What fruit trees you can grow ultimately depends on your climate. Many fruit trees, such as pears, need a certain amount of winter chill or a number of hours when the temperature is low. Still others, like apricots, can't handle late-season frosts. Some fruit trees, such as peaches, do best with dry summers. Summer highs and winter lows may also determine which fruit trees will grow in your area.

Another consideration is pollination. Trees like cherries and apples traditionally only develop fruit when planted close to another cherry or apple, which allows for cross-pollination.  In the past, this has meant that either you need to plant two trees or you need neighbors with the same fruit trees.

Fortunately, growers have been developing varieties of all types of fruits that can handle less-than-ideal conditions. This includes fruit trees that need less winter chill or that can handle colder winter temperatures, and trees that can self-pollinate. They've also often grafted two varieties on one rootstock to allow for cross-pollination, and two varieties of the same fruit on one tree. Local nurseries and cooperative extension agents can steer you to the trees that will do best in your area.

What you don't need to grow fruit trees, for the most part, is a lot of space. Many fruit trees are naturally smaller than shade trees. In addition, dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties make it easy to fit trees into smaller yards, and their smaller size makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Other options for growing fruit trees in a small space include summer pruning, planting a rootstock with several varieties of fruits grafted onto it, planting several dwarf varieties in one hole, and espaliering branches of some fruits, such as apples, against a wall or to form a fence.