Red Delicious Apple Tree

The Red Delicious Apple Tree is a true classic in the world of orchards, known for producing one of the most recognizable and iconic apple varieties! These ruby-red bundles of joy are the simply the perfect fruit - crisp, juicy, sweet, tangy - the perfect balance between honeyed and tart. These bursts of refreshment wake up your taste buds with every crunch. Grow your very own Red Delicious Apple Tree to provide beauty and bountiful fruit perennially. This deciduous tree grow 10-15 feet tall and features a rounded canopy adorned with dark green leaves that change to brilliant autumn hues. In Spring, enjoy the sight of clusters of fragrant pink blossoms that eventually give way to a harvest of crisp, juicy apple. Eat Red Delicious Apples fresh for a quick and healthy snack or bake them into a pie, juice them, sauce them, dry them, or even turn them into cider. And they’re just as fantastic in savory dishes as they are in sweet ones, adding a delightful contrast of flavor. 

Also Known As: Malus Domestica, Red Delicious Orchard Apple, Stark Delicious, Red Delicious Apple, Delicious Apple, Hawkeye Apple, Iowa Apple, Stark Red, Red Stark, Pippin, Culinary Apple, Cooking Apple.

Plant Name:	Tree, Common Apple "Red Delicious"
Latin Name:	Malus communis, Malus domestica, Malus pumila
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Years to Fruit:	3 - 5 Years
Plant Height:	10 - 15 Feet
Spread:	10 - 25 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	4-9
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 20 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. To stratify, roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to keep seeds at 35F-40F for 60 days, mimicking winter conditions. After the stratification period, seeds should be ready to germinate. To germinate seeds, place the bags in a warm 70F-90F area. After 10 days, plant the seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and place the pots in a warm, sunny location. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant seeds in late summer to naturally cold-stratify seeds. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 10-20 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	10-20 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	20 feet

Care During the Season:

Apple trees can produce fruit for many years with care. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Young trees need consistent watering, especially in dry periods, but mature trees are more drought-tolerant. Fertilize the young trees with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year to encourage healthy growth, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive leaf growth instead of fruit. Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. As the trees grow, prune any damaged or competing stems to shape the tree and ensure a strong structure. Be patient, as apple trees grown from seed can take several years to mature and start bearing fruit.

Harvesting:

Pick apples when they are  fully deep red, firm, and can be easily pulled off the tree. When picking apples, twist lightly and transfer without bruising the fruits. Mature fruits should easily detach when twisted and pulled horizontally.