Stark® Crimson Spire® Apple Tree

I use the Emerald Spire for cooking, backing, and fresh snack. I use the Crimson Spire for fresh use only.

Yes, I purchased two of them two years ago. This will be my third season with them. I have found them extremely prone to disease. I lost any and all apples and most follage last year to disease and had to spray them weekly with a fungus killer to revive them after that. Needless to say, they were labor intensive last year so I'm hoping for a better growing season this year.

Most fruit trees need chill hours that much is established, If you would like to have a patio tree and have a screened in porch where it could get the winter chill hours without being indoors you are in luck.I have this tree myself BUT it's obviously not getting the sunlight it needs because nothing ever blooms on any of my columnar trees. I'm thinking of digging them up and moving them to the other side of the house. So the road to success is chill hours and then sunlight during the spring summer and fall. Don't forget to use dormant oil before any buds open even if you have it stashed on a porch all winter long! I follow up with an antifungal spray like captan after flowers are done and later on with an organic insecticide. I just love fresh fruits in summer! My peaches always come ripe on my birthday.

I live near Athens, GA similar to the other reviewer (Zone 8a) and have 2 columnar apple trees in 24" pots. It freezes here, but not enough to cause an issue with the apple trees over ~5 years, even a freeze that killed all of the rosemary that had been here 10+ years. I do not cover for protection except to cover the flowers/leaves when we have the occasional late frost/freeze after bloom. (I recently read that that is likely not necessary).

I have the golden and scarlet sentinel columnar varieties and got my first apple last year after a squirrel stole a few and I wizened up and protected the remaining apple. It was the most delicious apple! I properly pruned the tree in the early spring this year and see a lot more apples growing on both trees this year. Can't wait!

I also learned here that in the spring bloom/pollen season these trees require spraying (I use copper fungicide) to prevent rust from junipers nearby.

For these columnar apple trees, I did not expect much the first two seasons because they were so small/immature when planted. But, in general, this what I would suggest:

Fertilize 10-10-10 in the early Spring and early summer. If you get apples, do NOT fertilize after harvest. Any extra growth will make it harder to produce apples the next season.

In the late Fall, after the leaves have dropped, prune the trees back a bit. There are videos around that show you how to prune the columnar trees. You want them to be pretty much straight up and down...and prune so they do not spread horizontal. When you prune in the Fall, it will make it easier for a harvest the next year. Also, save the prunings and use them in a smoker/grill...it's "free" apple wood :)

Also, keep in mind that you may have biennial trees. It does not happen all the time but it is possible for a tree to have alternate years of few or no fruits and then a year of bountiful fruits. So, you could have a tree that produces a lot more apples every other year.

My columnar trees are also on their third season and I have not expected apples until this year...they are much more mature now. The tallest is over 5 foot tall. I pruned them last Fall, fertilized them as soon as I saw buds for leaves. I will be very happy if I get apples this year.

Fall is the best time to plant trees and bushes. They can root in over the winter and be ready to grow in the spring. be sure to spray with liquid copper and Monterey oil to fend off critters in the winter months.

Hi Kim, when growing in a container you'll still need to give the pot added protection from a freeze by either moving it into an unheated garage, shed or basement along with wrapping with burlap. Without this protection, the roots will possibly still freeze regardless of the pot size.

Plant in a container that is 16-20" in diameter using good-quality potting soil. The tree should be planted so that the graft union (the swollen-looking bump in the trunk near the base of the tree) will be no more than 1" above the surface. Place the container outdoors in full sun for the growing season.

Our trees are shipped at 2 years of age.

We appreciate you reaching out to us. You can find the years-to-bear information in the Characteristics section, near the top of the page, underneath the description. This tree takes 2-4 years to bear
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!