here's one of the articles

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2008-06-01/Grow-Free-Fruit-Trees.aspx

my FIL grew 7 peach trees from seed 2 years ago. he planted a couple at his house, and gave us 5. we planted 4 and gave 1 away. they are all about 2.5-3 ft tall right now and doign ok. his actually had a couple blooms this year, though ours did not. and with our hot humid days i have had to baby them regularly. we are supposed to only get to 93 the next couple days, so it is refreshing now.

Hi -
I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I germinate a lot of stuff that ought to go into the compost pile...but, seeds of mango, papaya, avocado are easy to germinate and make attractive plants (especially payapa). I also have white sapote, now tree sized, and carambola/starfruit.
Avocados have flowered, but not set fruit. Sapote had fruit this spring - remember those hellish wind storms - au revoir!
Starfruit has bloomed each of the last 2 years but not set fruit - this year's the one!
I've gotten a number of pineapples from the tops - though these can be pretty vicious plants, and you want to beware if you have little kids.
Anyway, guavas, avocados, sapote, starfruit and a few others either fruit or most certainly will - some people in Abbeville get avocados, so I can, too! Somebody in Katy, TX gets sapote, so I can, too!
I have gotten papaya fruit (froze on the tree!), lots of guavas, sour melon, and have hopes for goumis.
If the plants are pretty, and you have room, why not?
Regards - Nancy in Lafayette

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking of trying figs for a community garden (I don't like them myself). I didn't even think about tropicals. I'm new to the south!

I know plums and peaches usually work good, but some of the hybrids of fruit trees grow something different from seed and you'll get a fruit that doen't taste well or something.
Pattie