Starkspur® Winter Banana Antique Apple Tree
Description
About the Starkspur® Winter Banana Apple Tree
A beloved heirloom apple tree improved for a bountiful crop! The Starkspur® Winter Banana Apple Tree was introduced in 1890. Unlike tip-bearing apple trees, this tree’s spur-type nature allows fruit to form along each limb — bearing from the trunk out. This means more Winter Banana apples from one tree. In addition to being a great producer, the crop stores well, making it a great choice for homesteaders and farmers' markets.
Characteristics of Winter Banana Apples
This heritage variety produces large, pale-yellow apples with a waxy finish and a blush of delicate rosy pink. The apples are moderately firm, crisp, and tangy, with juicy flesh. Their aromatic flavor, reminiscent of bananas, makes them a top choice for fresh eating and cider making.
How to grow a Starkspur® Winter Banana Apple Tree
This cold-hardy apple tree bears young and annually, producing medium to heavy crops. The abundant, showy blooms in spring make the Starkspur® Winter Banana Apple an excellent pollinator. It also tolerates late spring frosts better than many other varieties.
For best results, plant your Winter Banana apple tree in full sun and well-drained, loamy soil. Expect the delicious fruits to ripen in October and November.
Order Your Winter Banana Apple Tree Today!
The Starkspur® Winter Banana Apple Tree is a customer favorite for its unique flavor and versatility. Order yours now and enjoy homegrown apples for years to come!
Characteristics
| Bloom Time | Mid |
| Chill Hours | 400 |
| Fruit Color | Yellow |
| Fruit Size | Large |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 4 - 9 |
| Pollination | Pollinator Required |
| Ripens/Harvest | Late October |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Tangy |
| Texture | Firm, Crisp |
| Years to Bear | 2 - 5 |
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.
Questions & Answers
Yeah, my Starkspur Winter Banana Apple is healthy and does have velvet feel to new leaves that are developing but as they grow more to about half the size of your hand or the size of your hand they don't have that velvet feel anymore. As the leaves get bigger they should be less velvety. I hope this helps!
Our trees are young and will take several years to begin bearing once planted. Fig trees will be your best bet for fruiting in 1-2 years.
I am sorry to hear that this has happened. Please email Info@starkbros.com with pictures and a brief description so we can look into this for you.
If it is producing apples then there may be another apple tree with the same bloom time near by and so wind, birds or bees are pollinating it.
Yes, a Winter Banana apple tree can be trained and pruned into a columnar form, though it is not naturally a columnar variety. With proper pruning and management, you can encourage it to grow in a narrow, upright shape suitable for small spaces.
The honey crisp would be a great pollinator for this variety as they have an overlapping Mid season bloom time.
We list pollinator possibilities on the product page, this is a mid season bloomer so you will need another mid season for pollination such as Jon a red, Golden delicious and Red delicious just to name a few.
Starkspur® Winter Banana Antique Apple Tree
We are very sorry this happened David, it may be that the tree sold out very quickly or that it is growing but anticipating for it to be available therefore you could place an order. It is hard to say for sure but we apologize for this inconvenience.
Yes this is a Mid season bloomer and will pollinate with the Pink lady and the Fuji depending on the variety.
Yes these will pollinate together.
Customer Reviews
Thank You
Tom
I have wanted one for a long time.
As a child my grandfather had one of these trees. I really enjoyed eating these apples. Hoping to regain this delicious flavored apple experience.
A friend told me about this tree and your nursery.
Fond memories as a child buying these apples and people thinking I was making it up! BUT you have them!! They are for my husband and my 25 Anniversary