Red Delicious Apple Tree
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Ornamental & Delicious Fruit - Red Delicious Apple Tree!
- Beautiful Deep-Red Fruit
- Sweet, Crisp, White Flesh
- Mild & Sweet Flavor
- Rosy-Pink Buds Open to White Blooms
- Fragrant - Attracts Pollinators!
- Attractive Rounded Shape
- Deep Green Foliage
- Specimen Tree or Orchard Quality
- Most Widely Grown in the World!
- Color Throughout the Year
- Mid-Season Bloom
- Late-Season Harvest
- Long Storage Life
- ~700-800 Chill Hours
The Red Delicious Apple (Malus 'Red Delicious') tree is a deciduous, ornamental tree that produces superior fruit. Red Delicious has deep red skin and conical shape encasing flesh that is white and crisp, with a sweet flavor.
In the spring, clusters of small white flowers with subtle pink hues will adorn its branches with their fragrant elegance. Pollinators adore these blooms as much as you will!
In the summer, dark green leaves adorn a rounded shape which turns a brilliant yellow in autumn, sprinkled with deep red fruit. It is truly a tree for all seasons!
The Red Delicious apple is the most widely grown variety in the world. It's a widely planted, popular apple tree in North America, with a variety of uses. Red Delicious was the single largest variety produced in Washington State in 2005.
Get planting your own apple trees for home-grown goodness and healthy fruit production! This will quickly become your favorite apple as well!
How to Use Red Delicious Apple Tree In The Landscape
Fantastic apples for fresh eating, fruit salads, and desserts, this healthy snack-on-the-go is lunch box-sized and travels great!
Your Red Delicious can grow to 12 feet tall with an equal spread, resulting in a relatively rounded crown and pleasing landscape appearance which can last up to 50 years.
You can grow one as an accent or shade tree for the front yard, or plant several on a side yard for a private orchard.
The fantastic blooms in spring are enough to make this a perfect front yard specimen plant! Edible landscaping and dual-purpose gardening are great for this healthy and ornamental tree!
Harvest in late September or mid-October, plus enjoy a long storage life in cold storage or refrigeration.
#ProPlantTips For Care
Requiring full sun for the most blooms and best crop, be sure to provide at least 6 hours of direct light per day!
Tolerating any type of soil that is well-drained, these trees don’t mind some acidic conditions. However, they do require consistent moisture availability and supplemental watering during drought.
A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill.
Prune your tree to open the canopy for sunlight and air circulation to reach the interior. This prevents disease and mildew issues. Fruit needs to be thinned for larger fruit.
The Red Delicious apple is a lovely ornamental tree that will provide you with a crop of delicious and nutritious fruit each fall. Our apple trees are always in high demand. Quantities are limited and many will sell out soon. Order now from NatureHills.com to avoid disappointment!
Red Delicious Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions
When to Plant Red Delicious Apple Trees
Planting Bareroot trees as soon as you can dig a hole in spring and until hot weather, the earlier the better. Plant container Apple trees throughout the growing season with complete success - that is the benefit of container plants - to extend the planting season. Your County Agricultural Extension Office is a great resource for first and last frost dates in your area.
How to Plant Red Delicious Apple Trees
Dig a large hole only as deep as needed to accommodate the bareroot or container root ball, and twice as wide. Add Nature Hills Root Booster to speed root establishment. Remove the pot or bag and situate it into the hole so the top of the soil (soil line if bareroot), is level with the new location's soil being careful not to plant too deep. Water in again very well and backfill with the same soil you dug up, tamping down gently to ensure there are no air pockets.
Top off with a 3-4 inch thick layer of Arborist mulch. Consider staking your tree to keep its trunk growing straight for the first year to ensure it stands tall against strong winds and drifting snow.
When to Prune Red Delicious Apple Trees
Trim off any broken branches from delivery as soon as you take them out of the box. Prune and trim apple trees while dormant, in late winter or early spring, before you see new growth.
How to Prune Red Delicious Apple Trees
Dormant prune to:
- Remove any double leaders or narrow crotch angles
- Eliminate any crossing branches
- Thin interior branching and leave the fruiting spurs and strong branches in place opening up the canopy
- Branching at least 24-36 inches above the ground
Prune Apple trees in the summer to:
- Control size and shape by reducing the length of longer new growth on vigorous trees
- Remove water sprouts on the main trunk or older branches in the crown
- Remove suckers at the base of the trunk
- Thin fruit during heavy years on established trees
How to Care for Red Delicious Apple Trees
Growing an apple tree is easy when proper soil, good drainage, attention to moisture, and regular fertility are maintained. Once you've chosen an apple tree that works for your climate, in the size you need for your landscape, and its pollinator (if needed), then you've accomplished half the battle!
- Apple trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil
- Water your apple trees when it gets dry - especially during the fruit production stage, and drought periods to keep it stress-free
- Use arborists' wood chips to mulch over the roots of your apples and have your soil tested to see what your soil may be lacking before adding fertilizers
- Maintenance pruning and shaping
Apple trees will tolerate a wide range of soils, so long as water and nutrients are not limited and the pH level is adequate.
How to Fertilize Red Delicious Apple Trees
For the first year, water alone is most important. It is always best to get a soil test to see what your soil is lacking before adding more fertilizers. Once established, a fertilizer routine may be beneficial. We do offer some excellent slow-release organic options, applied according to the package directions.
Fruit trees need more phosphate and it's possible to apply too much nitrogen which affects the soil's pH. Test soil acidity or alkalinity using a pH Tester.
Fertilize in spring when you first see new growth emerging.
- Don't overdo it
- Phosphates are your friends
- Pay attention to pH in areas with extremely high or low soil pH
- Follow the directions
Red Delicious Apple Tree Pollinating Info
Red Delicious is not self-fruiting and needs a pollinating partner. Pair with one of these varieties:
- Braeburn Apple Tree
- Yellow Delicious Apple Tree
- Red Jonathan Apple Tree
- Fuji Apple Tree
- Gala Apple Tree
- Honeycrisp Apple Tree
Harvest Times for Red Delicious Apple Trees
Red Delicious's are typically ready to harvest in October.
Early-Season? Mid-Season? Late-Season? The terminology can be confusing for new apple tree growers. Weather, climate and your tree determine when it's ripe.
For Apples:
- Early-season is usually June-July
- Mid-season can be August-September
- Late-season can be from late September-November
The growing season consists of spring, summer, and fall, and varies with climate and weather. Areas with longer growing seasons in the warmer hardiness zones can greatly affect the harvest times for each particular apple variety grown in your area. Learn which growing zone you are in.
What Shipping Options Do You Offer?
NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Red Delicious Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!
Rootstocks Explained
Apple trees have been grafted onto different rootstocks since before the mid-1800s. Different rootstocks are used to improve the anchoring of trees, eliminate diseases, and reduce the natural mature size of the tree itself. While there are many different types of rootstock, they are all labeled as being either Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf, or Standard.
The apple descriptions, including flowering, pollination, and apple characteristics are the same whether the plant is grown on a standard rootstock or some varying dwarfing rootstock. The overall size can vary by climate and soil but the understock used is ultimately what affects the mature size.
There will be some variation in sizes but as a guide, we are suggesting the overall mature size of these apple varieties are:
Standard Apples
- Height 18 - 25 feet
- Spread: 15 - 18 feet
Semi-Dwarf Apples
- Height: 12-18 feet
- Spread: 10 - 15 feet
Remember that all fruit tree sizes can easily be altered if needed by simple pruning as the trees grow and develop.
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
Nature Hills Container Size by Volume
Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.
| Young Plants to 18 Months | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2"x2"x3" | Ranges from | .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume |
| 4.5" Container | Equal to | .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume |
| Sprinter Pot | Equal to | .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume |
| 4" Container | Ranges from | .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume |
| 6" Container | Equal to | 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume |
| 1 Quart | Equal to | 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume |
| 5.5" Container | Equal to | 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x5" | Ranges from | .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x6" | Ranges from | 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x9" | Ranges from | 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x10" | Ranges from | 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2 Quart | Equal to | 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume |
| #1 Container | Ranges from | 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume |
| 5"x5"x12" | Equal to | 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 2 - 4 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #2 Container | Ranges from | 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume |
| #3 Container | Ranges from | 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 3 - 5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #5 Container | Ranges from | 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume |
| #6 Container | Ranges from | 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume |
| #7 Container | Ranges from | 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume |
About Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
Click Here to learn more
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | 19.99 | 19.99 |
| 20 | - | 49.99 | 21.99 |
| 50 | - | 69.99 | 24.99 |
| 70 | - | 99.99 | 29.99 |
| 100 | - | 129.99 | 34.99 |
| 130 | - | 149.99 | 41.99 |
| 150 | - | 150+ | Approx 27% |
Click here to see our full rates
Red Delicious Apple Was Meant to be a True American Classic
The Red Delicious Apple was found as an unwanted seedling by Jesse Hiatt a Peru, Iowa orchardist in 1870. He cut it to the ground.
The unwanted seedling sprouted back, and Hiatt cut it off again. Hiatt reportedly was stunned to see the persistent seedling sprout for the third time. This time, the Iowa Quaker farmer is said to have proclaimed "if thee must live, thee may" and proceeded to trim the tree into a productive character.
Hiatt nurtured the seedling, and when it was about 10 years old it produced it's first set of blooms. (Trees from seed and not grafted can often take many years to set fruit). After blooming, only one piece of fruit remained, and as it developed, Hiatt saw that it had a similar shape with 5 points at the bottom similar to the nearby Yellow Bellflower. But as this fruit developed, it was clearly not the same color. Instead, it was strawberry colored with streaks of dark red running from stem to the bottom.
Finally, the day came to pick and taste to see if his efforts would be rewarded. As the story goes, Hiatt was so excited he proclaimed to his wife "Ma, this is the best apple in the whole world!"
There was no simple road to becoming one of the most beloved apples in history. After Hiatt's realization, keeping the tree alive and healthy would prove to be a challenge. With the trunk at least 6 inches in diameter a great wind took the top out of the tree, leaving the tree exposed. The trunk sunburns and cracks. The bark begins to peel off. With great effort Hiatt Wraps a heavy cover around the trunk of the tree to help it. Hiatt then names his great selection Hawkeye and introduces it to local nursery growers, who reject it.
Hiatt's confidence in his special apple never quit. In 1893, he sent 4 apples to a fruit show sponsored by the Stark Nursery in Louisiana, Missouri. His fruit was awarded first place. Upon sampling the apple, Clarence L Stark is quoted as saying "My, that's Delicious and that should be the name for it."
Hiatt's confidence in his special apple never quit. In 1893, he sent 4 apples to a fruit show sponsored by the Stark Nursery in Louisiana, Missouri. His fruit was awarded first place. Upon sampling the apple, Clarence L Stark is quoted as saying "My, that's Delicious and that should be the name for it."
Persistence finally paid off; he re-entered his selection in the 1894 Stark show. As the entries were opened, Hiatt's apples were recognized immediately. Stark quickly wrote Hiatt. Soon after, Stark met with Hiatt and determined that the tree was sound. He purchased the propagation rights. It was introduced in limited quantity in 1895 as 'Delicious' but was later renamed Red Delicious so not to be confused with Starks Yellow Delicious. Of course, it's now a true American classic.
PLANT HIGHLIGHTS
Growing Zones 4-7
| Brand | Nature Hills' Choice |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Malus 'Red Delicious' |
| Type | Deciduous |
| Mature Height | Semi-Dwarf Height: 12 - 18 feet | Standard Height: 18 - 25 feet |
| Mature Spread | Semi-Dwarf Spread: 10 - 15 feet | Standard Spread: 15 - 18 feet |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil | Widely Adaptable |
| Moisture | Low Once Established |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Flower Color | White |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Fall Color | Yellow |
| Harvest Time | Late Season |
| Pollinator Friendly | Yes |
| Fruiting Time | 3 - 5 years |
| Pruning Time | Late Winter |
