Not every fruit tree is a good fit for New York’s climate, no matter how tempting they look at the nursery. Some struggle so badly that they’ll leave you frustrated instead of fed.
I’ve wasted time and effort on trees that just weren’t meant for the region. Here are the ones you’ll want to avoid.
1. Avocado
Forget about fresh guacamole from your yard if you’re in New York. These tropical beauties need consistent warmth and absolutely hate the freezing temperatures that sweep through the state each winter.
Even with indoor growing, they rarely produce fruit in northern climates. New Yorkers would need a greenhouse with perfect conditions just to keep an avocado tree alive, let alone fruiting.
2. Mango
Nothing says tropical paradise like a mango tree, which is exactly why they don’t belong in New York. These sun-worshippers need consistent temperatures above 40°F to survive, making them impossible for New York gardens.
Winter protection isn’t even an option since they grow too large. The harsh New York winters would kill a mango tree before spring arrived, no matter how much you pamper it.
3. Banana
Technically not trees but giant herbs, bananas require tropical conditions that New York simply can’t provide. They need constant warmth and humidity to produce those familiar yellow fruits we all love from grocery stores.
The first frost would turn them to mush instantly. New York gardeners might grow them as novelty plants in containers to bring indoors, but you’ll never harvest breakfast from them in the Empire State.
4. Citrus
Lemon, lime, and orange trees might seem tempting, but they’re heartbreakers in New York’s climate. These Mediterranean natives can’t handle temperatures below 32°F for any length of time without significant damage.
Container growing and bringing them indoors helps them survive, but fruit production remains challenging. Even the hardiest varieties struggle with New York’s limited sunlight during winter months when they need protection.
5. Papaya
Fast-growing papayas might seem like a good short-season option, but don’t be fooled. They’re extremely cold-sensitive and even a light frost will kill them outright, making them impossible choices for New York gardens.
Their rapid growth doesn’t help when winter arrives. New York’s climate is simply too harsh for these tropical fruits that need constant warmth to develop their sweet, melon-like flavor.
6. Fig
While some fig varieties can survive in protected New York locations, they rarely reach their potential. Cold winters often kill them back to the ground, forcing them to regrow each spring and limiting fruit production.
The short growing season compounds the problem. New York gardeners might get a small harvest after years of careful winter protection, but the effort rarely justifies the meager results compared to truly suitable fruit trees.
7. Lychee
Ever tried growing a tropical rainforest tree in New York? That’s essentially what you’re attempting with lychee trees. They absolutely require high humidity and warm temperatures year-round to survive, let alone produce fruit.
Even greenhouse conditions often fall short. New York’s seasonal climate with its cold, dry winters makes growing these Asian delicacies virtually impossible outside of specialized commercial operations with climate control.
8. Guava
Those sweet, aromatic guavas from the grocery store come from trees that would perish in New York’s climate. Native to tropical regions, they cannot tolerate temperatures below 28°F and prefer consistent warmth to produce fruit.
Container growing isn’t practical long-term either. New York winters would force them indoors for months, where insufficient light would weaken them and prevent the flowering needed for fruit development.
9. Jackfruit
The world’s largest tree fruit comes from massive trees that simply cannot survive New York winters. These tropical giants need consistent warmth and can reach 70 feet tall in their native range, making them impractical even for container growing.
Their size alone makes protection impossible. New York’s climate is completely unsuitable for jackfruit trees, which would die at the first frost without question, wasting both your time and money.
10. Pomegranate
While slightly more cold-tolerant than others on this list, pomegranates still struggle in most New York locations. They might survive in protected microclimates but rarely produce quality fruit due to the short growing season.
Flower development often suffers from spring frosts. New York gardeners in warmer zones might experiment with dwarf varieties and extensive winter protection, but most will find the effort far exceeds the reward compared to better-adapted fruit trees.