Red Delicious Apple Tree

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Size
Regular price $168.00 Sale price$198.00you save $30.00
SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES
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1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 7 or 10 or 15 gallon

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Red Delicious Apple Tree is a popular fruit tree known for producing large, deep red apples with sweet flavor. In spring, the tree produces beautiful white blossoms that attract pollinators, followed by apples that typically ripen in fall. This tree is a great choice for backyard orchards, edible landscapes, and home gardeners who want to grow their own fruit.

  • Botanical name: Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Deciduous
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Full sun.

WATER:
Water regularly during establishment. Once established, water when soil begins to dry, typically every 7–10 days depending on your local climate and weather.

LEVEL OF CARE: MODERATE
Fruit trees benefit from regular pruning and seasonal care for optimal fruit production.

Note: Apple trees typically require cross-pollination from another compatible apple variety to produce the best fruit harvest.

We cannot guarantee the Red Delicious Apple tree you receive will already be bearing fruit. Fruiting depends on the season, tree maturity, and growing conditions.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Red Delicious Apple Tree, botanically known as Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’, is a classic fruit tree prized for producing large, deep red apples with sweet flavor and crisp texture. This deciduous tree offers beautiful spring blossoms followed by a reliable harvest of apples in fall. With proper care, Red Delicious apple trees provide both ornamental beauty and productive fruit, making them a popular choice for home orchards and backyard gardens.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate growth rate; typically reaches 12–18 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, water when the soil begins to dry, typically every 7–10 days depending on your local climate and weather. Red Delicious Apple Trees require full sun for best fruit production. At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day helps support healthy growth and strong harvests.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Prune annually during late winter while the tree is dormant. Proper pruning improves airflow, encourages fruit production, and helps maintain a strong branch structure.

FERTILIZING:
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins to support healthy foliage and fruit development.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Red Delicious Apple Trees are cold hardy within their recommended zones and typically require no winter protection once established.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth. Place the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 5-8

Red Delicious Apple Trees grow best in temperate climates with warm summers and cold winters. They thrive in USDA Zones 5–8 where winter chill allows the tree to properly set fruit. These trees prefer well-draining soil and full sun exposure, which helps support healthy growth and fruit production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Delicious Apple Trees typically grow 12-18 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide at maturity.

Red Delicious Apple Trees grow at a moderate rate and can grow about 1–2 feet per year under ideal conditions.

Plant Red Delicious Apple Trees in full sun in well-draining soil with good air circulation to support healthy growth and fruit production.

Red Delicious apples typically ripen in late summer to early fall, depending on the growing region.

Yes, Red Delicious Apple Trees benefit from cross-pollination with another compatible apple variety to produce the best fruit harvest.

Most Red Delicious Apple Trees begin producing fruit within 3–5 years after planting, depending on growing conditions and tree maturity.

Red Delicious Apple Trees typically require approximately 700–900 chill hours each winter to produce a reliable fruit crop. Chill hours are the number of hours the tree experiences temperatures between about 32°F and 45°F during dormancy.

Red Delicious Apple Trees can be pollinated by many other apple varieties that bloom at a similar time, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith. Planting another compatible apple tree nearby helps improve fruit production.

A mature Red Delicious Apple Tree can produce several bushels of apples per season under ideal growing conditions, depending on tree size, age, and overall care.

Red Delicious apples are typically ready to harvest in late summer to early fall, when the fruit develops its deep red color and the apples easily detach from the branch.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.