The Intermountain West is home to a rich agriculture industry. You don’t have to drive very far to find a pasture full of cattle or a field with beautifully grown hay, but there’s more to intermountain ag than what meets the eye.
Local fruit production is a vital aspect of intermountain agriculture. Beautiful blooms and colorful fall harvests are a welcome sight on many hillsides and valleys throughout the state. Take a look at Utah’s commercial fruit industry and the varieties of fruit trees that keep it blooming.
History of Commercial Fruit Production in Utah
The history of commercial fruit production in Utah is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its early settlers. In the late 19th century, pioneers recognized the potential of Utah's fertile valleys and began cultivating orchards, despite the region's challenging climate.
The introduction of irrigation systems transformed arid landscapes into productive fruit farms, allowing settlers and early farmers to grow apples, peaches and cherries across the state– specifically along the Wasatch front. Southern Utah growers found early success in grape production during the 1860s, but grapes were soon abandoned for more desirable fruits such as watermelons and cherries.
By the early 20th century, Utah had established itself as a significant player in the fruit industry, with local farmers innovating techniques adapted to the unique environmental conditions. Today, Utah is the second largest producer of tart cherries in the United States and this legacy of adaptation and innovation continues to influence fruit production in the state.
Over the years, Utah's commercial fruit production has diversified beyond its early staples of apples, peaches, and cherries. The state's unique microclimates and varied elevations allow the successful cultivation of a wide range of fruits including apricots, plums, pluots, pears and some sweet cherry varieties.
Utah farmers have also found great success cultivating berries, such as raspberries and strawberries, which benefit from the state's high-altitude conditions. This diversification reflects Utah’s agricultural adaptability and commitment to meeting changing consumer demands and exploring new market opportunities.
Common Utah Fruit Tree Varieties
Although Utah’s commercial fruit production has expanded, three staples remain at the top. Peaches, apples and tart cherries (the Utah state fruit) are the most popular fruits cultivated in Utah. Take a look at common varieties grown throughout the state.
Peaches
O’Henry
The O'Henry peach stands out with its large, ruby-red fruits and its popularity with Brigham City fruit producers. O'Henry peaches are excellent for both freezing and eating fresh from the tree. They are freestone peaches with a juicy, yellow center that ripens in late summer. O'Henry peaches have an excellent, sweet flavor that scores high in taste tests. It's ideal for eating fresh, making jams, canning, dehydrating, and freeze-drying. O'Henry peaches store well for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Early Elberta
As the most frost-tolerant Elberta peach tree variety, Early Elberta peaches are a go-to variety for many intermountain fruit growers. This tree produces medium-sized golden yellow fruit with red blush. The freestone fruit is juicy and yellow. Trees put on a brilliant display of pink flowers in the spring before setting fruit that ripens mid-July. With its sweet-peach flavor, Early Elberta peaches are ideal for eating fresh, making jams, canning, dehydrating, and freeze-drying. Save them for later, Early Elberta peaches store well for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Red Haven
Enjoy a bountiful harvest of medium-sized yellow peaches with a large red blush. Red Haven Peach Trees are heavy fruit producers that yield freestone peaches with a firm, yellow center that ripens in July over six weeks. Red Haven peaches have a delicious, juicy flavor ideal for eating fresh, making jams, baking, canning, freezing, and freeze-drying. Red Haven peaches keep well for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Contender
Contender peaches are late-blooming and well-adapted to northern climates, with good cold-hardiness and frost tolerance. This hardy tree produces medium-sized yellow fruit with slight red blush. The freestone fruit has a firm, yellow center and ripens from late August to September. The Contender's sweet-peach flavor makes the fruit ideal for eating fresh, baking, making jams, canning, dehydrating and freeze-drying.
Summer Lady
Summer Lady peaches are known for their sweet, juicy flavor and firm texture ideal for fresh eating, baking and canning. Growers love Summer Lady peaches for their great disease resistance and abundant, healthy crops. These peaches ripen early, which means an earlier harvest of delicious fruit.
Apples
Gala
Gala apple trees produce large yields of delicious fruit to satisfy all your apple cravings. With a long harvest season and great storage life, you can enjoy Gala apples when they ripen in mid to late September and for months to come. With a sweet, mild flavor, Gala apples are good for baking, cooking, eating fresh and making delicious cider.
Yellow Delicious
Yellow Delicious are exactly what they say, golden apples with a sweet and tangy flavor. The apple's golden skin is easily bruised but this doesn’t affect the flavor. Apples ripen in early October and are small to medium in size. Yellow Delicious apples have a mild, sweet and tangy taste, making them good for eating fresh or making pies, applesauce, and jelly–you can also try them with hamburgers for a sweet crunch!
McIntosh
Known for their mild, sweet and tangy taste, these versatile apples are a great choice for fresh eating, baking and making cider. Their semi-dwarf rootstock ensures robust growth and productivity, while their ability to thrive in USDA Zone 4 makes them an ideal choice for cooler climates. With a harvest period in early October and a storage life of up to 5 months, McIntosh apples provide a long-lasting supply of delicious fruit.
Red Delicious
These apples have a distinctive deep red color and a crisp texture, which many apple connoisseurs find attractive. Red Delicious trees are relatively easy to grow and thrive in various climates, particularly in USDA Zones 5 to 8. Their harvest season typically falls in late September to early October, and they store well, allowing for extended fruit enjoyment throughout the winter.
Fuji
Fuji apples are a sweet and refreshing treat, especially when slightly chilled. Their unique speckled or striped pattern makes Fuji apples as fun as they are tasty. Fuji trees grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, and the fruit ripens from mid-September to mid-October. Fuji apples are sweet with a crisp taste. Store fruit for later or enjoy fresh. Fuji apples are also excellent for baking and making salads and sauces.
Cherries
Montmorency
Tart cherries make up the majority of Utah’s cherry production. Montmorency is Utah’s most widely grown commonly grown cherry and serves as the state’s commercial standard. Montmorency trees produce high yields of large bright red fruit with firm, white flesh and clear juice. The cherries are appealing due to their tart flavor, which makes them ideal for baking, cooking, and preserving. They are also rich in antioxidants and have health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties.
Bing
Bing Cherry trees are known for producing an abundant harvest of deep red cherries, each packed with juicy flavors and numerous health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, Bing cherries can boost your health while providing a delightful snack or ingredient for various culinary creations. Bing Cherries store well for 1-2 in the refrigerator.
Rainier
Rainier Cherries are distinguished by their striking yellow-red color and delicious taste. These cherries are rich in nutrients, including vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Rainier Cherries store well for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator and are excellent for sweet and savory recipes.
Sweetheart
Sweetheart cherries are known for their sweet flavor and juicy texture, making them a delightful snack. They also have a vibrant red color, which is visually appealing. Sweetheart cherries have an excellent shelf life that allows you to enjoy them fresh for an extended period.
Chelans
Chelan cherries are prized for their sweet and juicy flavor, which makes them a favorite for snacking and desserts. They are also known for their crisp texture and vibrant red color. Chelan cherries have a short harvest season, typically available in early summer, which makes them a sought-after seasonal treat.
How To Grow Fruit Trees in Utah
Utah fruit farmers are producing a wealth of delicious fresh fruits which means you don’t have to go very far to enjoy the “fruits” of their labors, but fruit growing is a rewarding and tasty endeavor that you can do even in your backyard.
While you might not want to cultivate fruit for commercial purposes, adding a fruit tree to your yard can add an aesthetic appeal, increase your self-sufficiency, and provide you with a delicious treat that you can take pride in knowing you grew yourself.
Selecting the Right Fruit Variety
Growing fruit starts with selecting the best variety. Choosing fruit tree varieties adapted to the Intermountain region is critical to meeting your production goals. Adapted varieties will bloom and mature before the growing season ends. It is important to select fruit tree varieties suited for our cold winter and unique water and soils.
IFA offers a wide selection of hardy and well-adapted varieties for intermountain climates. Think about the types of fruits that you love to eat and then select a variety that will thrive in your specific region and provide the flavors you love. IFA even has some semi-dwarf fruit tree and bush varieties that are well adapted for growing in small backyards or garden spaces.
Stop by your local IFA Country Store this spring and talk to an IFA garden expert to discover fruit tree varieties that do well in your area.
Important Fruit Tree Growing Tips
Annual maintenance is essential for fruit trees. Fruit trees have the same basic care needs as any other plants around your yard or garden, as well as specific annual maintenance items such as pruning and thinning that will help increase fruit production.
Water and Nutrients
Fruit trees need adequate water, sunlight, and soil nutrients to grow and produce fruit. Ensure your trees receive one good soaking a week rather than frequent irrigation. You can provide your fruit trees with adequate nutrition by amending your soil with an all-purpose garden fertilizer such as IFA Grand Champion 16-16-16 or IFA Premium Garden Fertilizer 16-16-8.
Pruning and Thinning
Fruit trees also require regular pruning to reduce light competition and encourage the growth of strong branches. Some fruit varieties benefit from fruit thinning along with pruning. Fruit thinning generally refers to removing a portion of the fruit during or shortly after fruit set to allow the remaining fruit to grow better. In apples, thinning is also used to help prevent “alternate bearing,” a year with heavy fruit production followed by a year with no or minimal fruit production. Thin your fruit trees by removing small fruitlets when they are one-quarter of an inch to an inch in diameter and remove doubles and triples in apples and peaches.
Pest Management
Fruit tree pests can severely impact fruit production. Common fruit tree pests include the codling moth, western cherry fruit fly, greater peach tree borer, peach twig borer and aphids. Use fruit tree sprays with insecticide and disease-control ingredients to protect your fruit. Be sure to rotate the active ingredient of your sprays annually to prevent the pests from building up resistance to it.
IFA Fruit Trees and Shrubs: Quality Sourced and Ready For Utah’s Climate
Utah fruit producers are an excellent example of the resilience and adaptability of Utah's agricultural industry. When you pass a local fruit stand or shop at your local grocery store, you can enjoy the sweet, juicy and always delicious fruits that local growers dedicate their time to producing.
Explore the delicious flavors of Utah’s locally produced fruits and enhance your yard or garden with backyard fruit trees. With a wide selection of fruit varieties adapted to intermountain climates, IFA is your source of growing fresh fruit.
When you purchase a fruit tree or shrub from IFA, you can rest assured that your investment will thrive thanks to IFA’s two-year fruit tree and shrub guarantee. IFA guarantees our trees and shrubs for two years from the date of purchase if they receive reasonable care and are planted with one of our recommended growth starting products: Soil Moist Transplant Plus Mycorrhiza, Fertilome Root Stimulator, or IFA Garden & Planting Mix.
Get started growing fresh fruits. Stop by your local IFA for the best intermountain fruit tree varieties and to learn more about our tree and shrub guarantee.
Information for this article was provided byTodd Tolbert, CCA, Spanish Fork IFA Ag Center; Aaron Jaussi, Garden Center and Live Plants Category Manager, IFA Country Store.