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Fruit Trees to Plant for a November Harvest

Fruit Trees to Plant for a November Harvest - Nature Hills Nursery

Charlotte Weidner |

The chill is in the air and a few parts of the country are staring down winter. But for many in warm growing zones with mild winters - It’s your time to shine!

Growing zones 7 are finishing up their harvest season, indoor gardeners and greenhouse growers are still trucking, but zones 8,9,10, and 11 are in full harvest season for a wide variety of fruit tree goodness.

What better way to welcome the last few weeks of fall and first weeks of winter than fresh produce from your own backyard of course!

Many plants in warmer climates are now loving the break from the heat and are entering their mini-second spring. This is the time some plants bloom and it's also late-season harvest time!

Here’s a list of a few Fruit Trees that are still full of bounty in the month of November!

Fruit Trees Ripening in November

Apple Trees

November is still Apple season! The night's chill turns starches into sugars and sweetens many varieties of Apple! Apple trees in warm growing zones are just getting ready and varieties that need a long time on the tree are ready to pick!

  • Arkansas Black
  • Braeburn
  • Cox Orange Pippin
  • Enterprise
  • Fuji
  • Gold Rush
  • Granny Smith
  • Idared
  • Liberty and the USDA Organic Liberty Apple
  • Macoun
  • Melrose
  • Mutsu (Crispin)
  • Newton Pippin
  • Pink Lady (Cripps Pink Variety)
  • Red Prairie Spy Apple Tree
  • Sundowner
  • Winesap

No room for a full-sized Apple tree and its pollinator? Try a 6-In-One Espalier Apple Tree with early, mid and late-season harvests in one high-style grafted tree!

Avocado Trees

It’s the prime Avocado season in warm to hot climates! Time to eat all you can of these nutrient-packed Alligator Pears!

  • Bacon
  • Donnie
  • Fantastic
  • Hall
  • Hass
  • Joey
  • Lila
  • Monroe
  • Zutano & Mexicola Avocado Tree Combo

Banana Plants

Not true trees, but the Red Banana plants are ripening this month too! Several other varieties ripen sporadically when planted in warm climates in the ground.

Cherry Trees

Unfortunately, the Cherry Tree season is over by now, but the Barbados Cherry tree is still having its second crop in warm to hot climates in USDA zones 9-12!

Citrus Trees

It’s also prime Citrus tree season! These juicy delights ripen this time of year, while year-round producing trees are still going strong! Northern growers - those reduced sunlight hours may require a grow light to keep your trees growing green.

Grapefruit

  • Chinese
  • Rio Red
  • Ruby Red - begins ripening in some areas

Lemon/Lime

  • Bearss/Persian Limes
  • Cocktail
  • Genoa
  • Improved Dwarf Meyer
  • Kaffir Lime
  • Key Limequat
  • Lisbon Lemon
  • Mexican Key Lime
  • New Zealand
  • Ponderosa Lemons
  • Palestine Limes
  • Rangpur
  • Thornless Mexican Lime
  • Variegated Pink

Oranges & Mandarins

  • Calamondin & Variegated Calamondin
  • California Honey
  • Fukamoto
  • Miho Wase Hardy
  • Page
  • Robertson Sweet
  • Vaniglia Sanguigno Blood

The Buddha Hand Fruit is ripening now through winter too!

Coffee Plants

Grow your own morning cup of Joe! If you have the room, the climate, and the patience, you can see the lovely Coffee tree fruits ripening and ready to roast in most warm growing zones!

Custard Apple (Cherimoya)

The tropical Custard Apple is getting ripe in November! Try a Honey Heart Cherimoya or Red Custard Apple today!

Fig Trees

Late-season Figs, usually on their second (or breba) crop of the season, are ripening all summer and into fall, often still ripening in November with a smaller crop of these luxurious fruits!

  • Black Mission - Finishing their harvest
  • Brown Turkey
  • Celeste
  • Panache Tiger
  • Violette de Bordeaux

Guava

If you are lucky enough to be able to grow Guava Trees, the Pineapple Guava and White Asian Guava are most likely ripening now!

Jackfruit Trees

Another tree that if you have the room and the tropical climate, you’ll enjoy seeing these large, unique fruit ripening directly on the trunks of your Jackfruit tree! Hardy in USDA zones 9 and up, these trees sometimes produce fruit in cooler climates when kept in greenhouses and bright four-season porches. Look into the incredible Orange Crush Jackfruit Tree available at Nature Hills.

Jujube Tree

You may not have heard of the Jujube, or Chinese Date tree, but these delicious warm climate trees have a load of ornamental and delicious features you are going to be happy to learn about! These trees are hardy in USDA zones as low as 5-6 through 9-10 and the Li Jujube begins to ripen this time of year!

Nut Trees

November is still nut season if the squirrels haven’t made off with your bounty! Time to get ready for all those holiday homemade desserts!

Olive Trees

In the hot, dry, and arid Mediterranean climates of the southern US, Olive trees are beginning to hang heavy with fruit. If you are looking to pick green Olives, now is the time to start preparing for the start of the Olive tree harvest!

  • Arbequina
  • Frantoio
  • Koroneiki
  • Leccino
  • Manzanillo
  • Pendolino

Pawpaw Trees

Big sweet tropical-looking members of the Custard Apple tree family, Pawpaw trees are North American natives and along with their many cultivars. Look for these big fruit trees ripening still in November!

Pear Trees

November is Winter Pear season and several varieties are either still on the tree or ripening this month. Some even continue through the winter months of many growing zones. Remember, Pears do not all ripen on the tree, many Pears can be picked and ripened on the counter or kept for a long period in storage. Pear butter, spiced canned pears, and juice-running-down-your-chin goodness await you!

  • Bosc
  • D Anjou
  • Korean Giant Asian might still be on the tree in early November
  • Luscious
  • Oriental Asian
  • Seckel

Persimmon Trees

You haven’t missed the native American Persimmon tree harvest and it continues through the fall! These American and Asian fruit trees are highly sought after by those that are acquainted with them! of You are a lucky hiker or forager to find one of these natives growing in the wild!

  • American
  • Asian Hachiya Persimmon
  • Fuyu Jiro
  • Hachiya
  • Magic Fountain Weeping

Pomegranate Trees

These winter and Christmastime treats are in full gear! Pomegranates are a welcome brilliant red treat and November means Pomegranate harvest season in warmer climates can enjoy these unique juicy jewel-filled luxury treats! Not ripening off the tree, be sure to pick them at peak ripeness!

  • Desertnyi (Desert Pomegranate)
  • Kazake
  • Parfianka
  • Pink Satin
  • Purple Heart
  • Tom's Red

Weather & Climate Variations

Please remember that weather, a late or early spring, hot summer temps barging in early, very dry summers, and drought-recovering autumns, plus many other variants within your growing zone and even your elevation will greatly affect the precise time your fruit trees flower and fruit ripens! As well as an unexpectedly early or late frost.

Harvest dates can vary depending upon the location in your landscape you are growing your trees in too! Micro-climates around the trees, walls, and structures near them, the soil type - all contribute to fruit development. There is a tremendous amount of variation in ripening dates between zone 4 and zone 9 which can and will, significantly affect harvest dates.

Plus the amount of sun available may have some impact on ripening too. Choose the very best location for your tree before planting! You can always check with your local County Agricultural Extension office for information on the best trees for your area!

Don’t forget to pick up a suitable pollinator for your fruit tree if they need a pollination buddy! And check out high-density planting to save space!

Check out our When to Harvest Garden Blog which explains how you know your fruit is ripe and ready for picking, plus loads of harvest tips and tricks for you!

Double Duty Edible Landscape Plants!

All of these lovely trees offer spring blooms, shade, and sometimes fall color and all increase your property value while filling your pantry with fresh fruit, preserves, delicious baked goods, and sauces for all your favorite recipes.

So get out in the garden with the gourds, Cabbages, late-season veggies, and late-season peppers and tomatoes and harvest your late-autumn goodness today!

The edible landscaping craze is sweeping the nation! Secure your family's food access and self-sustainability, and increase your fresh food variety availability, regardless of the size of your landscape, with easy-to-grow fruit trees from Nature Hills! These double-duty trees and plants are not just healthy food for your pantry but also ornamental flowering landscape additions that provide shade and curb appeal as well!

Happy Late-Fall Season Harvest!

Fall is also the perfect time for warm to hot climate growing zones to get those last trees and shrubs planted! No longer having to contend with summer heat and dry spells, fall and spring are prime planting seasons for you!

Northern and cooler hardiness zones - It’s also time to think about pruning some of your trees and shrubs as they go dormant, but some plants should not be pruned in fall so please read about those here for more about pruning fruit trees in our Garden Blog!

Tasty treats for the cooler seasons await you when you plant one or more of these delicious fruit trees at Nature Hills Nursery! Hurry and reserve yours today so you too can enjoy fruit from spring, summer and fall fruit and beyond - delivered to your doorstep!

As always, head over to NatureHills.com #ProPlantTips for care for garden info and ideas anytime! We’ll be glad to help you select the perfect fruit trees, plant them and care for them, plus so much more!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What fruits are typically ready to harvest in November?
In warmer growing zones 8 through 11, November is an active harvest month for a wide variety of fruits including late-season apples like Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Winesap, as well as avocados, bananas, and an extensive selection of citrus. Zone 9 through 12 gardeners can also enjoy a second crop of Barbados cherries this time of year. If you are in zones 7 and below, your outdoor harvest season is winding down, so consider bringing container fruit trees indoors under a grow light to extend your productivity through the winter months.

Which fruit trees can survive and produce fruit through winter?
Several fruit trees thrive and produce through winter in warmer growing zones 8 through 11, including citrus varieties like grapefruit and Ruby Red, avocados, and late-season apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gold Rush. Barbados Cherry trees continue producing a second crop through winter in zones 9 to 12, and banana plants ripen sporadically in warm climates as well. In cooler zones, citrus trees can be grown in containers indoors with a grow light to compensate for reduced sunlight hours. Focus on selecting varieties suited to your specific growing zone and plan for cross-pollination needs to maximize your winter harvest.

When do apple trees typically finish producing fruit for the season?
Apple trees in warmer growing zones 8 through 11 can continue producing fruit well into November, with late-season varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gold Rush among the last to ripen. Cooler nights are actually beneficial at this stage, as the chill converts starches to sugars and sweetens the fruit on the tree. In zone 7 and cooler, harvest season typically wraps up by late October. If you want to extend your apple harvest across the full season, consider planting a 6-in-1 Espalier Apple Tree, which offers early, mid, and late-season varieties grafted onto a single tree.

Can you still plant fruit trees in November and expect them to establish well?
Yes, November planting can be an excellent time for fruit trees, particularly in warmer growing zones 8 through 11, where mild winters allow roots to establish without the stress of summer heat. In these regions, the cooler temperatures actually encourage strong root development before the next growing season begins. Gardeners in zones 7 and below should move quickly if planting this month, ensuring trees are in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes hard. Visit naturehills.com to find trees suited to your specific zone and get them ordered and planted as soon as possible for the best establishment results.

What late-season fruits should I plant if I want a November harvest?
For gardeners in USDA zones 8 through 11, November is peak harvest season for a impressive range of fruit trees including late-season apples like Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady, along with avocados, citrus varieties such as Ruby Red Grapefruit, and even Barbados Cherry trees in zones 9 to 12. Banana plants and certain other tropical fruits also ripen this time of year when grown in warm climates in the ground. If space is limited, consider a 6-In-One Espalier Apple Tree, which delivers early, mid, and late-season harvests from a single grafted tree. Browse Nature Hills' selection of cold-hardy and zone-appropriate fruit trees now to plan your planting for next season's November bounty.

How do I know when blackberries are ready to pick?
Blackberries are ready to harvest when they turn fully black and pull easily from the cane with little to no resistance. A ripe blackberry will be plump, slightly soft, and deeply colored with no red or purple tinges remaining. Taste is your best final test since truly ripe blackberries will be sweet with just a hint of tartness. Check your canes daily once they begin coloring up, as blackberries can go from underripe to overripe quickly, especially in warm climates.

Which fruit trees produce the best fall and late-season harvests in colder climates?
For gardeners in cooler growing zones, late-season apple varieties are your best bet for fall harvests, with varieties like Fuji, Granny Smith, Gold Rush, Winesap, and Arkansas Black ripening into November as chilly nights convert starches to sugars for exceptional sweetness. Zone 7 growers are typically wrapping up their harvest season by November, while those in zones 8 and above enjoy a much wider range of options. If space is limited, a 6-in-One Espalier Apple Tree gives you early, mid, and late-season harvests in a single grafted tree, making it an ideal choice for smaller yards. Focus on late-ripening apple varieties suited to your specific zone and plant a compatible pollinator nearby to ensure a full, reliable harvest each fall.

Should I plant fruit trees in fall or wait until spring for better results?
Fall planting is often the better choice for fruit trees in USDA zones 7 through 11, where mild winters allow roots to establish before the demands of spring growth kick in. Cooler soil temperatures and reliable rainfall reduce transplant stress, giving trees a head start that spring-planted trees simply cannot match. In zones 8 through 11, fall is actually peak harvest season for many varieties, proving just how active and productive these climates remain late in the year. If you are in a warm growing zone, shop Nature Hills' selection now and get your trees in the ground this fall for earlier establishment and a stronger first growing season.

What can I do in November to prepare my fruit trees for winter?
November preparation depends heavily on your growing zone. In zones 8-11, many fruit trees are still actively harvesting, so focus on picking ripe fruit promptly, monitoring for pests, and ensuring adequate irrigation as temperatures fluctuate. In cooler zones 5-7 where harvest is wrapping up, now is the time to clear fallen fruit and leaves to reduce disease pressure, apply a layer of 2-3 inches of mulch around the root zone, and hold off on pruning until the trees are fully dormant in late December or January. Check your specific zone recommendations at naturehills.com to time your winterizing tasks correctly.

Which fruit trees are best suited for gardeners who want fresh fruit into late fall?
Gardeners in USDA zones 8 through 11 have the best selection of fruit trees for late fall harvests, with November being prime season for apples, avocados, citrus, and even bananas. Late-ripening apple varieties like Fuji, Granny Smith, Gold Rush, and Pink Lady sweeten up as night temperatures drop, while avocado varieties such as Hass, Bacon, and Zutano hit their peak in warm climates. Citrus trees including grapefruit and Rio Red Ruby Red also come into their prime this time of year. If space is limited, consider a 6-in-1 Espalier Apple Tree, which combines early, mid, and late-season varieties in a single grafted tree to extend your harvest window as long as possible.
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