Stark® Royal Gala® Apple Tree

Stark® Royal Gala® Apple is a Stark Bro’s exclusive — and the Gala story belongs to Stark Bro’s. Royal Gala was patented by Stark Bro’s in 1977, and Stark Bro’s introduced the Gala apple to the United States, bringing what would become one of the most widely planted apple varieties in the world to American home orchardists. Royal Gala is the premium red sport of that original variety: the same sweet, crisp, fine-firm flesh with the characteristic mild tang that comes from the Cox’s Orange Pippin × Stark® Golden Delicious cross — in a more richly colored, bright orange-red package. Ripens late August, medium-sized, productive and compact. A pollinator is required.

Stark Bro’s Patented Royal Gala — Our Heritage Variety

The Gala apple’s American introduction traces directly to Stark Bro’s, and the Royal Gala patent in 1977 established the premium red sport that became the standard for high-quality Gala production. Growing Stark® Royal Gala® means growing a variety with genuine heritage behind it — not just a widely popular apple, but the apple that Stark Bro’s brought to America and helped establish as one of the most beloved fresh-eating varieties in the world.

Cox’s Orange Pippin × Stark® Golden Delicious — A Classic Cross

The parentage tells the flavor story. Cox’s Orange Pippin contributes the aromatic, complex character and the mild tanginess that makes Gala more interesting than straightforwardly sweet varieties. Stark® Golden Delicious contributes the warmth, the fine firm texture, and the approachable sweetness. The result is a medium-sized apple with bright orange-red color, fine firm white flesh, and a sweet-tart balance that makes it genuinely outstanding for fresh eating from late August onward.

Late August — Early Season, Compact and Productive

Royal Gala’s late August ripening opens the main apple season ahead of most fall varieties, delivering the first premium fresh-eating apple of the season when mid-summer fruit is winding down. The compact, productive tree is well-suited to smaller home orchards and gardens where efficient use of space is important.

Why Growers Choose Stark® Royal Gala® Apple

• A Stark Bro’s exclusive — Royal Gala patented by Stark Bro’s in 1977, Gala introduced to America by Stark Bro’s
• Sweet-tart, fine-firm flesh — Cox’s Orange Pippin complexity with Golden Delicious warmth
• Bright orange-red coloring — visually distinctive at late August harvest
• Early-season ripening — the first premium apple of the fall harvest period
• Compact and productive — suited to smaller home orchards and gardens
• A pollinator is required — see Starkspur® Golden Delicious or Starkrimson® Red Delicious