Most Beautiful Tropical Fruit Trees (Small to Medium Size)

[johnb51]

Which tropical fruit trees are the most attractive as far as shape and structure and leaves?   But not necessarily large, spreading shade trees.  If you wanted to plant some attractive trees in your front yard with ornamental value but not those with the most tempting (to fruit thieves!) fruits, like mangoes and lychees, what would you choose? 

[Tim]

Muntingia calabura - top it at certain desirable height and it'll branch out beautifully providing great shade, a very attractive tree that blooms & fruits all year, passers by will never notice a thing due to minute size of fruits, even if you don't eat them, it won't make a mess of your front yard with rotten fruits.  Though as it's been pointed out, can be very invasive but you can always knock them back with a weed whacker or lawn mower 

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Which tropical fruit trees are the most attractive as far as shape and structure and leaves?   But not necessarily large, spreading shade trees.  If you wanted to plant some attractive trees in your front yard with ornamental value but not those with the most tempting (to fruit thieves!) fruits, like mangoes and lychees, what would you choose?

Jaboticaba.
Loquat
Canistel
Miracle fruit
pitomba
dwarf sapodilla

and a bunch more I'm sure.

[johnb51]

Yes, I was thinking sapodilla.  What does caimito look like in mature form?  Jackfruit are beautiful when young.  How do they get as they grow?  I'm not opposed to regular pruning.

[Tropicalgrower89]

Yes, I was thinking sapodilla.  What does caimito look like in mature form?  Jackfruit are beautiful when young.  How do they get as they grow?  I'm not opposed to regular pruning.

The only dwarf sapodillas that I can think of is silas woods and makok. I think silas woods is even shorter than makok. Fairchild #2 canistel can also be maintained at a good height. It's also one of the best Canistel cultivars. That's the one I have. 

[Tropicdude]

I think Grumichama is an attractive plant,

[fruitlovers]

Yes, I was thinking sapodilla.  What does caimito look like in mature form?  Jackfruit are beautiful when young.  How do they get as they grow?  I'm not opposed to regular pruning.

Caimito (starapple) fits your large spreading shade tree description.
Oscar

[simon_grow]

I like the trunk and leaves on the Jaboticaba, Cherimoya and Lychee(with no wind damaged leaves).
Simon

[Saltcayman]

Guinep makes a great shade tree with beautiful grey bark.

[zands]

Which tropical fruit trees are the most attractive as far as shape and structure and leaves?   But not necessarily large, spreading shade trees.  If you wanted to plant some attractive trees in your front yard with ornamental value but not those with the most tempting (to fruit thieves!) fruits, like mangoes and lychees, what would you choose?

Loquats are an easy pick. 99% of the time they are grown as ornamentals anyway. Surinam cherries are common hedges, another easy pick for tight hedging material. I would also consider mango trees with small unattractive fruit that are picked yellow and have no red colorations or blush. Fairchild mango is like this I hope, is planted where it may be taken. Mallika mango is harvested green I believe. I planted Oro Blanco Grapefruit (pomelo) which is an ugly fruit. Planted near the road.

[BMc]

Malay Apple
Kepel Apple
Star Apple

[bsbullie]

Macadamia

[Sleepdoc]

I like the look of a well kept Jackfruit tree.  My BL has a really nice appearance IMO. 

Might attract fruit thieves though..

[Soren]

Myrciaria glazioviana

[adiel]

+1 for the Jaboticaba

[johnb51]

Thanks, y'all!  Some good recommendations.