall fruit make them valuable dual-purpose ornamental and edible landscape plants.
Mulberry Trees
Mulberry trees are exceptionally well-adapted to Georgia, thriving in the state’s heat, humidity, and variable soils with minimal care. Illinois Everbearing and Pakistan mulberries produce sweet, abundant berries from late spring through summer.
These fast-growing trees begin producing quickly, require virtually no pest management, tolerate urban conditions, and provide excellent shade along with their prolific fruit crops.
Apricot Trees
Apricot trees can succeed in Georgia when early-blooming varieties are planted in protected sites to avoid late frost damage. Goldcot and Harcot are varieties that can work in Georgia, though apricots are less reliable than peaches due to their early bloom time.
While challenging, apricots produce delicious fruit in successful years, and selecting frost-protected planting sites improves the odds of consistent crops.
Jujube Trees
Jujube trees are perfectly suited to Georgia’s climate, tolerating heat, humidity, drought, and the state’s variable soils. Li, Lang, and Shanxi Li varieties thrive throughout Georgia with minimal care and are virtually pest-free.
These adaptable Asian fruit trees produce crisp, apple-like fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried, and they’re among the most low-maintenance fruit trees available to Georgia gardeners.
Mayhaw Trees
Mayhaw trees are native to Georgia’s wetlands and produce tart, cranberry-like fruits perfect for making the famous Southern mayhaw jelly. These small trees thrive in Georgia’s wet, lowland sites where other fruit trees struggle, blooming in early spring and producing fruit in May.
Mayhaws are well-adapted to Georgia conditions, require minimal care, and represent an important traditional Southern fruit that’s making a comeback in home orchards.
Crabapple Trees
Crabapple trees grow well throughout Georgia, providing both ornamental spring flowers and small tart apples for jellies and preserves. Disease-resistant varieties like Dolgo and Whitney thrive in Georgia’s climate and tolerate the state’s heat and humidity.
While primarily grown for ornamental value, crabapples produce abundant small fruits that make excellent preserves, and they’re more adaptable to Georgia’s conditions than many full-sized apple varieties.
Muscadine Grapes
While technically vines rather than trees, muscadine grapes grow as large, woody plants in Georgia and are the state’s most successful grape type. Carlos, Noble, and Scuppernong are classic Georgia varieties perfectly adapted to the state’s heat and humidity.
Muscadines are native to the Southeast, resist diseases that plague other grapes, require minimal spraying, and produce sweet grapes and excellent wine from late summer into fall.
Loquat Trees
Loquat trees thrive in South and Central Georgia, producing sweet, tangy fruit in early spring before most other fruits ripen. These subtropical evergreens bloom in fall and winter, with fruit ripening in March and April when few other fresh fruits are available.
Loquats tolerate Georgia’s heat and humidity, require minimal care, are relatively pest-free, and provide both edible fruit and attractive year-round evergreen foliage.
Pawpaw Trees
Pawpaw trees are native to Georgia and produce tropical-tasting fruits despite being completely cold-hardy throughout the state. These understory trees prefer partial shade and produce custard-like fruits with flavors reminiscent of banana, mango, and vanilla.
Pawpaws require cross-pollination from genetically distinct trees and take several years to begin fruiting, but they’re uniquely adapted to Georgia’s climate and produce exotic fruits unavailable in stores.