Jonathan Apple Tree

Malus 'Jonathan'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 4-8 with reliable crops in cold climates where late frosts can threaten other varieties
Crisp, tangy-sweet fruit ripens mid-fall and excels for fresh eating, baking, cider, and long-term storage
Fragrant white spring blossoms attract bees and beneficial pollinators to your home orchard
American heirloom discovered in 1826, prized for disease resistance and dependable annual harvests

$102⁶⁰

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Plant Size

#3 Container | 3-4 ft

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for the best fruit production and flavor development. Trees in partial shade produce fewer apples with diminished sweetness.

Soil: Plant in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air and water collect. If you have heavy clay, amend with compost and plant on a slight mound to improve drainage around the roots.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature trees need about one inch of water per week during the growing season, especially from fruit set through harvest. Consistent moisture prevents fruit drop and bitter pit, but avoid waterlogged soil which invites root rot.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant, before buds swell. Remove crossing branches, water sprouts, and any dead or diseased wood to maintain an open vase or central leader shape. Good air circulation through the canopy reduces disease pressure and allows sunlight to reach developing fruit.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in early spring before bud break, following package rates based on trunk diameter. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers after June, as this promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit and can reduce winter hardiness.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Edible, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	12-15 ft
Width	12-15 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Malus 'Jonathan'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	Jonathan
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

Jonathan Apple (Malus 'Jonathan') is a true piece of American orchard history. Discovered in 1826 on a farm in Woodstock, New York, this heirloom variety earned a devoted following for its perfect balance of tart and sweet and has remained a backyard favorite for nearly two centuries.

The Fruit

Medium-sized Jonathan apples develop a brilliant red blush over a yellow-green base, often with subtle striping that deepens as nights turn cool. The crisp white flesh delivers a distinctive tangy bite that mellows into honeyed sweetness. This flavor complexity makes Jonathan one of the finest dual-purpose apples you can grow. Eat them fresh out of hand, slice them into salads, or bake them into pies where they hold their shape beautifully. Jonathan also produces exceptional cider with a bright, aromatic character.

Harvest arrives in late September through early October in most regions. The fruit stores well in a cool basement or refrigerator for two to three months, allowing you to enjoy homegrown apples well into winter.

Spring Display

Before the fruit comes the show. Jonathan covers itself in fragrant white blossoms tinged with pink in mid to late spring. The flowers draw honeybees, native bees, and other pollinators essential to fruit set. While Jonathan produces some fruit on its own, planting a compatible pollinator like Golden Delicious, Gala, or Granny Smith within 50 feet dramatically increases your harvest.

In the Landscape

Expect your Jonathan to reach 12 to 15 feet tall and wide at maturity, a manageable size for most home orchards. The rounded canopy provides light shade and seasonal interest from spring blossoms through colorful fall fruit. Plant where you can appreciate the spring fragrance and easily access branches for harvest.

A Proven Performer

Jonathan earned its reputation through generations of reliable performance. It tolerates cold winters better than many apple varieties and resists some common diseases that plague home orchardists. The tree bears young, often producing its first crop within three to four years of planting.

If you want an apple with genuine flavor, historic pedigree, and proven performance in the home orchard, Jonathan belongs on your shortlist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the growth rate of the Jonathan Apple Tree and how long until it produces fruit?

Jonathan Apple Trees typically begin producing fruit in their 3rd to 5th year after planting. They reach their mature size of 12-15 feet tall and wide at a moderate pace. Plant in spring for best establishment and expect your first meaningful harvest within 4-5 years.

Are Jonathan Apple Trees deer resistant or do I need to protect them?

Jonathan Apple Trees are not deer resistant and will need protection from browsing. Deer readily eat apple tree bark, leaves, and fruit, which can severely damage or kill young trees. Install fencing or tree guards around your Jonathan, especially during its first few years of establishment.

Does the Jonathan Apple Tree need a pollinator tree nearby to produce apples?

Jonathan Apple Trees produce some fruit on their own but yield dramatically more with a pollinator nearby. Plant a compatible variety like Golden Delicious, Gala, or Granny Smith within 50 feet for the best harvest.

What are the best companion plants to grow near a Jonathan Apple Tree?

Jonathan Apple Trees benefit most from other apple varieties like Golden Delicious, Gala, or Granny Smith planted within 50 feet for cross-pollination. Avoid planting large trees nearby that would compete for sunlight or crowd the 12-15 foot mature canopy. Plant compatible pollinators first to maximize your harvest.

How do I care for my Jonathan Apple Tree during winter months?

Jonathan Apple Trees are naturally cold-hardy and require minimal winter care. Remove any fallen fruit and leaves to prevent disease, and wrap young trunks if temperatures drop below -10°F. Apply a 3-4 inch mulch ring around the base to protect roots. Shop Nature Hills for quality Jonathan Apple Trees.

Jonathan Apple Tree

Malus 'Jonathan'