Thinking about growing fruit trees in your California backyard? Not all trees thrive in our unique climate and soil conditions. Some popular fruit trees can struggle with drought, heat, or even become invasive pests in the California landscape.
Before heading to the nursery, learn which trees might cause more headaches than harvest.
1. Bradford Pear Trees
Bradford pear trees might look pretty in spring, but they’re terrible choices for California gardens. Their weak branch structure means they often split and break during our occasional strong winds.
The flowers also produce an awful smell that many compare to rotting fish! Plus, these trees have become invasive in many parts of the country, crowding out native plants that wildlife depends on.
2. Black Walnut Trees
Ever heard of allelopathy? Black walnut trees release a chemical called juglone from their roots, leaves, and hulls that’s toxic to many other plants. Your garden veggies and other fruit trees won’t grow well nearby.
California’s dry conditions also make these trees susceptible to thousand cankers disease. The nuts are delicious, but the hassle of cleaning up the messy hulls and dealing with stained hands isn’t worth it for most homeowners.
3. Tropical Guava Trees
Tropical guavas crave humidity and consistent moisture—two things most California regions lack. These trees struggle during our hot, dry summers and can quickly decline without constant babysitting.
They’re also frost-sensitive, making them unsuitable for areas with even mild winter chills. When stressed, guavas become magnets for pests like fruit flies that will then attack your other plants. Stick with strawberry guava instead if you’re craving this tropical flavor.
4. Non-Native Mulberry Trees
White and red mulberry trees might seem like easy fruit producers, but they’re troublemakers in California. Their aggressive root systems can damage foundations, sidewalks, and sewer lines as they search for water in our dry climate.
The fruits stain everything they touch—patios, cars, and clothing. Birds love the berries too, spreading seeds far and wide. Many California communities have banned these messy trees entirely because they’ve become invasive pests.
5. Cherry Trees That Need Chill Hours
Sweet cherry varieties like Bing and Rainier look tempting in catalogs, but they’re doomed in most California gardens. These trees require 700-900 “chill hours” (time below 45°F) to produce fruit properly.
Most California regions simply don’t get cold enough, long enough. The result? Trees that leaf out but produce few or no cherries. Our warm winters also leave cherry trees vulnerable to pests and diseases that thrive in mild conditions.
6. Peach Trees in Coastal Areas
Dreaming of juicy peaches from your foggy coastal garden? Unfortunately, most peach varieties will disappoint near the coast. The cool, damp conditions promote peach leaf curl disease that deforms leaves and reduces harvests.
Coastal fog also prevents the development of sweet, flavorful fruit. Without enough heat and sunshine, peaches stay small and bland. The humid coastal air creates perfect conditions for brown rot and other fungal problems that can kill entire branches.
7. Water-Hungry Banana Plants
Banana plants might technically be herbs rather than trees, but they’re popular choices for tropical-themed gardens. In California’s drought-prone climate, they’re water hogs that can consume 20+ gallons daily during summer!
Most varieties also need protection from our occasional freezes. The tall pseudostems act like sails in windy areas, toppling easily during storms. For all that trouble, most bananas grown in California produce starchy, barely edible fruit—nothing like store-bought varieties.
8. Female Ginkgo Trees
Ginkgo trees are living fossils with beautiful fan-shaped leaves that turn golden in fall. But female ginkgos produce fruit that smells horrifically like vomit or rancid butter when they fall and rot on the ground.
The stench can be so bad that you can’t use your yard! Since it’s impossible to identify a tree’s gender when young, you might plant a male only to discover years later you’ve got a stink bomb. California’s mild winters mean the fruits decompose slowly, extending the odor problem.
9. Tropical Lychee Trees
Lychee trees might thrive in Hawaii, but they’re exercise in frustration in California. These tropical beauties demand high humidity and hate our dry heat and occasional frosts.
Even in perfect conditions, lychees take 5+ years before producing any fruit. Their shallow roots make them unstable in our occasional strong winds. When stressed by California conditions, lychees become magnets for pests like spider mites and scale insects that can spread to other plants.
10. Invasive Russian Olive Trees
Russian olive trees produce small, edible fruits and have attractive silvery foliage that looks drought-tolerant. Don’t be fooled! These trees have become serious invasive species in many parts of California.
Their thorny branches make them dangerous around children. Birds spread the seeds far and wide, creating thickets that crowd out native plants along waterways. Several California counties have banned these trees entirely, and removing established trees can cost thousands of dollars once they’ve taken hold.