Starkspur® Arkansas Black Apple Tree

Starkspur® Arkansas Black is one of the most visually striking and practically remarkable apple varieties in the Stark Bro’s catalog — a Stark Bro’s exclusive with deep crimson, nearly black fruit that stores for up to eight months, develops richer flavor after refrigeration, and carries triple disease resistance to scab, fire blight, and rust. The Starkspur® spur-bearing habit means fruit develops along the entire length of every limb — from trunk to tip — for harvests that go far beyond what standard apple trees produce from their outermost branches alone.

Nearly Black Fruit That Gets Better in Storage

Arkansas Black’s deep crimson coloring approaches true black at maturity — a visually dramatic and genuinely unusual appearance that makes it a standout in any orchard or fruit bowl. The flavor is tart, very firm, and complex, but here’s what makes it exceptional: the flavor matures and deepens after a stint in cold storage, developing a richer, more nuanced character over time. With proper refrigeration, that improvement keeps the apples in premium condition for up to eight months — one of the longest storage lives of any apple variety.

Fruit From Trunk to Tip — The Starkspur® Advantage

Standard apple trees produce fruit primarily on their outer limbs. Starkspur® varieties produce on compact fruiting spurs along the entire length of every limb — from the trunk outward to the tip — resulting in a more concentrated, productive, and manageable harvest from a tree that uses every inch of its growth to deliver fruit. That spur-bearing habit is what makes the Starkspur® designation meaningful.

Triple Disease Resistance — Scab, Fire Blight, and Rust

Arkansas Black’s disease resistance package covers three of the most common and damaging apple diseases simultaneously. Scab, fire blight, and rust resistance in a single tree means a lower-maintenance orchard with cleaner fruit and more reliable performance across a wide range of growing conditions in Zones 4–8.

Important: Starkspur® Arkansas Black may be triploid and cannot pollinate other apple varieties. Plant at least two different non-triploid varieties in addition to Arkansas Black for proper fruit production, or choose self-pollinating varieties as companions.

Why Growers Choose Starkspur® Arkansas Black

• A Stark Bro’s exclusive — only available from Stark Bro’s
• Nearly black deep crimson fruit — one of the most visually dramatic apples available
• Up to 8 months of storage — exceptional keeping quality, flavor improves after refrigeration
• Starkspur® spur-bearing habit — fruit from trunk to tip for exceptional productivity
• Triple disease resistance — scab, fire blight, and rust
• Cold hardy in Zones 4–8 — reliable performance across a wide range of climates

Lonacre cv.