The formation of the Dwarf Fruit Tree Association began with a group of Michigan growers in 1958, with over 300 growers attending the first meeting to debate commercial use of dwarf trees. The idea inspired Northwest growers to do the same in 1959. By 1974, the original group had grown its membership enough to call itself the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, and the Northwest growers officially merged to join in 1983. The group became known as the International Fruit Tree Association in 1994.