USDA Certified Organic

The Surprise apple tree is a Turkish red fleshed apple descended from Niedzwetzkyana. The Surprise apple tree was brought to the US in the 1830's and planted throughout the south in late 1800's. One of the parent varieties of Pink Pearl. The skin of the Surprise apple is beautiful, blushed red and the flesh is a pink-salmon color. The apples are crisp, juicy, very tart, tannic and are great for baking and cider. Albert Etter used this variety to develop many pink flesh apples, including Pink Pearl, the most successful of his pink-fleshed creations. The Surprise apple is often small, green winter apple with creamy white, red stained flesh. Please see below for further insight on our heirloom apple tree Surprise and discover additional consideration for selecting the appropriate fruit trees to buy for your home and small farm. 

Considerations for Surprise Apple

USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Heirloom: Yes

Uses: Cider, Desserts / Pies, Red Fleshed

Harvest Period: Late

Bloom Period: Midseason

Pollination Requirement: Requires different variety with same bloom period

Origin Date: England 1831

Storage: 3-4 weeks

Rootstock: MM 111 (semi-dwarf)

Years to Bear: 2-4 years

Recommended Spacing: 10-12 ft.

Mature Size: 12-16 ft.

Pruning: Summer prune to maintain 8 ft.

Water Requirements: 12-15 gallons per week May through Sept.

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Size of tree

Our trees range in height from 4-8 ft. in our field and trimmed to 4 to 5 ft. when shipped. Our young two year trees are most often feathered (side limbs). The trees diameter (caliper) is often 1/2 to 3/4 inch; *As noted by University of California Scientists and other qualified professionals the most successful trees often have caliper from 1/2" to 5/8" and usually establish faster than smaller and larger planting stock. .

Pruning tip

Basic idea for Pruning: Most fruit trees should be pruned in frost-free periods mid to late winter. (apricots best after bud break) Remove most vertical branches and shorten side branches. Fruiting wood is best on horizontal to 45 degree limbs. Learn more...

Shipping information

Shipping Note: Our fruit trees and berries are delivered to you bareroot during their winter dormancy from January through May depending on USDA zone. Trees are shipped with your invoice and helpful planting directions. There is no minimum quantity required but shipping rate for an individual tree is expensive since UPS/Fed Ex charge a dimensional weight and an additional handling fee to ship a tree. You'll find it's cost effective to consider a handful of trees,vines or our helpful Tree Starter Kits.

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