Fruit trees grow the best in the full sun! Most fruit trees will also grow in half-day sun, but they will not bear as much fruit as trees planted in three-quarter or full day sun. With fruit trees, the sunnier the better!
There is one exception to this general rule—paw paws. Native paw paws grow well in shady spots and partially shady spots, but they also do fine in the sun. They’re versatile trees and make excellent additions to the shadier part of your yard that won’t support other traditional fruit trees.
Fruit trees also grow well in almost any soil type… They do well in North Carolina’s red clay soils and in other soil types. If you’re worried that your soil needs an extra nutritional boost before planting, we have fertilizers to help you round out your fruit tree’s nutritional needs!
Be sure that the spot you’re choosing for your fruit trees has good drainage. In general, fruit trees do not do well in spots that flood, have standing water, or stay very wet. They do best in well-drained soil and even on slopes (trees that bloom early like plums, cherries, and peaches particularly enjoy slopes). The paw paw is another exception to the well-drained soil rule—they thrive in low, wet, soggier locations.
