{"product_id":"arkansas-black-spur-apple-tree-l90suy","title":"Arkansas Black Spur Apple Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eArkansas Black Spur apple trees are prized for their deep red, almost black fruit with a dense texture and bold, sweet-tart flavor. These apples are excellent for fresh eating, baking, or storing, as they develop even richer flavor with time in storage. This late-season variety thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring moderate chill hours. Arkansas Black Spur trees are vigorous and benefit from a pollinator, such as Granny Smith or Fuji, to produce abundant yields. Their striking fruit and robust growth make them a standout choice for home orchards, combining beauty, flavor, and versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSemi-Dwarf on M-111 rootstock.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suitable for USDA zones 5-8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires around 500-600 chill hours for optimal fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Typically blooms late in the spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting Dates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvesting usually occurs between October 5 to October 25.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLooks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arkansas Black Spur Apples are medium-sized with a dark red to almost black skin. The flesh is crisp, and the flavor improves with age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Known for its distinctive, almost \"foxy\" flavor, excellent for cooking, cider making, and fresh eating after storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFacts of Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The variety is considered an heirloom from Arkansas, dating back to the 1830s. It needs storage to achieve its full flavor potential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partially self-fruitful but benefits from cross-pollination from varieties like Golden Delicious or Granny Smith for better yields.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Soil Temperatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arkansas Black Spur Apples prefer soil temperatures between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depths:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant young trees at the same depth they were in the nursery container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Periods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Typically grown from grafted trees rather than seeds. Apple seeds can take a few weeks to a few months to germinate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight at Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e These trees can reach heights of about 15-20 feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Begins fruiting in about 2 years, but full production may take 5-7 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun\/ Shade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires full sun for optimal growth and fruit production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing After Thinning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space trees 20-25 feet apart to allow for proper growth and airflow.Arkansas Black Spur Apple Tree, \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eArkansas Black Spur Apple Trees flourish in Zones 5 to 8 and thrive in regions with approximately 500 to 700 chill hours. They bloom late in the season, making them suitable for areas with typical Central Valley California weather patterns. Their harvest window spans from October 5 to October 25, producing large apples adorned with unique dark red skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eThese apples boast a personality characterized by very crisp flesh and a sharp flavor that matures and improves over time. Their distinct, outstanding flavor unfolds after an extended period in storage. Initially, the medium-sized fruit exhibits very dark red to nearly black skin, intensifying to a deep black hue during storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary Uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eThe Arkansas Black Spur Apple is a versatile cultivar, revered for its excellent cooking properties and often utilized in the production of delectable ciders. Its distinct flavor profile, often described as \"foxy,\" adds depth to culinary creations, especially in cider blends and various apple-based recipes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Roots:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eOriginating from the apple-growing boom in Benton and Washington counties during the 1830s to the early 1900s, this apple variety played a significant role in shaping Arkansas's apple-growing heritage. Despite setbacks like the Civil War, apple orchards continued to thrive, establishing Benton and Washington counties as the largest apple-growing regions in the United States by the late 1800s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParentage and Identification:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eWhile the exact cross remains unidentified, the prevalent belief is that the Arkansas Black Spur Apple is a seedling of Winesap and an unknown parent. Although frequently confused with the Arkansas Black Twig variety, they are distinct cultivars, although Arkansas Black Twig has been speculated as a possible parent to the Arkansas Black Apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth and Pollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eThese trees start fruiting within two years, showcasing their productive nature. While partially self-fruitful, they fare better with a pollenizer. Varieties like Golden Delicious or Granny Smith serve as suitable pollinizers, enhancing fruit set and yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 0px;\"\u003eCultivating the Arkansas Black Spur Apple Tree offers not just a fruitful addition to gardens but also a connection to a storied past entrenched in the apple-growing history of Benton County, Arkansas. With its unique flavor and historical significance, this apple tree stands as a testament to the rich heritage of apple cultivation in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5-8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e 500-700\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time: \u003c\/strong\u003eLate (Based on typical Central Valley California weather)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest: \u003c\/strong\u003eOctober 5 - October 25\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLooks: \u003c\/strong\u003eLarge, apples with unique dark red skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonality: \u003c\/strong\u003eVery crisp flesh, the sharp flavor improves with age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFacts of note: \u003c\/strong\u003eAn heirloom apple variety from Arkansas that produces a distinct, outstanding flavor after an extended time in storage. The medium-sized fruit is very dark red to almost black skinned but becomes nearly black during storage. Very uniquely flavored, often described as foxy, this apple must be stored to achieve its wonderful flavor. The Arkansas Black is an excellent cooking apple and is quite often used as a blending apple in delicious ciders. Arkansas Black Apple traces its root to the Apple growing boom in Benton and Washington counties in Arkansas state from the 1830’s to the early 1900’s. The Ben Davis Apple was the backbone of the Arkansas apple growers. Despite the damage done by the Civil War the Arkansas apple orchards continued to grow and by the late 1800’s Benton and Washington counties were the largest apple growing regions in the United States. The exact cross has yet to be Identified, but the most common belief is that it is a seedling of Winesap and unknown Parent. Though often confused with the variety Arkansas Black Twig these are not the same varieties, but Arkansas Black Twig has been cited as a possible parent to the Arkansas Black Apple. Begins to fruit in 2 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partially self-fruitful, does much better with pollenizer. Golden Delicious or Granny Smith work well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.groworganic.com\/blogs\/articles\/fruit-trees\"\u003eFruit Tree Central\u003c\/a\u003e for a listing of all our fruit tree videos and articles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Rdt4TYt4fE0vpvNhXDgewxzwx4hg8xQc8_14DbtDKNc\/edit?usp=sharing\"\u003eTree Characteristics\u003c\/a\u003e for a listing of all our fruit \u0026amp; nut tree growing characteristics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grow Organic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49535534727396,"sku":"FT015","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0832\/0290\/0196\/files\/Ft015_76d6b01f-1305-4948-bb42-eb8e840faa42.jpg?v=1785400508","url":"https:\/\/groworganics.shop\/products\/arkansas-black-spur-apple-tree-l90suy","provider":"Westbridge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}