Apple Trees
CHOOSING APPLE TREES
Apple trees are very popular fruit trees among home fruit gardeners. They can produce a lot of fruit, they’re incredibly versatile, highly adaptable to different soils and climates, and they’re among the hardiest of fruit trees. In fact, one cultivar or another will grow in all 50 states.
Apple varieties recommended by the Oklahoma State University Extension (and available to purchase at Marcum’s) are ‘Gala,’ ‘Jonathan,’ ‘Red Delicious,’ ‘Golden Delicious,’ and ‘Fuji.’ When choosing apples to plant in your home orchard consider the following:
- Desired mature tree size
- Suitability to climate and soil conditions
- Flowering time (be sure to choose two cultivars with similar bloom times for best cross-pollination)
- Fruit qualities (whether you desire to bake with them, make cider, or eat them fresh will help determine which apple varieties are right for your orchard)
APPLE VARIETIES FOR 2024
Each year, we stock apple varieties that perform well in our climate. In most years, the varieties we stock mimic our inventory from previous years. However, there is sometimes variation from year to year. Below are the varieties we have secured for 2024.
Apple Cocktail
A grafted tree is a horticultural technique in which multiple fruit trees are joined together, allowing for the production of different fruits on one tree. The apple cocktail tree is the perfect example of this process, as it can bear up to 3 different types of apples on one trunk. This variety can grow upwards of 15 feet tall at maturity and 10 feet wide.
- Productivity: The Apple Cocktail tree is known for its high productivity, producing large quantities of fruit on one tree and can take up to 18 months to bear fruit.
- Pollination: Suitable pollinators include other apple trees, such as Golden Delicious or Granny Smith, or Crabapple trees.
Fuji
Fuji apples are a highly desirable variety due to their unique combination of sweet and tangy flavors. They have crisp, juicy flesh and a firm texture, making them perfect for snacking or baking in pies and desserts. This variety of apples can grow upwards of 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
- Productivity: Fuji trees are known to produce large yields of fruit.
- Pollination: Suitable pollinators include other apple trees such as Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Yellow Delicious.
Fuji makes Oklahoma State’s recommended apple varieties list.
Learn more about Fuji on our Plant Library.
Gala
Gala apples are a popular favorite due to their crisp and juicy texture, sweet flavor, and beautiful pinkish-red skin. It is used for fresh eating as well as in salads, pies, and apple sauce.
- Productivity: Gala trees produce moderate to high yields of fruit, depending on growing conditions
- Pollination: Suitable pollinators include other apple trees such as Red Delicious, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
Gala makes Oklahoma State’s recommended apple varieties list.
Learn more about Gala on our Plant Library.
Granny Smith
Granny Smith apples are known for their bright green color, tart flavor, and firm texture. They are excellent for baking as they hold their shape well, and their tartness balances out the sweetness in desserts. This variety of apple tree can grow upwards of 20 feet tall and wide.
- Productivity: The iconic green apples are known to have excellent productivity, producing large yields of fruit.
- Pollination: Granny Smith is self-fertile and does not need another pollinator; however, fruit set may be improved by a compatible pollinator. Suitable pollinators include other apple trees such as Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, and Yellow Delicious.
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp apples are a newer variety that has gained popularity in recent years due to their juicy, crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor. They are perfect for snacking or using in salads. This variety of apple tree can grow upwards of 20 feet tall and wide.
- Productivity: Honeycrisp trees have moderate productivity, producing consistent yields of fruit.
- Pollination: Suitable pollinators include other apple trees such as Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Yellow Delicious.
Learn more about Honeycrisp on our Plant Library.
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are one of the most popular varieties in the world, known for their bright red skin and sweet flavor. They have a mild flavor and soft texture, making them perfect for eating raw. This variety of apple tree can grow upwards of 20 feet tall and wide.
- Productivity: Red Delicious trees have high productivity, producing large yields of fruit.
- Pollination: Suitable pollinators include other apple trees such as Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Yellow Delicious.
Red Delicious makes Oklahoma State’s recommended apple varieties list.
Learn more about Red Delicious on our Plant Library.
Stayman Winesap
Stayman Winesap apples are an old-fashioned variety known for their deep red, almost purple skin and sweet-tart flavor. They have a firm texture and are suitable for both cooking and eating raw. This variety of apple tree can grow upwards of 15 feet tall and wide.
- Productivity: Stayman Winesap trees have moderate to high productivity, producing consistent yields of fruit.
- Pollination: Self-fertile but produces a larger crop with pollinators including Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, and Yellow Delicious.
Yellow Delicious
Yellow Delicious apples are a classic variety known for their bright yellow skin and sweet flavor. They have a mild taste and tender texture, making them ideal for snacking on or using in desserts. Yellow Delicious is also used in pies, salads, and for making apple sauce, and it also freezes well. This variety of apple tree can grow upwards of 20 feet tall and wide.
- Productivity: Yellow Delicious apples have a high productivity and are consistent.
- Pollination: Self-fertile but produces a larger crop with pollinators including Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious.
Below is a pollination chart from Freedom Tree Farm to help plan your home orchard.
SOURCES
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