We carry many different varieties of apple trees, from the sweetest Fuji to the tart Granny Smith and beyond. There are a variety of factors you might consider when selecting which type of apple to grow. While flavor may be your primary consideration, some apples like the Gala apple, are self-pollinating, while others, like the Honeycrisp, need to be planted near another variety in order to cross-pollinate. With such a wide selection, picking the right variety for your garden can be overwhelming! Our guide is here to help you make your choice!
Caring for Your Apple Tree
Apple trees require 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and moist, well-draining soil. When watering, we suggest thoroughly soaking new trees twice or three times per week for a few months and then less frequently once established, approximately once during the growing season. For more tips on how to water trees, check out our post on the topic.
Self-Pollinating Apple Varieties
Combo Apples
Combo apple trees have multiple varieties of apples on the same trunk. We carry combo trees with 3 or 4 different kinds of apples on the same tree, handling the issue of cross pollination for gardeners with limited space. Combo apple trees are wonderful if you want a variety of fruits in a small area.
Espalier Combo Apples
Espaliered trees, like combo trees, feature multiple varieties of fruits, but are trained to grow on a trellis or against a fence or wall. We carry espaliered apple trees with both three and four varieties such as HoneyCrisp, Gala and Pink Lady. These are also an excellent option for tight spaces, making fruit tree cultivation in your own backyard simple and effective.
Gala
Gala apples are small and crisp, producing mild sweetness and a grainy texture. They are bright red in color with a thinner skin than other types of apples. Gala apple trees will grow white-pink fragrant flowers that eventually turn to fruit in the summertime. You can harvest Gala apples throughout the fall season.
Golden Delicious
Golden delicious apples are medium to large in size and have tender skin that is greenish-yellow, turning more golden yellow when they are ripe. These trees are heat tolerant and cold hardy. They are known to have a mild honey-like flavor.
Non-Self Pollinating Varieties
Fuji
Fuji apples are one of the sweetest apples available, delicious for snacking and adding to pies and sauces. They are bi-colored with reddish-pink and yellow stripes. You will need to plant your fuji trees within 50 feet of another apple tree in order to achieve cross-pollination.
Granny Smith
These green, medium-sized, tart apples are a popular choice for baking. Granny Smith apples have tough skin and as they ripen, they turn more yellow in hue. Granny Smith apple trees can self-pollinate, but benefit from cross-pollinating with other apple trees.
Honeycrisp
These sweet, sometimes tart apples are medium to large in size and have mottled red and yellow coloring. They are known for their crispness and juiciness and can be stored for up to seven months in the refrigerator. We suggest placing a two to three inch layer of mulch when you first plant the tree to retain moisture. Honeycrisp trees require another tree to cross pollinate with.
Jonathan
Jonathan apples have red skin and a tart, tangy flavor that is great for snacking, cooking and baking. Jonathan apples ripen in September to mid-October. You will be able to keep these apples fresh in the refrigerator for around three to six months. Jonathan apples will perform best if planted near another apple tree, in particular red delicious, golden delicious or granny smith apples.
McIntosh
These apples are bright red in color and have a sweet, somewhat tart flavor. They can be eaten raw as a snack or added to cooking and baking recipes such as pies and sauces. McIntosh apples will need other apple trees for pollination. These trees will pair well with Jonathan, Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp trees.
Pink Lady
Pink Lady apples are pinkish-red in coloring and have a tart flavor. They can be snacked on fresh or used in baking. The trees produce white blossoms during the growing season. Pink Lady trees need to be cross-pollinated with other apple trees in order to produce its delicious fruit.
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are some of the most popular apples to use in baking pies and other desserts. They are deep red in coloring and are sweet and mild in flavor. They will ripen in late September to mid-October. Red Delicious apples require cross-pollination in order to fruit. We recommend pairing this tree with Gala or Fuji apples.
