• Many apples, including Red Delicious, ripen in fall.red delicious apples image by spectator from Fotolia.com
  
  A large number of fruit trees flower in spring and produce fruit that ripens by late summer or fall. Among those that produce fall fruit are most apple trees, as well as certain varieties of peach, pear and plum. Whatever type of tree you choose, remember that fruit trees need well-fertilized soil and ample water and sunlight to bear fruit to their full potential, and that when fruit ripens depends on where you live. Find out in which U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone you live before you plant, so you will know which trees can survive in your climate.
  
  

Apple Trees

• Apples are perhaps the fruit most commonly associated with fall harvest. Many varieties of apples ripen in fall, including Cortland, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious and several others. Fruit is ripe when fully-colored and when it separates from the tree with a gentle twisting motion. Some trees need another apple tree to pollinate with, while others are self-pollinating; most apple trees will grow in a variety of soils, but moist, well-drained soils are best. Cortland and Red Delicious apples will grow in zones 4 to 7; Fuji and Granny Smith apples will grow in zones 6 to 9.
  
  

Peach Trees

• Two peach varieties -- Elberta and Veteran peaches -- produce fruit in fall. Elberta peach trees will grow in hardiness zones 6 to 9, and are adapted to the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes areas of the United States. They produce medium to large freestone peaches. Veteran peach trees can grow in zones 5 to 9. In general, peaches need clear, hot weather during the growing season and will not tolerate frost and extreme winter cold.
  
  

Pear Trees

• Comice pears ripen in late September, depending on climate, and Seckel pears also ripen in September. Both varieties are adapted to zones 5 to 9 and prefer partial to full sun, ample but not excessive water and fertile, well-drained soils that range from sandy loam to clay loam. Pears should not be allowed to ripen on the tree; pick them before they become ripe and let them ripen in storage, where they will ripen more evenly.
  
  

Plum Trees

• Toka plums ripen in fall as well. This Japanese variety will grow in hardiness zones 5 to 9, and produces round or heart-shaped fruit that can be green to yellow or bright red to deep purple-black. Plum trees are more drought-tolerant than some other fruit trees, but they should be deeply watered periodically during summer. They do best in fertile, well-drained soil, but will survive in various soils.