Apple, Arkansas Black, Bare Root

Arkansas Black Apple (Malus domestica ‘Arkansas Black’)

Arkansas Black is a late-season heirloom known for nearly black skin, exceptionally firm flesh, and a flavor that develops after harvest. Fresh from the tree, it is crisp, dense, and sharply tart; a period in cold storage brings out more sweetness and aroma. It is especially useful when you want an apple harvest that carries into winter.

Key Characteristics

Deep burgundy skin and remarkably firm flesh

The skin deepens from dark red to purple-black as the fruit matures, surrounding pale, dense flesh. This is a firmer, more tart apple at harvest than many dessert varieties—give stored fruit time to mellow before judging its fresh-eating flavor.

A winter keeper with developing flavor

Arkansas Black is valued for keeping quality rather than immediate softness or sweetness. Carefully harvested, unbruised apples can hold for several months in good refrigerated storage, gradually developing a sweeter, more aromatic character; inspect stored fruit regularly and use damaged apples first.

A useful apple for baking and cider blends

Its dense texture and bright acidity make it useful for pies, crisps, and other baked dishes where a very soft apple would disappear. In cider blends, it contributes acidity and aromatic flavor, while stored fruit offers another fresh-eating option after earlier apples are finished.

Cedar-apple rust resistance

Resistance to cedar-apple rust is a useful feature of Arkansas Black, particularly where that disease is a recurring orchard concern. Apple scab can still affect its leaves and fruit, so give the canopy room to dry, clean up fallen leaves, and watch new growth during wet spring weather.

Pollination Partners

Arkansas Black needs cross-pollination and is triploid, so its pollen should not be relied on to pollinate other apple trees. For a new orchard, plant at least two other compatible, pollen-producing varieties alongside it so those trees can also pollinate one another. Options in our 2027 selection include Enterprise, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady.

Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months. Another Arkansas Black tree, even on a different rootstock, does not count as a different variety.

Indian Summer crabapple is another way to add pollen diversity and spring flowers to an apple orchard. Crabapples can serve as pollen donors when their flowers overlap with the apples they are planted to support.

Rootstock and Mature Size

Mature height depends on rootstock, soil, and pruning: allow roughly 10–15 feet for G.935, 12–20 feet for the M.106/M.111 option, and 20–30 feet for standard rootstock. G.935 is the most compact option offered here and benefits from permanent support. The M.106/M.111 option may be either rootstock, so allow for the larger end of that range and prioritize excellent drainage, especially with M.106.

Product Details

• Sun: Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.
• Soil: Medium to medium-dry, fertile and well-drained; avoid waterlogged sites.
• Mature height: Approximately 10–30 feet across the rootstocks offered; see rootstock guidance above.
• Bloom: Mid- to late-season spring bloom; pink buds opening to white flowers.
• Fruit: Dark red-purple skin, dense pale flesh, tart at harvest and sweeter and more aromatic after storage.
• Uses: Baking, cider blends, preserving, winter storage, and fresh eating after storage.
• Ripening: Late season, usually October.
• Chill hours: Approximately 800–900 hours.
• Pollination: Cross-pollination required; triploid. See the compatible varieties above.
• USDA hardiness: Zones 5–8.

General Apple Orchard Guidance

Sun, soil, and a good start

Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil and room for the tree’s rootstock; partial shade generally means fewer flowers and fruit. Keep the graft union above soil level, water consistently while roots establish, and maintain a mulched, grass-free area with mulch pulled back from the trunk.

Fertility and useful companions

Base lime and fertilizer applications on a soil test rather than feeding heavily by default; too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of balanced fruiting. Our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots. Interested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our fruit-tree guild guide for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.

Organic approaches to orchard pests and diseases

Prune for light and airflow, remove mummified and fallen fruit, and thin crowded fruit clusters. These habits reduce places where diseases and pests persist; codling moth, apple maggot, and plum curculio are common fruit pests to monitor. Bagging clean, young apples after thinning can reduce insect damage in small orchards; identify the pest before choosing any additional treatment, and avoid insecticide applications during bloom to protect bees.

For Arkansas Black, good storage is part of enjoying the harvest: set aside sound fruit, keep it cool, and taste it again as the flavor develops.