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Apple Trees that Can Survive Warm West Texas zone 8a

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:47 pm
by vebyrd36
Well we lost 4 Apple trees last year cuz of the heat. So now I'm looking to replace them this year. Trying to decide, so help info would be grateful.

Golden Delicious,
Gravenstein,
Granny Smith.
Black Twig apples

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:47 pm
by JONA878
I would suggest in this case Vebyrd that you chose the apples that are native to the States.

Black Twig..(other name Arkansas.)...1833 .Rhea Mills. Arkansas.

Goldens....1890. Clay County

Both USA bred fruits and so more used to the climate.

Granny Smith..1868.....New South Wales . Australia.
Again an apple that takes a hot climate.

Gravenstein..1600.....Castle Gravenstein Germmany. Much more a temperate climate apple so could be difficult in hot weather.

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:11 pm
by vebyrd36
Thank you.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:11 pm
by plainsman50
Vebyrd,

Of the apples you listed, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are both grown commercially here in Lubbock County, Texas using drip irrigation. Gala is also another very productive and also good quality apple grown commercially on the South Plains. My favorite locally grown apple is Arkansas Black. It matures very late, at the end of October. It is an excellent keeper, it has a beautiful dark, almost black fruit, and it develops an outstanding flavor and texture in this climate. The tree is relatively heat tolerant. I don't think it is the same cultivar as Black Twig, but I just did the briefest Google search. My little "orchard" has two Arkansas Blacks and one Gala.

Although you didn't ask, I'm not a big fan of locally grown Golden Delicious for fresh eating, because most years they fail to develop a crisp enough texture. Granny Smith is crisp, but locally grown ones always taste sour to me. However, GD makes wonderful cider and GS is a great cooking apple. Again, this is my opinion and I'm sure plenty of people would disagree with me.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:42 pm
by JONA878
Hi Plainsman..

Arkansas is also called Black Twig or Mammoth Black Twig.

One thing to look out for with Gala is that it is very prone to Scab infection but a warm climate would help keep the infections at bay.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:57 pm
by applestar
I have Arkansas Black. I bought it because it is supposed to be disease resistant, and so far has not been bothered by fireblight or cedar-apple rust which are my two worst in this area. I spray minimally if at all and only with organic remedies and preventives.

Very intense flavor. We love it. :D

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:09 pm
by vebyrd36
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking Arkansas black apples

Ein Shemer

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 7:13 am
by Artemesia
Ein Shemer Apple Tree is a very low chilling selection from Israel. It is very drought and heat tolerant and very disease resistant.