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Growth Facts

Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Spacing: 12-15'
Exposure: Full Sun
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Arkansas Black Apple

Malus domestica 'Arkansas Black'

This Tree is not available for Sale at this time through Bower & Branch. Bower & Branch provides this information for reference only. Please check back with us or contact us for more detail.

Now here's an heirloom Apple that's decidedly different! The fruits turn deep, dark, purply red, making this one easy to pick out of a crowd. But its uniqueness isn't merely skin deep. The pale yellow flesh is complex in its flavor. Apple connoisseurs may pick up notes of honey and vanilla underneath the classic sweet-tart apple taste. Arkansas Black is an extremely firm and crunchy fruit when picked; in storage it mellows in firmness and flavor. It's also a good keeper. Arkansas Black stays fresh in the fridge for months, so you can space out your apple-eating, and you'll never grow tired of them!

Growth Facts

Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Spacing: 12-15'
Exposure: Full Sun
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The Story
The Details
How to Grow
More Info
Q&A

The Story

The Arkansas Black Apple Tree is said to have originated in the 1840s in the orchard of a Benton County, Arkansas settler named John Crawford. It is probably a descendent of the spicy-tart Winesap Apple. Arkansas Black is a triploid Tree, which means that it needs another Apple Tree to pollinate it, but it cannot pollinate another Apple Tree in return. Many Apples will do the job; Golden Delicious and Fuji are most often utilized. Many Crabapples will also work. A Crabapple is a good choice as pollinator if you decide that the harvest from one Apple Tree is plenty for your needs!

The Details

Arkansas Black is excellent for fresh eating, but it also makes a luscious pie. Its nuanced flavors give your pastries a rich and satisfying taste, and the variety's high pectin content ensures that the filling will be stable and never runny.

How to Grow

In general, Apple Trees are easy to grow, but getting a big harvest of unblemished fruit can be a real challenge, as there are a several pests and diseases that find Apples (like the Arkansas Black) as tasty as we do! There are many steps you can take, however, to protect your Tree in effective but responsible ways. Our Growers are happy to help you find the best plan for you; contact them anytime at grower@bowerandbranch.com. Practicing good culture and hygiene will go a long way towards keeping your Tree strong and healthy. Plant your Arkansas Black Apple Tree in full sun in a site with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Water regularly and mulch to keep the root zone cool and evenly moist. And always promptly remove and destroy any diseased branches, leaves, or fruit. Arkansas Black is more tolerant of high heat and humidity than other Apples.

More Info

Cold Tolerance/Hardiness Zone 4

Heat Tolerance/Hardiness Zone 8

Exposure Full Sun

Avg Mature Height 12-15' Tall

Avg Mature Width 12-15' Wide

Spacing 12-15'

Growth Rate Moderate

Leaf Color Green

Fall Leaf Color Yellow/Brown

Flower Color White

Flower Time Spring - Mid-Season

Fruit Color Deep Purple

Fruit Time Fall - Late Season

Cary Award Winner No

PA Gold Medal Award No

Attractive Bark No

Attracts Birds Yes

Attracts Butterflies No

Attracts Hummingbirds No

Attracts Pollinators Yes

Deer Resistant No

Drought Tolerant No

Dry, Poor Soils No

Edible Fruit Yes

Fragrant Yes

Groundcover No

Hedge/Windbreak No

Native No

Salt Tolerance/Seashore No

Seasonal Cut Branches No

Shade Tolerance No

Showy Flowers Yes

Specimen No

Urban Conditions Yes

Utility Line Trees Yes

Wet Moist Soils No

Winter Interest No

Woodland Garden No

Decor/Craft Use No

Questions & Answers

Q: How big will this Tree grow?

A: We grow the Arkansas Black Apple on a semi-dwarfing rootstock (S-M7). This will give you an apple that will grow 12-15' in height and width before pruning to form. You can expect a substantial harvest in 3 to 5 years using this rootstock, or about 3 years after planted at your home

Q: What other variety of Apple do I need to pollinate my Arkansas Black?

A: The Arkansas Black Apple is best pollinated by a variety of Apples: the Braeburn, Cortland, Empire and Gala are just a few!

One note to make is that the Arkansas Black Apple is what we call a triploid - meaning it has three chromosomes as opposed to two (like most other Apples). This means that it will not pollinate any other Apple - it is 'sterile'. If you plant an Arkansas Black, two other Apple Trees are required nearby, each of different varieties, which can cross-pollinate each other as well as the triploid Tree. This might sway you from growing triploid varieties, but they have many advantages including very good disease resistance!