Oklahoma has a temperate continental climate with hot summers, cool to cold winters, and frequent weather changes throughout the year. The state experiences strong seasonal contrasts, including periods of heat, drought, heavy rain, and occasional winter freezes. These shifting conditions play an important role in determining which plants and fruit trees grow successfully.
Rainfall in Oklahoma varies by region, with the eastern part receiving more moisture and the western areas being drier and more prone to drought. Spring and early summer usually bring the most rain, while late summer can become very hot and dry. Strong winds and storms are also common, so plants must be able to handle environmental stress.
The growing season in Oklahoma is generally long, allowing many fruit trees enough time to flower, develop fruit, and mature before winter. However, sudden late frosts in spring can sometimes damage blossoms, making frost tolerance an important characteristic for successful fruit production.
Fruit trees that grow well in Oklahoma are typically heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and adaptable to different soil types. Trees that can handle both summer heat and occasional winter cold perform best. Deep-rooted varieties are especially valuable because they can access moisture during dry periods.
Good orchard management is important due to Oklahoma’s variable climate. Planting trees in full sunlight, improving soil drainage, mulching to conserve moisture, and protecting young trees from strong winds all help improve growth and fruit yields. Proper watering during dry spells is also essential.
Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Oklahoma
Peach Trees
Peach trees are among the best fruit trees for Oklahoma, thriving in the state’s hot summers and mild to moderate winters. Low to medium-chill varieties like Redhaven, Elberta, Ranger, and Harvester require 500-850 chill hours that most of Oklahoma provides.
Oklahoma peaches develop exceptional sweetness in the warm climate, and the state has a long tradition of peach cultivation. Proper site selection on elevated areas with good air drainage helps avoid late frost damage, and with disease management, peaches produce reliably throughout Oklahoma.
Pecan Trees
Pecan trees are native to Oklahoma and represent the state tree, thriving throughout Oklahoma’s diverse regions with exceptional adaptation. Varieties like Pawnee, Kanza, Mohawk, and Caddo are specifically selected for Oklahoma conditions and produce high-quality nuts.
These large, long-lived trees tolerate Oklahoma’s heat, drought, alkaline soils, and variable rainfall while providing valuable nut crops and shade. Oklahoma ranks among the top pecan-producing states, and pecans are among the most reliable and economically valuable fruit and nut trees for the state.
Apple Trees
Apple trees grow successfully in Oklahoma when appropriate low to medium-chill varieties are selected for different regions of the state. Varieties like Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Arkansas Black, and Mollie’s Delicious require 400-800 chill hours and perform well across Oklahoma.
Northern Oklahoma receives more chill hours and can grow a wider range of varieties, while southern areas require careful low-chill variety selection. Oklahoma apples benefit from disease management programs for cedar apple rust and fire blight, but with proper care they produce reliably.
Pear Trees
Pear trees, particularly Asian pear varieties and fire blight-resistant European types, thrive in Oklahoma’s climate. 20th Century, Shinseiki, and Hosui Asian pears are excellent choices, while Kieffer, Orient, and Warren perform well among European types.
Fire blight resistance is critical given Oklahoma’s humid springs, making variety selection crucial for success. Pears handle Oklahoma’s heat and variable moisture well, and they’re generally more low-maintenance than apples while producing sweet, juicy fruit with proper cross-pollination.
Plum Trees
Plum trees excel in Oklahoma, with Japanese, European, and hybrid varieties all producing well throughout the state. Methley, Bruce, Santa Rosa, and AU-Rosa are excellent Japanese plums, while Stanley and Italian plums work in northern areas. Chickasaw plum, a native species, thrives throughout Oklahoma and produces small, tart fruits.
Oklahoma’s climate provides adequate chilling for most plums, and these adaptable trees handle heat, drought, and variable conditions while producing reliable crops with minimal intervention.
Fig Trees
Fig trees thrive throughout Oklahoma, particularly in central and southern regions where winters are mild enough for reliable survival. Celeste, Brown Turkey, Texas Everbearing, and Alma are excellent varieties for Oklahoma that tolerate heat and produce abundantly.
Figs may die back in harsh northern Oklahoma winters but often regrow and fruit on new wood. These low-maintenance trees require minimal care, tolerate Oklahoma’s alkaline soils and heat, and often produce two crops annually in favorable locations.
Persimmon Trees
Both native American persimmons and Asian persimmon varieties grow excellently in Oklahoma’s climate. American persimmons are native throughout the state and exceptionally well-adapted, while Fuyu and other Asian varieties succeed with proper selection of cold-hardy cultivars.
Persimmons tolerate Oklahoma’s heat, drought, alkaline soils, and variable conditions while requiring minimal care. They provide sweet fall fruit, attractive foliage, and are virtually pest-free, making them among the easiest fruit trees for Oklahoma gardeners.
Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranate trees thrive in Oklahoma’s hot summers and mild winters, particularly in central and southern regions. Wonderful, Salavatski, and Russian varieties produce well in Oklahoma conditions, tolerating heat and drought exceptionally well once established.
Some varieties may experience winter damage in northern Oklahoma during severe cold, but they often regrow from roots. Pomegranates are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and produce antioxidant-rich fruit while providing beautiful flowers and fall color.
Apricot Trees
Apricot trees can succeed in Oklahoma though they’re challenging due to early blooming that makes them vulnerable to late spring frosts. Varieties like Moorpark, Goldcot, and Puget Gold are options for Oklahoma, particularly when planted on north-facing slopes to delay bloom.
While not every year produces crops due to unpredictable spring weather, apricots can thrive during favorable seasons. The beautiful early flowers and delicious fruit in successful years make apricots worth attempting for adventurous Oklahoma fruit growers.
Cherry Trees
Sour cherry varieties like Montmorency and North Star can succeed in northern Oklahoma where adequate chill hours are available. Sweet cherries are more challenging and generally not recommended for most of Oklahoma due to heat and inconsistent chilling.
Sour cherries tolerate Oklahoma conditions better and are self-pollinating, making them more practical for home orchards. While cherries face challenges from Oklahoma’s heat and variable spring weather, sour varieties can produce reliably in appropriate microclimates with good air drainage.
Jujube Trees
Jujube trees are exceptionally well-suited to Oklahoma’s climate, tolerating extreme heat, drought, cold, and alkaline soils with minimal care. Varieties like Li, Lang, and Shanxi Li produce crisp, apple-like fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried like dates.
Jujubes are virtually pest-free, require minimal water once established, and thrive in conditions that stress many other fruit trees. These Asian fruits are becoming increasingly popular in Oklahoma as growers discover their exceptional adaptability and low-maintenance characteristics.
Mulberry Trees
Mulberry trees thrive throughout Oklahoma, tolerating the state’s heat, drought, alkaline soils, and variable conditions with remarkable resilience. Pakistan, Illinois Everbearing, and native red mulberries all grow vigorously and produce abundant sweet berries.
These fast-growing trees begin fruiting within a few years, require virtually no pest management, and tolerate urban conditions excellently. Mulberries produce prolifically from late spring through summer, and while messy, they’re among the most reliable and low-maintenance fruit trees for Oklahoma.
Blackberry and Dewberry
Blackberries and native dewberries, while technically brambles rather than trees, grow as substantial woody plants producing abundant fruit in Oklahoma. Varieties like Kiowa, Ouachita, and Natchez blackberries are specifically bred for southern conditions and tolerate Oklahoma’s heat.
Native dewberries thrive throughout the state with zero care. These productive brambles require minimal maintenance while providing early summer harvests of sweet, flavorful berries, and they’re well-adapted to Oklahoma’s climate and soil conditions.
Mayhaw Trees
Mayhaw trees thrive in eastern Oklahoma’s wetter regions, producing tart, cranberry-like fruits perfect for making the famous Southern mayhaw jelly. These small trees tolerate Oklahoma’s heat and humidity while preferring moist to wet soils where other fruit trees struggle.
Mayhaws bloom early in spring and produce fruit in May, and they’re well-adapted to Oklahoma’s eastern regions where they represent important traditional Southern fruit crops experiencing renewed interest.
Mexican Plum
Mexican plum is native to Oklahoma and produces small, tart plums perfect for jellies while providing beautiful spring flowers. These tough native trees thrive in Oklahoma’s limestone soils, tolerate drought and heat, and require no spraying or special care.
While the fruits are too tart for fresh eating, Mexican plums are prized for their ornamental white flowers, native adaptation, wildlife value, and traditional use in preserves, representing excellent low-maintenance trees perfectly suited to Oklahoma conditions.
Chickasaw Plum
Chickasaw plum is another native Oklahoma fruit tree producing small, red to yellow plums on thicket-forming shrubs or small trees. These exceptionally hardy natives tolerate Oklahoma’s worst drought, heat, and poor soils while producing fragrant white flowers and tart fruits.
Chickasaw plums spread through root suckers and are best for naturalized areas where their spreading habit is acceptable. The fruits make excellent jellies and preserves, and the trees provide important early nectar for pollinators and food for wildlife.
Pawpaw Trees
Pawpaw trees grow in eastern Oklahoma’s forests and can be cultivated in home orchards, producing tropical-tasting fruits despite cold-hardiness. These understory trees prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, and they require cross-pollination from genetically distinct trees.
Pawpaws take several years to begin fruiting but produce unique custard-like fruits with exotic flavors. Eastern Oklahoma’s climate and soils suit pawpaws well, and these natives are gaining popularity among fruit enthusiasts seeking unusual, locally-adapted fruits.
Crabapple Trees
Crabapple trees grow excellently throughout Oklahoma, providing spectacular spring flowers and tart fruits for jellies and preserves. Disease-resistant varieties like Dolgo, Chestnut, and Prairie Fire thrive in Oklahoma’s climate and tolerate heat and variable conditions.
Crabapples are more adaptable and disease-resistant than full-sized apples while producing abundant small fruits. Their reliability, ornamental qualities, and tolerance of Oklahoma’s alkaline soils and climate extremes make them valuable dual-purpose trees providing both beauty and edible harvests.