Golden Delicious Apple Tree
Same variety as Yellow Delicious, the Golden Delicious Apple Tree was discovered as a chance seedling in West Virginia, this variety has been a staple apple variety for decades. It is heat tolerant, cold hardy, a great pollenizer for many other varieties, and when picked at peak ripeness is much more delicious than any fruit of the same name you’ve had from the supermarket.
Latin Name: Malus domestica
Site and Soil: All apples like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: M-7 is considered a semi-dwarf rootstock. Regular apple trees grafted on M-7 rootstock wiill grow 12-16 ft. in height. Crabapples, Columnars, Espaliers, and Combination Apples will be smaller. M-7 is very hardy and adapted to most soils.
Considered a dwarf rootstock, Apple trees on M-26 typically grow 8-12 ft. in height and are usually spaced 8-12 ft. apart. Crabapples and Columnars will likely be smaller. M-26 induces early bearing, usually in 2-3 years after planting, and grows well in most soils, except very wet and poorly drained ones. On windy sites, trees grafted on M-26 may need staking.
Pollination Requirements: All apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set.
Hardiness: Golden Delicious Apple Tree is hardy to minus 30° F or below.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 12-16 ft.
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: Early August
Yield: 30-50 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Golden Delicious can be affected by Apple Scab although it is considered resistant. Apple Scab is more prevalent in regions with wet springs, like we have in the Pacific Northwest. While it doesn’t seriously affect the eating quality of the fruit, it can cause black spots on the apples and foliage. Apple Scab can be controlled by sulfur and other sprays. Codling Moth can create wormy apples and aphids can damage the foliage of apple trees.
USDA Zone: 4
Sunset Western Zone: 1-9, 14-16
Sunset Northeast Zone: All zones