Stark® Jon-A-Red® Jonathan Apple Tree
Description
Perfect for pie! Compact-growing tree yields a bright red fruit with that classic Jonathan sweet-tart taste. Make flavorful pies, adds complexity to cider, and is a top choice for old-fashioned candied apples. Originates from Waverly, Missouri in 1963. Ripens in mid September. Self-pollinating.
- Here’s where you can find our complete list of Jonathan Apple Trees to choose from.
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 | Red |
Fruit Size | Medium |
Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 8 |
Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
Ripens/Harvest | Mid September |
Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
Soil Composition | Loamy |
Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
Taste | Sweet |
Texture | Crisp |
Years to Bear | 2 - 5 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Semi-Dwarf | 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide |
Dwarf | 8 - 10' tall x 8 - 10' wide |
Recommended Spacing
Semi-Dwarf | 12 - 15' |
Dwarf | 8 - 10' |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
Tools & Supplies
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
Questions & Answers
After a few years of experiments in New York, my favorite so far is 50% ida red 25% cortland and 25% a mix of anything like mac/empire/honeycrisp/snapdragon/gala. The Ida's and Cort's have higher acid than the others that gives the hard cider a nice zip. If you can find golden russet or gold rush or yarlington mill or porter's perfection add them too. Don't use 100% gala, red del, or fuji (all very low acid) unless you want to see what bland watery hard cider tastes like. They're fine at 5-10%. Yeast selection influences 50% of the flavor too. Try champagne yeast, cote de blanc and nottingham ale for a spectrum of flavor and then try blending the finished ciders. (don't blend yeasts to ferment, they'll fight). Ferment temp changes flavor too, I like 60'F but if your kitchen is 72 try it and see.
Jon-a-Red is a self-pollinating apple tree, which means it can pollinate itself and other apple trees. Jonagold is pollen-sterile apple tree, which means it can be pollinated by other apple trees, but it cannot be used as a reliable pollen source for other apple trees. Because Jon-a-Red is self pollinating, it doesn't require another variety to get fruit, so it is a good "partner" for a tree like Jonagold.
Yes. I live in piedmont of NC and really wanted to grow this. My tree of a few yrs is alive but looks horrible. I must cut it down due to disease. I also admit I've not sprayed it. I hate using sprayd but I've learned they're required to be successful for some things growing in my zone. I don't think I'll try a replacement with spraying because it's been tough watching it struggle.
If your tree recently shipped it had leaves because it came potted and has not gone dormant yet. Your tree should transplant well and will go dormant naturally with all the other trees in your area.
If you're looking for disease-resistance in your Jonathan apple tree, Jonafree is the one to get. Regular Jonathans like this Jon-A-Red may be more susceptible to diseases like cedar apple rust.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.
You can plant new plants and trees:
1) when the ground is not frozen.
2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF.
3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
Mine is still alive but it is not thriving. The weather here in Texas is Zone B but Texas full son is not the same as Washington full sun. I think you will do better in Washington.
The Stark® Jon-A-Red® Jonathan Apple Tree is not considered a true heirloom variety. It is a modern selection of the classic Jonathan apple, which is an heirloom variety that dates back to the early 1800s.
Stark Jon-A-Red was developed as an improved strain of Jonathan, selected for its deeper red color, firmer texture, and longer storage life. While it retains much of the flavor and characteristics of the original Jonathan, it is a more recent selection, making it a sport variety rather than a historical heirloom.
There should be no problem as long as you don't over water it.
I think you should be able to do this as long as you plant the new tree a few feet away from the old tree. (You never want to plant a new tree directly over the roots of an old tree.) And I wouldn't recommend this if the old tree was a walnut tree. (The walnut tree actually uses "toxins" to out-compete other surrounding plants/trees. Not a problem with a maple.
as a pollinator
Like Jonathan apples
a gift for a friend that doesn't have a lot of space
Self-pollinating