A sprawling orchard should be a staple of any functional homestead.
If you’re establishing a homestead on your land, choosing the right trees to plant could make or break your future success.
There are so many tree species that can provide for you and your family, whether you want to eat, build with, or sell what they produce.
It’s time to start planning your homestead orchard!
17 Trees Every Homesteader Should Grow
Here are some of the best trees to plant in your orchard, offering everything from fruit and nuts to firewood and herbal remedies.
These trees are just the beginning of your options – there are hundreds of species that could be ideal for your particular environment and homesteading needs.
1. Apples (Malus domestica)

Take a look at an average homestead in the US, and you are sure to find at least one apple tree growing there. There are near-endless reasons for homesteaders to plant them.
First, apples are incredibly useful fruits. They can be incorporated into both sweet and savory meals, made into delicious desserts and pastries, and cooked down into applesauce.
Beyond simple meals, you can also use apples to produce your own homemade cider and cider vinegar. They can be stored in the pantry or cellar for up to 3 weeks and will stay in the fridge even longer.
There are apple tree varieties to suit most climate and growing needs. Some of the more popular are Red Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
USDA Growing Zone: 2-9
Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide
2. Plum (Prunus spp)

Another super flexible fruit tree that is a must-grow for homesteaders is the plum tree. Compared to other fruit species, plum trees are easy to grow and relatively low-maintenance.
Their fruits are juicy and delicious, able to be turned into jams, savory sauces, wines, cakes, and eaten straight from the tree (depending on the variety).
When choosing a plum tree you have the option of European, Japanese, American, and specialty varieties. Which group you choose from will depend on whether you want fruits for fresh eating, suitability for cold climates, more disease and drought resistance, etc.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 15-25 feet across
3. Pear (Pyrus spp)

Another excellent cool climate tree for producing delicious fruits is the pear tree. Pears are great for snacking, baking, desserts, and even making pear butter!
One of the major benefits of pear trees in your home orchard is how easy they are to care for compared to other fruit trees. If you’re planting fruit trees for the first time, pears are a great choice for beginners.
They are also heavy producers, guaranteeing a spectacular windfall for your family each year.
The Anjou, Bartlett, and Bosc are some examples of popular and accessible pear varieties.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, with a similar spread
4. Lemon (Citrus x limon)

Lemons are an invaluable crop to have on hand. Not only are they a staple citrus fruit in cooking and baking, but their uses also extend to homemade cleaning products, fragrances, skincare, and more.
Lemon trees are a must-have for a homestead if you are in a climate that will accommodate them.
Lemon trees grow best in a tropical or subtropical climate, but some cold-hardy varieties like the Meyer can fruit in zone 8. Homesteaders living in cooler regions will do best growing an indoor dwarf lemon variety.
USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 10-15 feet across
5. Mulberry (Morus spp)

A hands-off wonder, the mulberry will flourish with little attention, producing tons of sweet, delicious fruits every year.
While the fruits can create a mess in summer, it is well worth the food your homestead will receive from this fast-growing tree.
The three main types of mulberry trees are black, red, and white mulberry. The white mulberry is invasive in some areas, so it is best to plant the red or black varieties.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
Mature Size: 30-50 feet tall, 30-40 feet across
6. Elderberry (Sambucus spp)

While elderberry shrubs are typically found growing in the wild, they can also be grown at home where you can reap the nutritional and medicinal benefits of their white spring blossoms and purple berries.
Elderberry shrubs are easy to grow, easy to propagate, very cold hardy and due to their small size, they will fit neatly into your landscape without taking too much space.
Keep in mind while the berries and blossoms are edible, the rest of the plant is toxic.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 8 feet across
7. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp)

Here’s an unconventional homesteading option for you – the serviceberry is another berry tree beloved by experienced foragers, but it should not be underestimated in the home orchard.
Serviceberry trees produce delicious berries that are a mix between blueberry and strawberry. It is also an ideal substitute for homesteaders with soil too acidic to plant blueberry bushes.
Serviceberries are beloved by wildlife, so consider some bird-proof netting if you do plant serviceberry bushes.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 15-25 feet across
8. Persimmon (Diospyros spp)

Another unconventional fruit tree option for your homestead orchard is the persimmon, which produces large orange fruits that look gorgeous in the fall landscape.
When picked at the right time they are like a perfectly sweet dessert, and also taste amazing when dried.
While the Fuyu and Hachiya persimmon are the most common varieties, I strongly recommend growing an American persimmon, our native variety which is more resistant to pests and disease and more cold hardy.
Persimmon trees also share pollinators with apples and pears, so the three will make an excellent fruit-bearing trio on your homestead.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Mature Size: 35-60 feet tall, 20-35 feet across
9. Olive (Olea europaea)

Homesteaders in warm climates, specifically zone 9 and above, should prioritize planting olive trees on their property.
Olive trees are heavy producers, and while harvesting and processing olives may take a little time and extra equipment to figure out, it will pay off in spades.
Fruiting olive trees will produce anywhere from 10 to 50 kilograms worth of olives a year, which you can then cure or press into olive oil which you can use in countless ways, as well as give to friends and family or sell by the bottle.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 10-15 feet across
10. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Another must-have for a cold hardy homestead is the black walnut, a native tree that has a number of useful purposes, including providing edible walnuts, and high-quality fine-grained wood that can be used to build furniture.
Black walnut oil also has a long history of medicinal usage, and walnut shells can be used as a natural scrubbing brush.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Mature Size: 50-75 feet tall, 30-50 feet across
11. Chestnut (Castanea spp)

Chestnuts are a highly underrated food crop in the US. They are high in carbohydrates, vitamins C, and B, and other essential nutrients.
You can choose between European, Chinese, and Japanese chestnut trees. You can also plant the native American chestnut, though it is very high maintenance due to its susceptibility to chestnut blight.
Keep in mind that chestnut trees can grow to enormous heights and you will need at least two for cross-pollination, so you’ll need a considerable amount of extra space to grow fruiting chestnut trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
Mature Size: 60-100 feet tall, 35-55 feet across
12. Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Oak trees are a useful species for homesteaders for two reasons; first, they are an excellent source of hardwood, giving you a year-round supply of firewood if you plant enough.
And second, their acorns are edible and can be processed into a useful gluten-free flour.
Acorns require a lengthy leaching process to be made edible, due to the high amount of bitter tannins they contain.
If you plan to harvest your acorns, I recommend planting burr oak as its acorns are much sweeter than other oak varieties.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Mature Size: 70-80 feet tall, with a similar spread
13. Birch (Betula spp.)

Birch trees are a wonderful addition to homesteads in cooler climates, where they can be used as windbreaks and shade trees, and their timber can be used for firewood and woodworking projects.
Best of all, birch trees can be tapped for spring sap, which can be boiled down into a sweet syrup. Not only will you have a supply of natural syrup, but the price of birch syrup is much higher than maple if you choose to sell.
USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
Mature Size: 30-70 feet tall, 20-40 feet across
14. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Speaking of syrup, the sugar maple tree is a guaranteed winner for homestead owners.
It’s a beautiful specimen, providing stunning ornamental value in fall, and its hardwood timber can be used to build furniture and keep your fireplace burning through the coldest months of the year.
Most importantly, the sugar maple tree produces unprocessed nutrient-rich maple sap, which can be boiled down into delicious maple syrup.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Mature Size: 60-75 feet tall, 40-50 feet across
15. Pine (Pinus spp)

If you need firewood, building materials, or windbreak trees for your homestead, pine trees are an easy choice. They grow quickly in a wide range of climates.
There are many varieties of pine trees to choose from, so you can find the right type to fit your growing zone, soil type, and homesteading needs. Some also produce edible pine nuts and medicinal resin.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
Mature Size: Sizes will vary significantly depending on the variety
16. White Willow (Salix alba)

Another beautiful tree with multiple uses, the white willow contains a glucoside called salicin in its inner bark.
Salicin is the active ingredient in aspirin, and is an unprocessed form of pain relief and anti-inflammatory, providing natural medicine for your homestead.
It has been used as an effective herbal remedy for thousands of years. Learn how to make your own Willow Bark ‘Aspirin’ here.
Willow branches can also be used to make baskets, fencing, chairs, and more.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Mature Size: 50-80 feet tall, 40-70 feet across
17. Moringa (Moringa oleifera)

For homesteaders in hot climates, particularly tropical or subtropical, the moringa tree is well-worth considering.
Moringa, a native of Northern India, has been dubbed the “Tree of Life” due to its edible green leaves which are packed with incredible nutrients.
Moringa leaves contain high levels of vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and a range of other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
If you’re looking to grow your own herbal medicines on your homestead, the moringa is a must-have.
USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
Mature Size: 25-35 feet tall, 15-25 feet across
