The Stayman apple is a triploid cultivar (three chromosomes instead of two) that can consistently bear apples if no conditions like freezing or late frosts happen. The size of the tree depends on the varieties you choose, standard, semi-dwarf or dwarf. It needs other apple trees to ensure pollination because of its triploid heritage, with potential choices including Gala, Golden or Red Delicious. It grows rather slowly at less than 12'' per year. Soil type needed is average to loamy but responds to enriched soil with better production. Most apple trees do best with a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8. Fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for a few hours each day. Air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree. Its height and width vary from 10 feet, 12-15 feet, to 20-25 feet. This tree grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soil. It grows upright in an oval or round shape but can be pruned to a more spreading, horizontal shape. The semi-dwarf may need pruning to maintain a lower height. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See NC disease and pest management to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Malus domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheMalus domestica 'Fuji'Malus domestica 'Ginger Gold'Malus domestica 'Jonagold'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Oval; Rounded; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green simple alternate leaves.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
It blooms mid to late season with white flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The medium to large-sized, roundish-conic fruit has a thick, red skin. The taste is sweet/tart and crisp. The apple ripens from mid to late October.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
USA
Wildlife value
Pollinators during blooming
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
The medium to large-sized, roundish-conic fruit has a thick, red skin. Stayman apple is crisp and juicy with a flavor that combines sweet and tart. It is great for making pies, cider and eating fresh. Ripens from mid to late October. The fruit can be kept up to 6 months if stored in colder temps in the near 40 range.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Small groups
Garden tags
#deciduous #full sun tolerant #white flowers #edible garden #frequent insect problems #frequent disease problems #edible fruit #apple tree #fruit tree #high maintenance