Chill Hour Checker
Check if your favorite fruit trees will thrive in your climate. Select your location to see if you get enough winter chill hours.
Select Variety & Location
Results
Select a variety and choose your location to check compatibility
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Browse All Varieties
Almond
Apple
Asian Pear
Blackberry
Cherry (Sweet)
Cherry (Tart)
Citrus
Grape (Muscadine)
Grape (Wine)
Mulberry
Nectarine
Olive
Peach
Pecan
Persimmon (Asian)
Persimmon (Native)
Plum (European)
Pomegranate
Quince
Raspberry
Walnut
Full Chill Hour Reference Data
For the full citable reference with methodology, see Chill Hour Requirements: Complete Variety Reference.
Chill hours measured using the simple model (hours between 0°C and 7.2°C). Values based on Nov–Feb accumulation only. For marginal climates (zones 7–8), full-season nursery totals may be higher since nursery catalogues typically count from October onwards.
| Variety | Type | Chill Hours Required | Pollination Type | Self-fertile? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | ||||
| All-in-One | Almond | 300 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Hall's Hardy | Almond | 600 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Apple | ||||
| Anna | Apple | 200 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Arkansas Black | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Braeburn | Apple | 700 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Cortland | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Cosmic Crisp | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Dorsett Golden | Apple | 100 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Empire | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Fuji | Apple | 400 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Gala | Apple | 500 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Golden Delicious | Apple | 700 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Granny Smith | Apple | 400 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Gravenstein | Apple | 700 hrs | triploid | No |
| Honeycrisp | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Jonagold | Apple | 700 hrs | triploid | No |
| Liberty | Apple | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| McIntosh | Apple | 900 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Pink Lady (Cripps) | Apple | 400 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Red Delicious | Apple | 700 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Winesap | Apple | 800 hrs | triploid | No |
| Apricot | ||||
| Blenheim (Royal) | Apricot | 400 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Harcot | Apricot | 700 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Moorpark | Apricot | 600 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Asian Pear | ||||
| Hosui | Asian Pear | 450 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Shinseiki | Asian Pear | 400 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Blackberry | ||||
| Natchez | Blackberry | 300 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Ouachita | Blackberry | 300 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Triple Crown | Blackberry | 300 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Blueberry | ||||
| Bluecrop | Blueberry | 700 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Duke | Blueberry | 800 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Jersey | Blueberry | 800 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Misty | Blueberry | 150 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Sunshine Blue | Blueberry | 150 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Cherry (Sweet) | ||||
| Bing | Cherry (Sweet) | 700 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Lapins | Cherry (Sweet) | 400 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Rainier | Cherry (Sweet) | 700 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Stella | Cherry (Sweet) | 400 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Cherry (Tart) | ||||
| Montmorency | Cherry (Tart) | 700 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Citrus | ||||
| Meyer Lemon | Citrus | 0 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Owari Satsuma | Citrus | 0 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Fig | ||||
| Brown Turkey | Fig | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Chicago Hardy | Fig | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Grape | ||||
| Concord | Grape | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Flame Seedless | Grape | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Thompson Seedless | Grape | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Grape (Muscadine) | ||||
| Carlos | Grape (Muscadine) | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Grape (Wine) | ||||
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Grape (Wine) | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Jujube | ||||
| Lang | Jujube | 100 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Li | Jujube | 100 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Kiwi | ||||
| Hayward (Fuzzy Kiwi) | Kiwi | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Issai (Hardy Kiwi) | Kiwi | 100 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Mulberry | ||||
| Illinois Everbearing | Mulberry | 200 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Pakistan | Mulberry | 200 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Nectarine | ||||
| Arctic Star | Nectarine | 500 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Fantasia | Nectarine | 600 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Mericrest | Nectarine | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Olive | ||||
| Arbequina | Olive | 250 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Mission | Olive | 300 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Pawpaw | ||||
| Pawpaw (Shenandoah) | Pawpaw | 400 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Pawpaw (Sunflower) | Pawpaw | 400 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Peach | ||||
| Belle of Georgia | Peach | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Contender | Peach | 1050 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Elberta | Peach | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Florida King | Peach | 400 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| O'Henry | Peach | 750 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Redhaven | Peach | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Reliance | Peach | 1000 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Pear | ||||
| Bartlett | Pear | 800 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Bosc | Pear | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| D'Anjou | Pear | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Kieffer | Pear | 350 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Pecan | ||||
| Desirable | Pecan | 300 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Pawnee | Pecan | 300 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Persimmon (Asian) | ||||
| Fuyu | Persimmon (Asian) | 200 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Hachiya | Persimmon (Asian) | 200 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Persimmon (Native) | ||||
| American Persimmon | Persimmon (Native) | 800 hrs | needs pollinator | No |
| Plum | ||||
| Methley | Plum | 150 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Santa Rosa | Plum | 300 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Plum (European) | ||||
| Stanley | Plum (European) | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Pomegranate | ||||
| Eversweet | Pomegranate | 150 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Wonderful | Pomegranate | 150 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Quince | ||||
| Pineapple Quince | Quince | 300 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Raspberry | ||||
| Fall Gold | Raspberry | 500 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Heritage | Raspberry | 250 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Tulameen | Raspberry | 800 hrs | self fertile | Yes |
| Walnut | ||||
| Carpathian | Walnut | 600 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
| Chandler | Walnut | 700 hrs | partially self fertile | Partial |
Last updated: September 2026
How to cite: Leaftide (2026). Fruit Tree Chill Hour Requirements. leaftide.com/tools/chill-hours-calculator/. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
What Are Chill Hours?
Chill hours are the number of hours a fruit tree needs to experience temperatures between 32°F and 45°F (0°C to 7°C) during winter dormancy. This cold exposure triggers the tree to break dormancy and bloom properly in spring.
Without enough chill hours, fruit trees may experience:
- Delayed, weak, or uneven leafing out
- Poor or no fruit set
- Reduced fruit quality and size
- Overall decline in tree health
Different varieties have different chill requirements — from as low as 100 hours for subtropical varieties like Dorsett Golden apple, to over 1000 hours for cold-climate varieties like Contender peach.
How This Tool Works
1. Select Your Variety
Choose from our database of popular fruit tree varieties, each with verified chill hour requirements from university extension services.
2. Select Your Location
Click the map, use geolocation, or enter coordinates. We look up average winter chill hours for your area from our climate dataset.
3. Get Your Results
See whether your location typically receives enough chill hours, along with recommendations and alternative varieties if needed.
Typical Chill Hours by Region
Northern States
1000-1500+ hours
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New England
Mid-Atlantic & Midwest
800-1200 hours
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Upper South
500-800 hours
Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina
Deep South & Gulf Coast
200-500 hours
Florida, Louisiana, South Texas
Pacific Northwest
800-1200 hours
Washington, Oregon (varies by elevation)
California
200-1000 hours
Varies widely: coast vs. Central Valley vs. mountains
Growing Fruit in Low-Chill Areas
If you live in a warm climate with limited chill hours, you can still grow delicious fruit! Here are some strategies:
Choose Low-Chill Varieties
Many fruit types have varieties bred specifically for warm climates. Anna and Dorsett Golden apples, Florida King peach, and Stella cherry are excellent choices.
Consider Tropical Alternatives
Citrus, figs, and persimmons have very low or no chill requirements and thrive in warm climates where traditional stone fruits struggle.
Use Microclimates
North-facing slopes, shaded areas, and higher elevations can accumulate more chill hours than surrounding areas.
Try Container Growing
Dwarf fruit trees in containers can be moved to cooler locations (garage, shade) during winter to accumulate more chill.
Related Tools
Plan Your Garden
- Frost Date Finder – Know when to plant and protect
- Pollination Checker – Find compatible pollination partners for fruit trees
Learn More
- Orchard Planning – Plan your fruit tree layout
- Permanent Plants – Track perennials and trees
Data Sources
Chill hour data is derived from 10 years of ERA5 reanalysis climate data, averaged into a global grid at 1° resolution.
Variety chill requirements are compiled from university extension services including UC Davis, University of Florida IFAS, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Frequently asked questions
What are chill hours for fruit trees?
Chill hours are the number of hours a fruit tree needs to experience temperatures between 32°F and 45°F (0°C to 7°C) during winter dormancy. This cold exposure triggers the tree to break dormancy and bloom properly in spring. Without enough chill hours, fruit trees may have delayed leafing, poor fruit set, or reduced fruit quality.
How do I know if my area has enough chill hours?
You can use a chill hour validator tool to check your location. Select your location on the map or enter coordinates, then choose the fruit variety you want to grow. The tool compares your area's average winter chill hours against the variety's requirements to determine if it will thrive in your climate.
What happens if I plant a fruit tree without enough chill hours?
Without sufficient chill hours, fruit trees may experience delayed or uneven leafing, weak flowering, poor or no fruit set, reduced fruit quality and size, and overall decline in tree health. The tree may survive but won't produce fruit reliably.
What fruit trees grow in low chill areas?
Low-chill fruit varieties include Anna apple (200 hours), Dorsett Golden apple (100 hours), Florida King peach (400 hours), and Tropic Snow peach (200 hours). Citrus, figs, and persimmons also have very low or no chill requirements and thrive in warm climates.