Fruit Cocktail Tree

Why Fruit Cocktail Trees

One tree, several fruits: this multi-grafted specimen combines two to four varieties of peach, plum, apricot, and/or nectarine onto a single trunk, so a single planting can give you flavors you'd otherwise need two or four separate trees for, in a fraction of the space. Redhaven and Elberta peaches, Blenheim and Moorpark apricots, Italian plum, and Hardired nectarine are among the varieties selected for the mix, though the exact combination varies by tree and not every variety is guaranteed to be included.

In spring, each grafted branch blooms according to its own variety, so you may see a mix of white and pink blossoms open across the same tree before the leaves fully emerge — a preview of the different fruits to come. The tree grows to a manageable 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide at maturity, compact enough for a backyard orchard or even a smaller yard, and its Cold Hardy rating (down to 0°F) means it holds up through winters as far north as Zone 6.

Because it's grafted rather than grown from seed, it fruits far sooner than a seed-started tree — as early as the first year, with two years being typical once established. Harvest begins by mid-summer, and self-fertile flowers mean a single tree can produce on its own, though planting a second nearby will increase your yield.

Why Trees.com?

This particular combination isn't something you'll typically find at a local garden center — multi-graft fruit trees take specialized grafting work most nurseries skip. We've already done the pruning and training needed to establish a strong, balanced structure across all the grafted varieties, so your tree arrives ready to put its energy into fruit rather than needing structural correction in its first years.

Every Fruit Cocktail Tree we ship is backed by our Alive & Thrive Guarantee™, and our Plant Experts are available if you have questions about pruning, pollination, or telling which shoots belong to which grafted variety as your tree fills in.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: First, select a spot that gets full or partial sun (at least a half-day or 4 to 8 hours of sun per day at minimum). Be sure the area provides adequate protection from strong winds if possible. When you're ready to plant, dig your hole slightly wider than the roots and at sufficient depth to cover them. Then, place and stake the tree to secure it. Water thoroughly, removing any air pockets, and tamp down the soil. Add mulch on top to keep the area moist. Water the tree the next day, then twice weekly for the next three weeks.

2. Watering: Water your tree weekly. Make sure your Fruit Cocktail Tree is moist at all times, especially during the hotter months.

3. Fertilization: Fertilize your Fruit Cocktail three times each year with applications in the late winter, early summer and early autumn. Apply choice of either manure, compost or a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil. Prevent fertilizers from making direct contact with the trunk of the tree.

4. Pruning: Routine pruning to maintain the desired shape and balance of your tree can be performed on an ongoing basis. To promote ideal health and growth, prune your Fruit Cocktail early in the winter. Prune roughly 1/3 of the current year's growth, keeping all cuts above outward buds.

Tips: Cut back any vigorously-growing branches and keep the tree balanced. And remove any shoots that are growing from the rootstock below ground level or from the central trunk of the tree.