King David apple trees

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• Picking season: Very late
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 3

A popular Arkansas variety with a rich southern flavor.

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King David apple trees for sale

Pre-order for delivery in spring 2027

• 1Semi-dwarf, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  
• 2Full-size, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95 Mature height: 16ft-24ft after 10 years
  Vigorous rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  

All about King David apple trees

King David is a handsome southern apple. The flushed orange skin, reminscent of Jonathan, one of its probable parents, becomes much darker as the season progresses.

The apples hang on the tree almost to winter, and are at their best for eating at this point. Unusually for such a late variety it is not a particularly long keeper.

How to grow

King David is a vigorous tree, with good disease resistance, including reasonable resistance to fireblight. It regularly features in online grower discussions on disease-resistant apples.

It is suitable for both cold and warm zones, and one of the easiest varieties for the backyard orchard.

Bitter pit can be a problem in younger trees, this is sometimes caused by over-feeding (particularly of nitrogen). It is also important to thin the fruitlets in late spring, this helps ensure the remaining fruits achieve a good size, and also prevents the tree lapsing into bearing only in alternate years.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

King David was found growing in a hedgerow in Washington County, Arkansas in 1893. It was subsequently introduced for sale by the famous Stark Brothers nursery.

The parentage of King David is not certain, but most authorities agree it is probably a seedling of Jonathan, pollinated either by Winesap or Arkansas Black (which is itself thought to be descended from Winesap).

King David characteristics

• What level of gardening skill is needed to grow King David?Average
• Is King David self-fertile?Not self-fertile
• What flowering group is King David?3
• Is King David good for pollinating others?Poor
• What season do you pick King David?Very late
• UsesEating freshCulinaryJuiceHard cider
• How long can you keep King David in a fridge?1-2 months
• What is the overall disease resistance of King David?Good
• How resistant is King David to fire blight?Very resistant
• Is King David resistant to scab?Some resistance
• Is King David resistant to cedar apple rust?Some resistance
• What is the USDA hardiness zone for King David?Zone 4 (-34C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Hot (>30C / 86F)
• Where does King David originate from?United States
• When was King David first introduced?1850 - 1899
• Fruit colorCrimson