Ghost Apple Tree

Plant collectors and apple lovers, come take a good look at this unusual fruit. Ghost Apple (Malus domestica Ghost') is a recent introduction from the world-famous Zaiger team. Way more than just a novelty, we predict you'll start seeing plenty of Ghosts. The taste is outstanding!

This heat resistant variety is great for all apple usages, and features a low chill requirement. It's also cold hardy! That makes it extremely popular for edible landscaping from Zone 5 all the way down into Zone 9. There are reports of success in Zone 10, too.

Developed in the hot, interior valley of central California, Ghost is a variety that has survived a trial by fire. It's had to endure typical summer temperatures of 100 to 110 degrees. Most varieties of apples either sunburn, or drop all their fruit under these extreme temperatures, but not Ghost. The pale fruit just shines in the summer sun.

The beautiful white skin actually reflects that hot summer sun, and thereby avoids the typical damaging effect of the heat. But at the same time, the heat contributes to the taste-test approved, sweet flavor.

Ghost is all about the sweetness of the fruit. This sub-acid variety has no tartness. For those that love fruit for dessert, Ghost Apple will be a favorite.

Can you imagine the kids in your life? They'll go bananas for the funny name, unusual look and sugary-sweet taste of the Ghost!

With pretty white flowers in spring, and delicious white apples that glow in sun or under the moonlight, the Ghost Apple offers a lot of interest. Add one to your backyard orchard today!

You'll be one of the first to sink your teeth into these cool fruits, but definitely not the last. We predict that Ghost is going to be extremely popular, order now.

How to Use Ghost Apple in the Landscape

While it blooms late, Ghost Apple is actually a mid-season ripening selection. You'll need a pollinating partner. Try a Dolgo Crabapple, or use any of the mid-season blooming apples, such as Gala, Fuji or McIntosh.

In high desert climates, use either the Anna or Dorsett Golden as a pollinator to ensure a great crop.

Backyard orchards can be kept compact and manageable with summertime pruning each year. Decide how tall and wide you want your tree to be, then keep it there. Trees under 8 feet are easier to harvest.

If you want to keep it smaller, consider growing in a high density planting. Read our blogs or watch our YouTube videos on how to create and care for 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 plantings.

You can also plant them in a hedge row to give you a welcome privacy screen. Simply space them in a row 5 to 7 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one tree to the center of the next.

Careful selection of varieties can help you with pollination partners. You'll also extend your harvest period for up to 5 months of fantastic, homegrown apples.

Start picking the Ghost crop as the summer heat comes on. It's versatile and can be used in many ways.

Ghost is wonderful straight off the tree as a fresh eating variety. Pick a few and put them right into the refrigerator for a cold, crisp, crunchy afternoon treat on a hot summer day.

This variety has good firmness and can be baked into an unexpected summer pie or tarts for breakfast. Don't discount the reward of adding a Ghost Apple to the blender for a healthy morning smoothie.

Throw slices on the grill in the summer for a minute or two on each side. There is nothing that complements meat like the savory sweetness of a slice of grilled apple.

Add to salads and sandwiches. Try in out-of-this-world prepared chutney, or juice it. And of course, you'll want to add it to cheese plates as an easy, but very special after-dinner offering.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Plant your Ghost Apple tree in a full sun location that gets plenty of early morning sun. This is the drying sun and helps to cut down on moisture-related diseases.

Apples can tolerate wet locations, as long as the drainage is good. With soil that holds water long after a rain event, you'll want to raise up the planting site. Create a raised bed, or bring in additional soil mounded in a heap 12 - 18 inches tall, 3 feet wide. You'll plant in that mound to improve drainage away from the crown of the root.

In hot, dry climates, apply at least 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the tree. Spread it out 3 feet from the outside of the canopy. This helps to keep roots cool in the hot summer and cut down on surface evaporation, saving you the cost of water.

Give your trees a location with good air drainage. You'll want to prune in late winter to remove branches growing into the interior of the canopy. The goal is to keep the canopy open to improve air flow and light penetration.

Prune in summer to control the overall height of the tree. It is recommended to keep all fruit trees below 10 feet tall for ease of maintenance and harvest. Summer pruning is the best way to control height and spread.

In hotter climates, when summer pruning always be careful to only allow filtered sunlight into the canopy and don't overexpose previously unexposed limbs and branches. You'll also want to use a tree wrap or paint the trunk with a white, interior latex paint diluted by 50% with water. This will avoid sunburn damage on the trunk for the first few years.

Ghost is a cutting-edge variety that is one-of-a-kind. Cold hardy, it's also possibly the finest hot weather apple varieties. They are in limited supply, order yours today or risk having to wait until next year!

Ghost Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant Ghost 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 Ghost 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 Ghost 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 Ghost 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 Ghost 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 Ghost 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

Ghost Apple Tree Pollinating Info

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

• Anna Apple Tree
• Dorsett Golden Apple Tree
• McIntosh Apple Tree
• Gala Apple Tree
• Fuji Apple Tree
• Granny Smith Apple Tree

Harvest Times for Ghost Apple Trees

Ghost’s are typically ready to harvest in July.

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 Ghost Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!