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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It'll grow. Now plan where it goes.
Design your orchard layout — see how your trees fit, which ones pollinate each other, and plan the whole space visually.
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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
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
You've got the variety. Now plan the orchard.
Design your layout, see spacing between trees, and track what you plant — all in one place.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
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
- Vegetable Garden Planner – Climate-aware sowing schedules
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.