Idared Apple Tree

Lovely aromatic and refreshing, the Idared Apple Tree (Malus x 'Idared') is a tasty cross between the Jonathan and the Wagener Apple varieties! Developed by the University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station in the 1940s, Idareds are all-purpose, easy-care fruit trees!

The sweet-tart apples follow the fragrant pinkish-white blooms in spring in this mid-season ripening fruit tree. Throughout the entire growing season, your tree will be visited by pollinators, Wildlife and songbirds as they find shelter, food and shade among its branches.

The heavy crop of fruit arrives on your young trees and continues reliably for years. The rounded red fruit can occasionally have pink-tinged yellowish-green flesh. Looking lovely fresh in salads, and for fresh eating, these stand up to short-term storage and long-term freezing. They make colorful applesauce and are a good general use baking apple.

Planting and Application:

Idared’s lovely blooms and smaller size make them ideal dual-purpose ornamental landscaping trees. Lovely flowering trees on their own, one specimen will anchor garden beds or shade a patio.

Tuck on into an orchard where it will benefit from pollination from other Apples such as the Anna, Cortland, Cripps Pink, Chestnut and Dolgo Crabapple, Empire, Fuji, Granny Smith, McIntosh and Wolf River.

• Fragrant Pinkish White Blossoms
• Smaller Size & Great Foliage
• Round Red Sweet-Tart Fruit
• Fresh, Baked, Preserves & Storing/Freezing
• 700-800 Chill Hours

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Apple Trees have the most flowers and fruit when planted in at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Provide an enriched, well-drained site with ample mulch for insulation and protection. Prune well in winter while they are dormant to improve air circulation and allow sunlight to reach the interior.

• Full Sun
• Consistently Moist, Well-Drained Soil
• Requires a Pollinator Species
• Prolific & Precocious
• Mulch Well for Insulation & Moisture Retention

Ornamental flowering dual-purpose trees like Idared Apple Tree are fantastic landscape additions that you and your backyard wildlife will enjoy. Sweet-tart goodness is awaiting you at NatureHills.com today!

Idared Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant Idared Apple Trees

Planting Bareroot trees as soon as you can dig a hole in spring and until hot weather, the earlier the better. Plant container Apple trees throughout the growing season with complete success - that is the benefit of container plants - to extend the planting season. Your County Agricultural Extension Office is a great resource for first and last frost dates in your area.

How to Plant Idared Apple Trees

Dig a large hole only as deep as needed to accommodate the bareroot or container root ball, and twice as wide. Add Nature Hills Root Booster to speed root establishment. Remove the pot or bag and situate it into the hole so the top of the soil (soil line if bareroot), is level with the new location's soil being careful not to plant too deep. Water in again very well and backfill with the same soil you dug up, tamping down gently to ensure there are no air pockets.

Top off with a 3-4 inch thick layer of Arborist mulch. Consider staking your tree to keep its trunk growing straight for the first year to ensure it stands tall against strong winds and drifting snow.

When to Prune Idared Apple Trees

Trim off any broken branches from delivery as soon as you take them out of the box. Prune and trim apple trees while dormant, in late winter or early spring, before you see new growth.

How to Prune Idared Apple Trees

Dormant prune to:

• Remove any double leaders or narrow crotch angles
• Eliminate any crossing branches
• Thin interior branching and leave the fruiting spurs and strong branches in place opening up the canopy
• Branching at least 24-36 inches above the ground

Prune Apple trees in the summer to:

• Control size and shape by reducing the length of longer new growth on vigorous trees
• Remove water sprouts on the main trunk or older branches in the crown
• Remove suckers at the base of the trunk
• Thin fruit during heavy years on established trees

How to Care for Idared Apple Trees

Growing an apple tree is easy when proper soil, good drainage, attention to moisture, and regular fertility are maintained. Once you've chosen an apple tree that works for your climate, in the size you need for your landscape, and its pollinator (if needed), then you've accomplished half the battle!

• Apple trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil
• Water your apple trees when it gets dry - especially during the fruit production stage, and drought periods to keep it stress-free
• Use arborists' wood chips to mulch over the roots of your apples and have your soil tested to see what your soil may be lacking before adding fertilizers
• Maintenance pruning and shaping

Apple trees will tolerate a wide range of soils, so long as water and nutrients are not limited and the pH level is adequate.

How to Fertilize Idared Apple Trees

For the first year, water alone is most important. It is always best to get a soil test to see what your soil is lacking before adding more fertilizers. Once established, a fertilizer routine may be beneficial. We do offer some excellent slow-release organic options, applied according to the package directions.

Fruit trees need more phosphate and it's possible to apply too much nitrogen which affects the soil's pH. Test soil acidity or alkalinity using a pH Tester.

Fertilize in spring when you first see new growth emerging.

• Don't overdo it
• Phosphates are your friends
• Pay attention to pH in areas with extremely high or low soil pH
• Follow the directions

Idared Apple Tree Pollinating Info

Idared is not self-fruiting and needs a pollinating partner. Pair with one of these varieties:

• Anna Apple Tree
• Cortland Apple Tree
• Pink Lady Apple Tree
• Dolgo Crabapple Tree
• Empire Apple Tree
• Fuji Apple Tree
• Granny Smith Apple Tree
• McIntosh Apple Tree
• Wolf River Apple Tree

Harvest Times for Idared Apple Trees

Idared’s are typically ready to harvest in October.

Early-Season? Mid-Season? Late-Season? The terminology can be confusing for new apple tree growers. Weather, climate and your tree determine when it's ripe.

For Apples:

• Early-season is usually June-July
• Mid-season can be August-September
• Late-season can be from late September-November

The growing season consists of spring, summer, and fall, and varies with climate and weather. Areas with longer growing seasons in the warmer hardiness zones can greatly affect the harvest times for each particular apple variety grown in your area. Learn which growing zone you are in.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Idared Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Head over to read more on Fruit Tree Care in our Garden Blog where more Fruit Tree Planting, Fruit Tree Pruning and Success Tips can be found!