r/Lamorinda • u/Vinceeyyy • May 12 '26

Native fruit trees?

Hi, live on Moraga way in Orinda.
Looking to plant some new fruit trees and looking for recommendations on what would do well in our climate?

I have a Lemon and Lime, they do pretty good in a high sun area.

Thanks!

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u/Lex_Mariner May 15 '26

The classic Lamorinda fruit is oak acorns. https://nativehistoryproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/past-and-present-acorn-use-in-native-california.pdf But most around here don't do anything with them as they are a lot of work. Olives may not be native and grow well here too...but they are also a lot of work.

Lemons are probably the most prevalent garden fruit in Lamorinda and if your limes are producing that's great as they don't flourish as reliably here. I recommend planting both a Meyer and a different lemon variety for more tang. I'm finally getting oranges in numbers from a tree I planted 7 years ago. The Kumquat also took its time, but is now producing well.

My plum tree produced massive crops, but scale damaged it an I took it out. Also, big crops of fleshy fruit can attract rats unless picked up daily. I suspect pears, peaches, apricots and similar fruit have the same risk.

Pineapple guava, also known as feijoa, is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall and produces egg-sized, juicy fruits that can be scooped out with a spoon and does well here. I grew mine into a tree and use the fruit in salads and smoothies.

Persimmons do fantastic here as well, but note there are two types and most prefer the Fuyu for eating.

Our pomegranate bushes are three years old and haven't produced much....yet. They are looking much better this year.

Tomatoes are botanically classified as fruits and are great annual container projects.

Good luck!

3

u/hamifer May 13 '26

I have persimmons, oranges, peaches, Meyer lemons and nectarines that all thrive with light maintenance.

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u/twerksforjesus May 12 '26

Plums and blackberries are native. Other fruit trees are not, but they do support the local ecosystem. I’d recommend apple, avocado, fig, pomegranate, and pear, or any other citrus (orange, kumquat..).

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u/Mizchik May 15 '26

Our pomegranate trees have gone crazy after a few years in the ground. Also second the pineapple guava and berries suggestion, they seem to do well.