Cherry Tree vs Fig Tree

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Cherry Tree

Prunus avium

Rosaceae · trees

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Fig Tree

Ficus carica

Moraceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cherry Tree (Zones 4-7)

Fig Tree (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–7

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cherry Tree	Fig Tree
Scientific Name	Prunus avium	Ficus carica
Family	Rosaceae	Moraceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	30'	20'
Spread	25'	20'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Green (inside fruit)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Mediterranean, Western Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Cherry Tree

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Fig Tree

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cherry Tree

✓Sweet cherries need a pollinator partner; sour cherries are self-fertile.
✓Bird netting essential at harvest time.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Needs winter chill.

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cherry Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–7.

Choose Fig Tree if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–7. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Cherry TreeProfile →View Fig TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cherry Tree and Fig Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cherry Tree grows in USDA zones 4-7, while Fig Tree grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 7.

Do Cherry Tree and Fig Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Cherry Tree needs full sun and medium water, while Fig Tree needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cherry Tree or Fig Tree?

Cherry Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Fig Tree at 20'. Cherry Tree spreads 25' while Fig Tree spreads 20'.

Are Cherry Tree and Fig Tree deer resistant?

Fig Tree is deer resistant, but Cherry Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Fig Tree is the better choice, or protect Cherry Tree with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Cherry Tree or Fig Tree?

Cherry Tree has medium maintenance while Fig Tree has low maintenance. Fig Tree may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cherry Tree	Fig Tree
Scientific Name	Prunus avium	Ficus carica
Family	Rosaceae	Moraceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	30'	20'
Spread	25'	20'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Green (inside fruit)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Mediterranean, Western Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Cherry Tree

✓Sweet cherries need a pollinator partner; sour cherries are self-fertile.
✓Bird netting essential at harvest time.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Needs winter chill.

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cherry Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–7.

Choose Fig Tree if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–7. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cherry Tree and Fig Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cherry Tree grows in USDA zones 4-7, while Fig Tree grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 7.

Do Cherry Tree and Fig Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Cherry Tree needs full sun and medium water, while Fig Tree needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Cherry Tree or Fig Tree?

Cherry Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Fig Tree at 20'. Cherry Tree spreads 25' while Fig Tree spreads 20'.

Are Cherry Tree and Fig Tree deer resistant?

Fig Tree is deer resistant, but Cherry Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Fig Tree is the better choice, or protect Cherry Tree with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Cherry Tree or Fig Tree?

Cherry Tree has medium maintenance while Fig Tree has low maintenance. Fig Tree may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.