Description

Granny Smith Apple

Granny Smith apple trees are an excellent addition to your backyard and/or hunting property. Granny Smith apples have a crisp texture, refreshing tart flavor, and exceptional versatility. The firm apples are perfect for fresh eating, pies, sauces, salads, and baking because they hold their shape and flavor exceptionally well. These vigorous, productive trees yield reliable harvests year after year, and the fruit stores well for months when properly kept, allowing you to enjoy homegrown apples long after harvest.

Granny Smith apples are a late-season variety, typically ripening in late October in most apple-growing regions. Because the fruit is firm and holds well on the tree, the primary fruit drop usually occurs from November through December, although timing varies with climate and weather.

Every Granny Smith Apple is propagated by grafting tissue from the original tree onto vigorous rootstock. Therefore, every tree you receive is genetically identical to the original tree featured in our photos and description.

 Granny Smith Apple

• Good disease resistance
• Heavy annual fruit production
• Produces a big apple that is great for eating, pies, apple chips, and juices
• November through December fruit drop
• Excellent late-season wildlife attraction
• Vigorous full-size rootstock
• Hardy in Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9

Tree Size

2-Year Tree (4-6′, 5/8″ Diameter)

These two-year-old trees develop extensive root systems and often have multiple branches with a trunk diameter of at least 5/8″. Before shipping, we prune every tree to approximately 66 inches to ensure safe delivery.

• Extensive root system
• Multiple branches
• Minimum 5/8″ trunk diameter
• Ships at approximately 66 inches
• Up to 15 trees per shipping box
• Free local pickup available

2-Year Select Tree (4-6′)

Our Select trees represent the largest grade we offer. In addition, they typically have better feathering and trunk diameters approaching 3/4″.

• Largest trees available
• Excellent branching structure
• Trunk diameter approaching 3/4″
• Ships at approximately 66 inches
• Up to 14 trees per shipping box
• Free local pickup available

Granny Smith Apple Rootstock

We graft Granny Smith Apple onto a hardy, vigorous standard rootstock that produces a full-size tree between 20 and 30 feet tall. Consequently, larger trees produce substantially more fruit throughout their lifetime than dwarf trees.

Furthermore, standard rootstock allows the tree to grow naturally without restricting its size or lifespan. The deep root system anchors the tree securely while improving drought tolerance.

These roots also reach deep into the subsoil to access moisture and nutrients unavailable to shallow-rooted trees. Therefore, this rootstock performs exceptionally well in wildlife plantings and challenging soil conditions.

Another advantage is early production. Granny Smith Apple often bears fruit surprisingly quickly, even when grafted onto vigorous standard rootstock.

Pollination for Granny Smith

Like all apples and crabapples, Granny Smith Apple requires another compatible variety for pollination. Therefore, plant at least one different apple or crabapple variety nearby.

For the best results:

• Plant at least two different named varieties.
• Avoid planting trees with the same variety name side by side.
• Choose varieties with overlapping bloom periods; 90% of the apples and crabs we sell will overlap with blooms pollinating Granny Smith.
• Consider Grams Gift Crabapple as an excellent pollinator.

Picture a bee leaving one blossom and visiting another tree with a different variety name. That simple trip transfers pollen and helps both trees produce abundant fruit.

Planting Instructions

Plant Granny Smith Apple in moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. Additionally, choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

If you have not completed a soil test, we strongly recommend doing so before planting. Phosphorus and potassium play an important role during establishment. However, these nutrients move slowly through the soil. Therefore, incorporate them into the planting area before or during planting for the best results.

If your soil test indicates a low pH, simply mix pelletized lime into the backfill according to the recommendations.

For the best success:

• Space trees approximately 20 feet apart.
• Protect each tree with a minimum 5-foot tree cage.
• Install a breathable 2′ × 2′ weed mat.
• Cover the weed mat with approximately 10 gallons of stone.
• Wrap the trunk with aluminum window screen to discourage rodent damage.

Following these recommendations helps your trees establish quickly while protecting them during the critical early years.

Tree Shipping

We ship dormant bare-root trees to Plant Hardiness Zones 2-8 beginning in early March and continuing through the last Monday in April. You can select your preferred shipping date during checkout.

Because bare-root trees must remain dormant during shipping, we schedule shipments accordingly. However, if you need winter shipping, please contact us before placing your order.

Tree Pickup

The last week of March through the first week of April typically offers the best planting conditions in Pennsylvania. Additionally, we offer free local pickup for customers in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.

Choose your preferred pickup date during checkout. If your schedule changes, simply contact us and we’ll gladly arrange another appointment.

We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for tree pickup.

Learn More

Continue your research with these helpful resources:

• Apple Trees for Deer
• Tree Planting Guide
• Apple Pollination Guide
• Rootstock Information
• Shipping and Pickup Info