Unless you live in very low desert regions, lemon, lime, orange and other citrus trees are not recommended. However, some wonderful fruit trees are suited for higher desert climes. All of these include varieties that are self-pollinating and need a good winter chill for continued fruit production year over year.
Cherries are a popular choice in the higher elevations of the southwest. Their lovely pink and white blossoms adorn the branches in spring or early summer, depending on the variety. As a rule of thumb, sour cherries tend to be self-pollinating while the sweet ones are not. So if you plan to plant sweet cherry varieties, make sure they are near their corresponding pollinators.
Pomegranates do well in arid climates, as the shrubs can handle all-day sunlight and are able to grow well in soils that are more alkaline. Shrubs grow to about eight feet in height, and can be planted to form a hedge if spaced about four feet apart.
Peaches and nectarines usually produce an abundance of fruit annually. Both trees should be kept tightly pruned, as the can reach twenty five feet in height and since nectarines only grow on the tree’s first year growth, pruning will help when harvest time comes around as well.
Plums are less adaptable to the heat of the desert, especially European varieties; Japanese plums do much better. One self-fertile variety is the Santa Rosa. Plum trees can grow to fifteen feet, and fruit ripens in mid-summer.
Fig trees tend to grow fast, reaching heights of 15 to 30 feet. They also tend to grow well proximal to a south facing wall, if not planted too close. Figs often ripen in late summer, and after harvest is a good time to cut back on watering because this will help your trees become more cold-resistant prior to the onset of winter.
