Arkansas Black Apple
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Moderate (1-2 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Georgia grown & ready to plant
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About Arkansas Black Apple
Arkansas Black Apple is a late-season heirloom apple prized for its deep red-to-nearly-black skin at full ripeness and its exceptionally long storage life, often keeping in good condition for months longer than most apple varieties, with flavor that actually improves after a few weeks of storage as the initial tartness mellows. It ripens very late, typically in October, one of the last apples to harvest in a Georgia orchard. Like nearly all apple varieties, it is not self-fruitful and requires a second, different apple variety blooming at an overlapping time, such as Gala or Fuji, planted within about 50 feet for adequate cross-pollination. It grows moderately to 12-18 feet tall and needs full sun and well-drained soil; apples generally perform better in Georgia's cooler upland Piedmont areas than in the hottest lower-elevation sites, since insufficient winter chill can reduce fruit set for some varieties. Annual pruning to maintain an open canopy improves fruit quality and reduces disease pressure common in humid Southern summers.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 12-18 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 12-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate — consistent moisture, especially in the first few years |
| Bloom Season | Mid Spring flowers, Fall fruit (late harvest, October) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate (1-2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Arkansas Black Apple in full sun in well-drained soil, and plant a second compatible apple variety like Gala or Fuji within about 50 feet for cross-pollination, since apples generally are not self-fruitful. Prune annually in late winter to an open canopy for good light penetration and airflow, which reduces disease pressure in Georgia's humid summers. Thin fruit for better size, and expect a late October harvest.
Fast Facts
- Heirloom apple, deep red-to-black skin at full ripeness
- Requires a second apple variety for cross-pollination
- Very late harvest, typically October
- Exceptional storage life, flavor improves after storage
- Mature size: 12-18 ft tall
- Needs full sun and good drainage
Pairs Well With
Arkansas Black Apple FAQs
Do apple trees need a second tree to produce fruit?
Yes, most apple varieties, including Arkansas Black, are not self-fruitful and require a second, genetically different apple variety with an overlapping bloom time planted within about 50 feet for adequate cross-pollination and fruit set. Gala and Fuji are commonly used as compatible pollinator partners.
Do deer eat Arkansas Black Apple?
Yes, Arkansas Black Apple is not considered deer resistant and can be browsed by deer, especially newly planted specimens. In Gwinnett County areas with heavy deer pressure, fencing or repellent application is worth considering until the plant is well established.