Winesap Apple Tree

The Winesap Apple Tree (Malus 'Winesap') is an heirloom Apple variety whose history dates from the 1700s. The variety was further developed in the 1800s and became a fast favorite among growers. Still one of the leading varieties being grown in the United States, and if you plant one (or 20), you'll quickly see why!

Nature Hills Nursery’s Winesap Apple is also called the 'Stayman Winesap Apple', and is a prime choice for eating fresh, juicing and baking.

This is no wallflower! In springtime, bright red blooms provide a resplendent show, creating a spectacle the whole neighborhood can enjoy.

When harvest time comes in September or October, your tree will be heavy with large-sized fruit. The flesh is tart yellow and very juicy, tinged with russet and red dots, and occasionally some red veining.

This moderately crisp Apple has a firm, somewhat coarse bite with a spritely, tart, acidic taste, complete with a wine-like flavor. Thought to be one of the juiciest varieties, the Winesap is an all-purpose Apple you can slice for fruit trays and salads, crisps and tarts, or even bake a classic Apple pie.

This delicious apple keeps for up to three months in cold storage, so you have lots of time to preserve your harvest, whether you can them, make Applesauce and Apple butter, or choose to dehydrate them for enjoyment all year long.

How to Use Winesap Apple Tree In The Landscape

The spring display is unlike any other Apple tree with brilliant pinkish-red blooms instead of more typical white and pink. Fragrant blossoms erupt onto the scene and call beneficial pollinators.

Also drawing your neighbors attention, a privacy row of these lovely trees will not be minded by anyone being hidden from the view!

The upright, oval shape is just another ornamental quality this tree provides! Line your property or tuck among your other planting beds to provide shade and tasty snacks throughout the growing season.

Shade your patio or vegetable garden or set your picnic basket beneath one of these beauties for a spring Apple blossom party all your own!

Gorgeous as specimen and accent plants, edible landscaping and dual-purpose sites are perfect for these smaller-sized trees. Home orchards welcome the addition of this fantastic heirloom.

#ProPlantTips For Care

Growers love the easy-to-maintain tree, grown in zones 5-8. Requiring full sun for the largest yield, provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

A smaller-sized tree, this variety grows best in dry, sandy, well-drained soil with regular watering. Not drought tolerant, these need supplemental watering and mulch for moisture retention.

Prune to thin fruit, or while dormant to keep the canopy open, allowing sunlight and air circulation into the interior.

Order your red blooms and red fruit of the Winesap Apple tree from NatureHills.com today and get started now before these antique gems sell out!

Winesap Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant Winesap 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 Winesap 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 Winesap 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 Winesap 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 Winesap 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 Winesap 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

Winesap Apple Tree Pollinating Info

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

• Gala Apple Tree
• Fuji Apple Tree
• Red Delicious Apple Tree
• Golden Delicious Apple Tree

Harvest Times for Winesap Apple Trees

Winesap’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.

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 Winesap Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Rootstocks Explained

Apple trees have been grafted onto different rootstocks since before the mid-1800s. Different rootstocks are used to improve the anchoring of trees, eliminate diseases, and reduce the natural mature size of the tree itself. While there are many different types of rootstock, they are all labeled as being either Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf, or Standard.

The apple descriptions, including flowering, pollination, and apple characteristics are the same whether the plant is grown on a standard rootstock or some varying dwarfing rootstock. The overall size can vary by climate and soil but the understock used is ultimately what affects the mature size.

There will be some variation in sizes but as a guide, we are suggesting the overall mature size of these apple varieties are:

Semi-Dwarf Apples

• Height: 12-18 feet
• Spread: 10 - 15 feet

Standard Apples

• Height 18 - 25 feet
• Spread: 15 - 18 feet

Remember that all fruit tree sizes can easily be altered if needed by simple pruning as the trees grow and develop.