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Red Delicious Apple

Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’

Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 View Map

Produces a medium- to large-sized red apple that is tender, crisp and juicy with a sweet, mild flavor—great for fresh eating and desserts; the fruit will keep for 3–6 months if stored in the refrigerator
Yields ripe fruit typically from mid- to late September to mid-October
Needs a compatible cultivar — growing within 100' of the tree for standard, 50' for semi-dwarf and 20' for dwarf varieties — to ensure pollination
Can be pollinated with yellow delicious, red Jonathan, early harvest or a variety from a different apple family
Bears fruit in 6–10 years if standard sized; the semi-dwarf tree bears in 4–6 years, the dwarf in 3–4 years
Tends to be a biennial bearer, meaning the tree bears fruit heavily one year and sparsely the next
Blooms midseason, with pinkish-white flowers
Is available in standard, semi-dwarf and dwarf sizes
Requires regular watering
Has a chill hours (CU) requirement of 700–800 (chill hours are the average hours of air temperature between 32° and 45° F in a typical winter season)
Grows in an oval shape

Pricing Information

Tree Details

Shape

Oval

Growth Speed

Fast

Scientific Name

Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’

Mature Height

10' - 25'

Mature Spread

10' - 25'

Shipping Height

3' - 4'

Highlights

Of the more than 2,500 different cultivated varieties of apple trees in North America today, the most famous and widely planted is the red delicious. Perhaps because of its mild, sweet flavor. Possibly because of the long storage life. Or maybe because the name is so appealing.

Legend states that the red delicious apple was named when its discoverer in Iowa sent samples to a commercial nursery in 1892. The nursery owner tasted one of the apples and exclaimed, "Delicious!"

Sun Preference

Full Sun

Soil Preference

Acidic, Moist, Well Drained

Wildlife Value

Apples are eaten by a variety of birds and mammals. The leaves and branches are browsed. The trees can be destroyed by rodents and rabbits girdling the stem or trunk. The nectar and/or pollen provides nutrition for bees in early to late spring. Also, apple orchards are considered valuable habitat for wildlife.

History/Lore

Legend states that the red delicious apple was named when its discoverer in Iowa sent samples to a commercial nursery in 1892. The nursery owner tasted one of the apples and exclaimed, "Delicious!"

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Red Delicious Apple

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Trees In Communities

Trees In Forests

Conferences

Trees In Communities

Trees In Forests

Conferences

Red Delicious Apple

Tree Details

Tree Guide

Payment options

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