Apple Tree Golden Delicious - Malus domestica

The Organic 'Golden Delicious' Apple Tree is the most cultivated variety of domestic apple tree in France, and the most well-known among apple enthusiasts. The tree has medium vigour, it bears fruit quickly and offers significant and regular production. It produces large, uniformly golden yellow fruits, with a triconical shape. Their very pale yellow flesh is firm, fine, crisp, fragrant, and balanced between sweetness and acidity. Flowering usually occurs at the end of April, often avoiding frost, and the fruits are harvested in mid-September, while still green. Golden apples can be stored in a cool place until February, although they tend to become slightly mealy. This apple tree is not self-fertile, it requires the presence of another variety to bear fruit. It is easy to grow in all regions and has good frost resistance.

The apple tree is native to Europe, particularly in France where its presence has been documented since antiquity. The Golden Delicious Apple Tree is a variety that originated from a seedling in 1890, in West Virginia, United States. It is the result of a cross between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It is one of the top 5 varieties used in breeding programs.

The Organic 'Golden Delicious' Apple Tree has a semi-erect habit, giving it a very elegant and slender appearance. It is highly productive, so thinning is necessary to avoid small fruit size and the onset of diseases. Its cold resistance allows it to be grown in northern European regions and mountainous areas. Its foliage consists of very large, ovate, green-brown leaves on the upper side, and white-green on the lower side, with deeply toothed edges. This glabrous foliage is less prone to powdery mildew than varieties with downy foliage. Flowering occurs from mid-March to mid-April and is quite extended. For this reason, the variety is one of the best pollinators for other apple trees. The flowering is not susceptible to frost, making it suitable for mountain cultivation. Self-sterile, it requires the presence of other apple trees that flower at the same time. The varieties 'Granny Smith', 'Idared', and 'Melrose' are the most suitable. The fruits ripen early, starting in mid-September, and can be stored in a cool place (cellar or refrigerator) until February. The uniformly golden yellow fruits are quite large and have a triconical shape. Their white-yellow flesh is firm, fine, crisp, fragrant, and balanced between sweetness and acidity.

These apples are particularly suitable for making pastries and for eating fresh. They can also be cooked, used in compotes, jams, and savoury dishes, such as paired with Normandy cheeses.

Planned for organic cultivation, the Organic 'Golden Delicious' Apple Tree thrives under certain conditions to avoid diseases and pests:

• Space the trees 5 metres (16 feet) apart in all directions.
• Choose a deep, light, rich, and well-draining soil.
• Avoid planting on land that has previously hosted other woody plants, especially those of the same species.
• Prune to promote air circulation within the tree.
• Thin out to prevent the development of diseases on the fruits.
• Apply compost twice: during flowering and after harvest. The amount of compost should be adjusted based on the quality of your soil: the lower its organic matter content, the higher the compost application should be.
• Plant multi-species hedges (except Malus species), stone and wood piles, and nest boxes (for birds, voles, and bats) to attract beneficial insects.
• In case of disease, it will be necessary to remove and burn the affected parts. The 'Golden Delicious' Apple Tree has good disease resistance, but if necessary, it should be treated with Bordeaux mixture, using half the recommended dosage, against fungal diseases.

For transport reasons, our tallest scions may be pruned before shipment. They are suitable for all common training sizes: cordons, espaliers, goblets, half-standards, and low standards, except for tall standards. If you would like more information or advice on training your fruit trees, please do not hesitate to contact us.