Aronia are definitely not for fresh eating. They do process into excellent jelly, juice, wine, etc. Most apples would not meet your requirements for carefree, but some crabapples are very disease and pest resistant, very compact and produce edible fruits. Jujube is something to consider, as most are hardy and they don't have natural pests around. Cornelian cherry, Cornus mas is another one to consider. Figs and pomegranates would not qualify as easy, as both would require considerable winter protection in 6a MA. Asian persimmons would also be very marginal. You may find one that will survive, but it may not ripen fruit. Pawpaw would be another possibility for something easy. Currants are not trees, but would do great and are easy, although I'm not sure if its legal to grow them in MA.

Hi, Just for interest sake -- I have this plant growing at home as well. I find that in winter it looks like its been thru a shredder but come the warmer months it bounces back to form a beautifully rounded bush. Around here (in Sydney Aust.) both crows and what we call currawongs (another bird) love eating the berry and I suspect that it is how the seeds may disperse. The fallen fruit will also produce seedlings where it drops -- these can be easily transplanted and grown on. Ted PS: Kids love to see how far they can roll the fruit down the driveway !!

Scarlet elder (Sambucus pubens) is native here (is it in >yourAlso check out some native Viburnum species that do thrive well in part shade (V. alnifolia or lantanoïdes, V. cassinoïdes or V. lentago), to get better bird species variety and different crop periods.

Hey Ken, Thanks - appreciate the advice. My son calls me Goon which is close to Loon - has he been talking to you? I would sue him but he is an attorney and I am but a lowly shop keeper. By the way, he is in his 40s so no hope of respect at this point. I will either take shots of the tree or just dig it up. Why should they have it and not me? lol. I will be baaaaaaaaaaaack. Loon