Description

Sundance™ Apple

Sundance™ apple trees are an outstanding choice for home orchards and hunting properties alike, producing large, crisp golden apples with a sweet-tart flavor that ripen here in early October. Known for their excellent disease resistance, vigorous growth, and dependable annual harvests, Sundance trees are easy to maintain while delivering exceptional fruit for fresh eating, baking, and long-term storage. Their mid-season fruit also provides a valuable food source for deer and other wildlife, making Sundance an excellent option for landowners looking to improve habitat while enjoying a productive, high-quality apple tree year after year.

The outstanding disease resistance, vigorous growth, and reliable annual harvests make this apple tree perfect for the backyard or for deer and other wildlife. Sundance™ is a productive, low-maintenance tree that delivers lasting value year after year. Suitable for plant hardiness zones 5-9. Mature height will be 20’+  Plant Hardiness zones map 5-9. 

Every Sundance™ 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.

Why Hunters and Backyard Growers Choose Sundance™ Apple

• Exceptional disease resistance
• Good annual fruit production
• Produces a big apple that is great eating
• September through October fruit drop, later moving it north
• Excellent wildlife attraction
• Vigorous full-size rootstock
• Hardy in Plant Hardiness Zones 5-8

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

Sundance™ Apple Rootstock

We graft Sundance™ 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. Sundance™ Apple often bears fruit surprisingly quickly, even when grafted onto vigorous standard rootstock.

Pollination

Like all apples and crabapples, Sundance™ 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 next to each other.
• Choose varieties with overlapping bloom periods; most all the apples or crabapples we sell will overlap.
• 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 for Sundance™ Apple

Plant Sundance™ 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 and 2 gallons under the weed mat
• 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