Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple Tree

Malus 'Tasty Red'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 4-8 with a narrow columnar form that fits patios, small yards, and urban gardens
Produces sweet, crisp red apples perfect for fresh eating straight from the tree
Stays naturally compact at 8-10 ft tall and just 2-3 ft wide with minimal pruning required
Fragrant white spring blossoms attract bees and provide early-season pollinator support

$133⁶⁰

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Plant Size

#2 Container | 3-4 ft

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily for the best fruit production. Trees in partial shade will bloom and grow but yield significantly fewer apples.

Soil: Plant in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Amend heavy clay with compost and coarse sand to improve drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects, as apple roots are prone to rot in soggy conditions.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply once or twice per week during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature trees need about one inch of water weekly during the growing season, especially while fruit is developing. Consistent moisture prevents fruit drop and cracking, but never let the roots sit in standing water.

Pruning Tips

Columnar apples require minimal pruning compared to standard apple trees. Remove any side shoots longer than four to six inches in late winter to maintain the narrow form. Thin fruit clusters to two or three apples per cluster in early summer to improve fruit size and prevent branch stress.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in early spring just as buds begin to swell, following package rates. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers after June, as excessive nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit and reduces winter hardiness.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Low Maintenance, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Cold hardy
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	8-10 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	White
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors, Container
Botanical Name	Malus 'UEB 4305/4'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	UEB 4305/4
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

The Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple (Malus 'UEB 4305/4') brings homegrown fruit within reach for gardeners who thought they lacked the space. This innovative columnar apple tree grows straight up rather than out, reaching 8 to 10 feet tall while staying just 2 to 3 feet wide. That slender profile makes it ideal for patios, balconies, narrow side yards, and anywhere a traditional spreading apple tree simply would not fit.

Fresh Apples from a Fraction of the Space

Tasty Red™ produces medium-sized apples with attractive red skin and sweet, crisp flesh that is perfect for eating fresh. The fruit ripens in fall and holds well on the tree, letting you pick at your leisure rather than racing to harvest all at once. For gardeners accustomed to ornamental plants, there is something deeply satisfying about walking out your door and picking a ripe apple from a tree you grew yourself.

Spring Blooms, Fall Harvest

In mid to late spring, clusters of fragrant white blossoms cover the branches and draw bees and other pollinators to your garden. The flowers are attractive in their own right, making this tree earn its keep even before the fruit appears. As summer progresses, small green apples swell and gradually take on their signature red color, creating seasonal interest from spring through fall.

Perfect for Modern Landscapes

The columnar habit is not just a space saver. It creates a strong vertical accent that works beautifully in contemporary garden designs, mixed borders, or even lined up as a fruiting hedge or living screen. Plant several in a row along a fence line, use a pair to frame an entryway, or grow a single specimen in a large container on a sunny deck.

Easy Care for Beginning Orchardists

Unlike traditional apple trees that demand regular pruning to maintain shape and productivity, columnar varieties stay naturally tidy. You will still want to thin fruit for better size and remove wayward side shoots, but the workload is a fraction of what full-sized apples require. That makes Tasty Red™ an excellent choice for first-time fruit growers who want success without a steep learning curve.

For best fruit set, plant a second apple variety nearby for cross-pollination. Other columnar apples or any apple that blooms at the same time will work as a pollination partner.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Tasty Red™ Fruit Snacks® Apple Tree require a pollinator, and if so, which one?

Most apple trees, including Tasty Red™, need cross-pollination from another apple variety to produce fruit reliably. Plant another apple tree that blooms in mid to late spring within 50 feet, or check if neighbors have compatible varieties nearby. Crabapples also work as effective pollinators for columnar apples.

Can the Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ Apple Tree be grown in containers or pots?

Yes, the Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ can be grown in a large container on a sunny deck. Its compact 2-3 foot width and columnar growth habit make it ideal for container growing. Choose a substantial pot and ensure full sun for best fruit production.

What are the sunlight requirements for the Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple Tree?

The Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple Tree needs full sun to produce its best fruit crop. Like all apple varieties, it requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering and fruit development. Choose the sunniest spot in your garden or patio for maximum harvest.

What soil type and pH does the Tasty Red™ Fruit Snacks® Apple prefer?

Tasty Red™ columnar apples thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. They adapt to most soil types but perform best in fertile, loamy conditions. Amend heavy clay with compost and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

How do I plant and care for the Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple Tree after receiving it?

Plant in full sun with well-draining soil, spacing 2-3 feet from structures since it stays naturally narrow. Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then provide occasional deep watering. Minimal pruning needed - just remove suckers and thin fruit clusters for better apple size.

What is the growth rate of the Tasty Red™ Fruit Snacks® Columnar Apple Tree?

The Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple has a moderate growth rate, reaching its mature size of 8-10 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide over several years. This steady pace allows the tree to establish strong roots while maintaining its naturally compact columnar form. Expect fruit production to begin within 2-3 years of planting.

Fruit Snacks® Tasty Red™ Columnar Apple Tree

Malus 'Tasty Red'