Apple, Arkansas Black, Bare Root

Apple, Arkansas Black (Malus domestica 'Arkansas Black')

Arkansas Black is a striking, late-season heirloom apple known for its deep burgundy skin, dense flesh, and exceptional storage life. First discovered in the mid-1800s in Benton County, Arkansas, this Southern classic has earned a devoted following among cider makers, bakers, and heirloom apple collectors. Its firm texture and tart flavor mellow over time, making it ideal for long-term storage and late-season eating. Arkansas Black thrives in warm climates and is a beautiful and functional addition to heritage orchards, food forests, and fruit tree guilds where resilience and long-keeping fruit are valued.

Key Characteristics

• Deep red, almost black fruit with long storage life
  The apples ripen to a dark, almost blackish red with a waxy finish. When freshly picked, the flesh is dense and tart, but it softens and sweetens in storage, making it a superb keeper apple—often lasting into spring under proper conditions.
• Excellent for cider, baking, and winter use
  With its dense, aromatic flesh and high acidity, Arkansas Black shines in pies, crisps, roasted apple dishes, and hard cider blends. Its robust flavor deepens after a few weeks of storage, gaining richness and complexity.
• Late-season harvest for extended orchard productivity
  Ripening in late October, Arkansas Black is one of the last apples to come off the tree. It extends the harvest window and stores for 4–6 months, making it ideal for food preservation and winter markets.
• Adapted to warm climates and southern orchards
  This variety performs best in USDA Zones 5–9 and especially thrives in southern and mid-Atlantic regions with hot summers and mild autumns. Its tough skin resists bruising, sunburn, and handling damage.
• Beautiful heritage tree for regenerative designs
  With its dramatic fruit color, disease tolerance, and long harvest window, Arkansas Black is ideal for homesteads, heirloom orchards, and permaculture food forests. Its late bloom helps avoid spring frosts, and it pairs well with understory herbs and pollinator-friendly companions.

Product Details

• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium, well-drained
• Bloom time: Mid to late season
• Bloom color: White
• Fruit qualities: Medium to large, very dark red to black skin, dense flesh, tart when fresh, sweetens in storage
• Fruit uses: Baking, fresh eating (after storage), cider, long-term storage
• Fruit ripening month: Late October
• Required chill hours: ~800–1,000
• Pollination requirements: Not self-fertile. Best pollination partners include:
• Apple, Gold Rush
• Apple, Liberty
• Apple, Honeycrisp
• Apple, Fuji
• Apple, Gala
• Apple, Enterprise
• Apple, Stayman Winesap
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9

Arkansas Black is a standout for orchardists who value storage life, late-season flavor, and heirloom character. Its resilience and bold taste make it a treasured variety in regenerative and traditional orchard systems alike.