A close-up of red apples growing on a tree branch with green leaves in an outdoor orchard setting.

Stayman Winesap Apple Tree

2-3ft
$54.95
$54.95
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A close-up of red apples growing on a tree branch with green leaves in an outdoor orchard setting.
  • A close-up of red apples growing on a tree branch with green leaves in an outdoor orchard setting.
  • A fruit tree laden with many red apples, standing in a grassy orchard with green foliage and scattered apple skins on the ground.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • Close-up of pale pink and white blossoms on a tree branch with green leaves, photographed outdoors against a softly blurred green background.
  • A row of apple trees laden with red apples in an orchard, with green grass along the side under a cloudy sky.
  • A close-up of red apples growing on a tree branch with green leaves in an outdoor orchard setting.
  • A fruit tree laden with many red apples, standing in a grassy orchard with green foliage and scattered apple skins on the ground.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • Close-up of pale pink and white blossoms on a tree branch with green leaves, photographed outdoors against a softly blurred green background.
  • A row of apple trees laden with red apples in an orchard, with green grass along the side under a cloudy sky.
Stayman Winesap Apple Tree

Stayman Winesap Apple Tree

$54.95
$54.95
Size

Malus domestica 'Stayman Winesap'

The Stayman Winesap is a classic, heirloom apple variety cherished for its complex, wine-like flavor and exceptional versatility. A favorite among home orchardists and culinary enthusiasts alike, this vigorous grower offers a reliable harvest of crisp, tart-sweet fruit that has stood the test of time since its introduction in the late 19th century.

As spring warms the orchard, the tree erupts in a stunning display of fragrant, soft-pink blossoms that provide an early-season treat for pollinators. By mid-to-late autumn, the branches are heavy with medium-to-large, dull-red apples characterized by a distinctively sharp, aromatic flesh. Whether eaten fresh, sliced into salads, or cooked into pies and ciders, the Stayman Winesap delivers a rich, nostalgic taste that grocery store apples simply cannot match.

The Ecological Footprint

  • Pollinator Haven: The abundant spring blossoms provide a critical early nectar source, attracting honeybees, native bees, and butterflies to your landscape.

  • Wildlife Sustenance: Beyond human harvest, fallen fruit serves as a high-energy food source for local fauna, supporting birds and beneficial mammals as they prepare for winter.

  • Orchard Diversity: As a historic cultivar, planting this tree helps preserve genetic biodiversity and promotes a resilient, polyculture garden environment.

  • Carbon Sequestration: Like all long-lived trees, it plays a vital role in capturing atmospheric carbon, contributing to the long-term health and climate stability of your property.

The Honest Harvest (What to Expect)

  • The Perks: Offers a sophisticated, tangy-sweet flavor profile that improves in storage, excellent disease resistance compared to modern varieties, and heavy, reliable annual yields.

  • The Caveats: Requires a cross-pollinator to produce fruit, as it is self-sterile. The fruit is prone to skin cracking during periods of heavy, late-season rainfall, and the tree requires regular structural pruning to manage its spreading growth habit.

Specifications

  • Botanical Name: Malus domestica 'Stayman Winesap'

  • Common Names: Stayman Winesap, Stayman

  • Mature Height: 12-15 feet (semi-dwarf)

  • Mature Width: 12-15 feet

  • Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18 inches per year)

  • Lifespan: 35-50+ years

  • USDA Zones: 5-8

  • Chill Hours: 800-1,000 hours

  • Sun Preference: Full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily)

  • Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic loam

  • Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

  • Water Needs: Moderate; consistent moisture required during fruit development

  • Flower Color: Soft pink to white; mid-spring

  • Fruit Type: Medium-to-large, dark red apple; late autumn harvest

  • Pollinators: Requires cross-pollination (e.g., Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith)

  • Growth Habit: Spreading, open, vigorous canopy

  • Spacing: 15-18 feet apart

  • Landscape Uses: Home orchards, espalier, edible landscaping, fresh market production

  • Maintenance Level: Moderate (requires annual dormant pruning and thinning)

Planting & Care Guide

  • Hydration: Water deeply at the time of planting to settle the root ball, and maintain a consistent watering schedule throughout the first two growing seasons to ensure deep root establishment.

  • Siting: Select a site with excellent air circulation and full sun exposure to reduce humidity around the leaves and fruit, which helps minimize fungal issues.

  • Mulching: Spread a 3-inch layer of wood chips or straw around the base of the tree, extending to the drip line, to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture; keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

  • Establishment: During the initial years, prioritize structural training through careful pruning to develop a strong central leader or modified open-center framework.

  • Pruning: Conduct heavy pruning while the tree is dormant in late winter to remove dead wood, cross-branches, and to open the canopy for better sunlight and airflow.

  • Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring, just as buds begin to swell, to support healthy shoot growth and vigorous fruit production.

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