11 Berries That Grow on Trees & Which Ones Are Edible

Knowing which berries grow on trees will help you design a garden full of edible and ornamental berries. Berry trees are easy to grow, and as a bonus, many berry trees will even attract songbirds to your garden. 

If you're planning a garden to nurture nature, planting berry trees like elderberry, mulberry, and holly provides birds with enticing food choices and shelter to build nests. Add perennials, a few feeders, and bird baths, then simply sit back and enjoy the show!

Mulberry trees are native to Asia and were brought to Europe and then to North America in the 17th century. Many of the mulberries found growing wild in America are descended from trees planted by the early colonists. The colonists hoped to grow silkworms, which thrive among mulberry trees, and capitalize on the demand for silk cloth. Unfortunately, their plan didn't work, but the trees thrived.

Today, mulberry trees provide edible berries as well as food for wildlife. It's best to avoid planting these near sidewalks since the dark, juicy berries can stain cement and concrete.

While you can't grow acai berries in your backyard, these berries that grow on trees (palm trees!) are all the rage among the health food set. The berries are rich in antioxidants and may provide a health boost. Acai is native to South American rainforests and needs a very specific and tropical environment to thrive. 

Related: Check Out Our List of Different Types of Berries

Elderberry trees are considered shrubs rather than traditional trees, but they still produce some awesome berries. They thrive in moist, slightly acidic soil and make wonderful additions to bird and wildlife gardens.

Many species of songbirds love elderberries and will enjoy these tasty treats. Deer also enjoy elderberries, so avoid planting elderberry trees near plants that deer may snack on unless you're willing to sacrifice a few plants to the wildlife.

The Cornelian cherry is actually a type of dogwood. Cornus mas, or Cornelian cherry, provides tart red fruits similar to cherries. In Europe, the Cornelian cherry is made into sauces, syrups, and desserts, but it's not well-known in America. The Cornelian cherry is a very hardy and disease-resistant flowering tree. Fruits ripen in August and are also beloved by songbirds.

Hawthorn trees are actually related to the rose family. They're known for their incredibly tough wood. In fact, in Britain, the hawthorn was grown for its ability to form a thick, thorn-filled hedge.

Hawthorns hybridize easily, and there are now over a thousand species available. Check with your local garden center if you want to grow hawthorn to ensure you choose a variety that will thrive in your area.

The holly tree, with its Christmas-bright berries, can grow to splendid heights. Its shiny evergreen leaves provide year-round interest, while female trees produce red berries in the winter. Even though holly berries aren't edible for people, the birds will love them. You can also cut holly branches for decorations.

Holly can be grown easily in zones 6 and higher, but choose varieties carefully in the colder zones. You'll also want to make sure you have two or more plants to get berries because they need male and female plants for pollination.

Related: Guide to Edible Berries and Which to Avoid

Soapberries were and are still used as a soap substitute by native peoples in both the New and Old Worlds. When crushed and combined with water, they produce a soap-like substance that's used to clean things. The brown seeds of the soapberry tree are sometimes made into jewelry, and the wood is used by indigenous people to make baskets.

Goji berries are also called wolfberries and are native to Asia. They are related to tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, deadly nightshade, chili peppers, and tobacco. Goji berries have been valued in the 21st century for their nutritional and antioxidant values, although there is little research to support some of the health claims being made about them.

Farkleberry is sometimes known as a huckleberry tree, but don't confuse the two. While a true huckleberry is an edible fruit, the berries on the Farkleberry tree are not eaten by people, although birds love them. It's a small tree that thrives in acidic, sandy soil, so keep this in mind if you want to plant one. 

Juniper berries are the only spice derived from a conifer. They are actually not berries at all but modified cones with an unusually fleshy covering. Birds are very fond of juniper berries. Humans use them to flavor gin and in cooking, particularly in Europe. 

The strawberry tree is a small evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean and to Europe as far north as Ireland. Even though its berries look like strawberries (hence, the tree's name!), it doesn't grow actual strawberries.

Instead, it produces an edible fruit that birds and humans eat and also is used in jams, beverages, and liqueurs. Some people find the flavor bland and mealy and don't like the fruit. The strawberry tree is also used to provide food for bees in honey production in Europe.

Whether you wish to grow berry trees for edible berries or to attract songbirds, there's a certain pleasure in noticing the changing seasons among the berry trees. The bright foliage color and berries and the changing flutter of migrating songbirds make growing berry trees worthwhile.