Fruit trees in North Park - Ask Extension
I’m curious about trying to grow apple or pear or other fruit trees on my property at 8,000’-9,000’ west of Independence Mountain in North Park,...
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Fruit trees in North Park #927481
Asked April 04, 2026, 9:48 AM EDT
I’m curious about trying to grow apple or pear or other fruit trees on my property at 8,000’-9,000’ west of Independence Mountain in North Park, Colorado. Is it a crazy idea?
Jackson County Colorado
Expert Response
Good morning, Michael-
Let's be honest: it's kind of a crazy idea, but with changing weather conditions, it isn't as crazy an idea as it would have been a decade ago!
You have two major considerations to think about as it relates to weather at your location: how cold does it get in the winter (which will dictate winter survivability) and how much heat you get in the summer (which will dictate if you get fruit or not). Timing of frosts will be important, too, as what typically happens in high-mountain areas is that it gets warm enough for buds to pop and fruit trees to flower, and then we get a frost during bloom...which kills the crop.
Look for trees that have at least a zone 4 rating to help increase the odds they will survive the winter. Look for dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock and trees that have a short-season or number of days required for production. Some varities that I think you should look for would be:
1. Sweet Sixteen or Honeycrisp apples;
2. Newport plums; and
3. Montmorency cherries.
I am not aware of any pear that would do very well in your location.
Remember that microclimates in the mountains make a HUGE difference in what will work at your location, too. Take a walk on a summer evening and note where you feel warm air movement vs. cold, and know that in those 'channels' you can get things through a cold night better if the appropriate air movement is keeping the blossoms from getting nipped. Aspect is important, too, and exposure to cold at night.
Note that this doesn't take into consideration soil type, which may be challenging in your area, too. But I think your trees can overcome that, espcially if you buy smaller ones that are able to get accostomed to the soil as they grow.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.
Let's be honest: it's kind of a crazy idea, but with changing weather conditions, it isn't as crazy an idea as it would have been a decade ago!
You have two major considerations to think about as it relates to weather at your location: how cold does it get in the winter (which will dictate winter survivability) and how much heat you get in the summer (which will dictate if you get fruit or not). Timing of frosts will be important, too, as what typically happens in high-mountain areas is that it gets warm enough for buds to pop and fruit trees to flower, and then we get a frost during bloom...which kills the crop.
Look for trees that have at least a zone 4 rating to help increase the odds they will survive the winter. Look for dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock and trees that have a short-season or number of days required for production. Some varities that I think you should look for would be:
1. Sweet Sixteen or Honeycrisp apples;
2. Newport plums; and
3. Montmorency cherries.
I am not aware of any pear that would do very well in your location.
Remember that microclimates in the mountains make a HUGE difference in what will work at your location, too. Take a walk on a summer evening and note where you feel warm air movement vs. cold, and know that in those 'channels' you can get things through a cold night better if the appropriate air movement is keeping the blossoms from getting nipped. Aspect is important, too, and exposure to cold at night.
Note that this doesn't take into consideration soil type, which may be challenging in your area, too. But I think your trees can overcome that, espcially if you buy smaller ones that are able to get accostomed to the soil as they grow.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.
Hi Todd,
Thank you for responding.
I can get temperatures lower than -20F sometimes. Will that kill everything with just one cold-spell? How cold is too cold?
I don’t care too much about getting fruit every year. I’m just hoping for a non-negligible frequency.
On Apr 6, 2026, at 8:43 AM, Ask Extension wrote:
Plants rated for Zone 4 (mentioned above) should survive annual average minimum temps of -30, Michael. Colder temps than that may be an issue in low snow years when there is not enough snow to provide insulation, but the trees mentioned above should be fine for winter survivability in your area.
