Description

Easy to Grow! A Stark Pick

Change your perception of what “delicious” really means. In 1914, Paul Stark Sr. introduced an apple with an outstanding flavor that was sweet and juicy with a hint of spice. This highly productive tree bears the sensational fruit that, when picked at its peak, is better than what you find in supermarkets. An instant favorite for pies, salads, and your taste buds. Discovered by Anderson Mullins in West Virginia. Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant. One of the most dependable pollinators for other varieties. Ripens in late September. Self-pollinating.

Survival Guaranteed!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Mid
Chill Hours 800 - 1500
Fruit Color Yellow
Fruit Size Medium - Large
Hardiness Zone Range 4 - 9
Pollination Self-Pollinating
Ripens/Harvest Late September
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Taste Mild, Sweet
Texture Crisp, White
Years to Bear 2 - 5

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide
Dwarf 8 - 10' tall x 8 - 10' wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15'
Dwarf 8 - 10'

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 4 - 9
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

This variety is self pollinating.

In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. Plant one of these varieties within 100' for best results.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

Questions & Answers

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167 Questions
Why did you choose this?

I love to bake and it is an excellent choice for my zone (9A)

I grew up with apple trees and wanted to one of my own.

Good for baking and had one previously that was beautiful

Was looking for a self pollinator, and partner for my other apple tree.

How long does it take for dwarf fruit tree to reach full height?

That depends on the tree, variety, environment, care, and maintenance. If you start with an average 3-4 ft tall apple tree, then I'd estimate it would be around 4-6 years after planting before it's near its 8-ft height. Just an estimate though. It's important to note that, under the right conditions, the tree often fruits before it has reached its mature height.

when does the Stark Golden Delicious bloom?

Golden Delicious blooms mid season, which overlaps the later blossoms of early-blooming varieties as well as the blossoms of later-blooming varieties. This helps it to be an excellent pollinator for other apple trees.

Can I espalier this tree?

Short answer is: yes. You can espalier practically any fruit tree, including this one. The dwarf size is the easiest to espalier. Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees

My golden delicious does not produce fruit or blossoms. Is the fact that the tree is shaded by a larger non fruit tree cause a problem?

How old is your tree? I would prune the shade tree so it gets more sun. Is it healthy? Are you feeding it with fertilizer? Does it get plenty of water?

Is it possible for me to grow Stark Golden Delicious plant in a container?

You can grow almost anything in a container! The dwarf size will give you the best chance of success. This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1

Is this disease resistant ?

I think the nearby cedar trees are the problem. I planted three apple trees in my yard 7 years ago...a braeburn, a honey crisp and an urban green apple tree. If I get blossoms, they quickly shrivel up and fall off. Two years ago I added a supreme- dwarf golden delicious for pollination. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what the problem was....I had pruned and fertilized. Finally, through research, I discovered that the near by eastern cedar hedge must be the problem. The only onther plant/tree in my yard that wasn't thriving/blossoming was a double mock orange blossom....had it 5 years and it never bloomed. I read that the eastern cedar causes problems with both apple trees and mock orange blossoms! My neighbor isn't getting rid of his hedge; therefore, I will probably offer the apple trees to a friend with acreage.

When does a yellow apple tree grow leaves?

The golden delicious apple tree starts to grow leaves in mid to late April.

What are the min. Chilling hours for golden delicious?

I am having trouble sifting through the trees that your system says are good for my zip code here in Florida which sits on the line of 9B and 10A as so many of your trees that say they are good for zone 9 show as good for me and then require 600-800 chill hours which we get nowhere near here and I don't think most zone 9 areas get. Is it possible to list required chill hours in top easy to find in all of your fruit trees instead of requiring everyone to ask for each one? Thanks, TJ

When do you harvest?

Typically Late September.

I planted a golden delicious dwarf this spring & it is doing great but now it has yellow spots on the leaves. Any suggestions?

Just yellow spots = too much water, yellow with Brown middle is Apple Rust and you need to spray your trees

Customer Reviews

333 Ratings
4.0out of 5 stars
333 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 59% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 15% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 7% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 7% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 13% of reviewers

1-10 of 333 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
May 16, 2025
Highly recommend
Purchased bare root. I planted a month ago and it's leafing out, and it already has flower buds!
Rated 5 out of 5
May 16, 2025
Would buy again
Happy with the purchase, tree doing well, would consider buying again from this seller.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 1, 2025
Growing
I ordered this apple tree a dwarf size. We live in a building and have a small planting space in the front. When it arrived, it was a stick in a pot. I ordered this with a honey crisp and I planted it and my 8 y.o gave it a blessing. I follwed all the instructions and low and be hold, my sticks are now with leaves I am soo happy
Rated 5 out of 5
May 1, 2025
Highly Recommend
Purchased this dwarf tree a few years ago. It is fantastic. Easy keeper. Produces delicious large apples. Pruned to 8-9 ft. Easy to prune on a step ladder with hand clippers and long handled clippers. Highly recommend!! Lots of deer, small critters, birds love the tree as well. It produces so well that there are apples for us all.
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 18, 2025
Fantastic producer with juicy frui
Great production of my favorite apple which no one sells around here in stores. Very juicy fruit and prolific. I have four two in the ground and two in 25 gallon containers. My space is somewhat limited so the containers work great with the dwarf trees.
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 3, 2025
Promising
My plant is too young to bear but healthy and growing strong. No insect or disease problems and I do not spray. Strickly organic methods on all the gardens.
Rated 5 out of 5
Feb 5, 2025
Phew! Got the tree in time to plant
I was happy to see how well the tree was packaged. We had a relatively mild fall, so I was able to plant. I had the hole all prepared before hand and I watched the weather report and crossed my fingers that my tree would arrive before the snows arrived. I do question if Starks really knows what our weather is like from the zip code. I always double check the zones and google whether a tree lives in our area. We are at the foot of the Adirondacks and in the path of Lake Ontario's warmer waters (hence the lake-effect snows and rains). A week or so after it arrived would have been too late. I am hoping it is surviving the snow that dumped on us. Feet. Not inches. But the snow is a blessing in disguise, keeping the ground from freezing and letting the water release in the spring.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dec 24, 2024
Apple Trees
Careful packaging and healthy trees; wonderful pre order service
Rated 5 out of 5
Nov 18, 2024
So far so good. It arrived in early spring. I can't wait to see it next spring.
Rated 5 out of 5
Nov 1, 2024
Good Choice
Tree was a good size and has been growing good. Packaging was good. Price was good.