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We love apples around here. Seriously, LOVE-love them. I usually buy them in bulk during the fall and can them for use later on:
And of course, that’s not to mention all the apples we eat fresh! Sometimes with a little raw cheese and homemade crackers. YUM!
But recently we’ve decided that the cost of buying apples is getting a bit too expensive for our tastes and consumption habits. So since we grow everything else, why not start growing some apple trees too?
In researching the best apple trees for my Southern growing zone (8), I thought I would share what I found with you too!
Best Apple Trees for Southern Climates
If you are in an area with less than 500 chill hours per year (zone 8-10), then these apple varieties are your best options for growing your own apple trees!
All of these apple trees are available through Fast Growing Trees online nursery. Though you may also be able to find them locally!
RELATED: How to store apples without a root cellar.
Anna Apple Tree
The Anna Apple tree is self-fertile and tastes like a Granny Smith apple early in the harvest stages. However, after it fully ripens the Anna Apple is even sweeter and tastes much like a Red Delicious apple!
Stores for up to 2 months and is well suited to hot, southern climates.
CHILL HOURS: 200-300
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: June – July
POLLINATORS: Self-pollinating
Dorsett Apple Tree
Very similar to the sweet, crisp taste of the Golden Delicious apple, this summer apple is a wonderful addition to any southern homestead!
Produces large apples early in the season with up to 2 additional annual harvests in warmer climates.
CHILL HOURS: Less than 100
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: June – July
POLLINATORS: Anna, Pink Lady®
Fuji Apple Tree
Fuji Apple are a favorite in our home! Crisp, sweet, and HUGE, these apples are perfect for eating fresh or making pies, applesauce, and more!
Harvest in the Southern climates during September/October.
CHILL HOURS: 200-400
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: September – October
POLLINATORS: Pink Lady®, Pixie Crunch, Red Columnar
Green Columnar Apple Tree
Small spaces? Not a problem for this compact apple tree! It grows vertically and produces full sized apples in abundance!
Heat tolerant to well over 100 degrees makes this a top pick for Southern growing zones!
CHILL HOURS: 400
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: September
POLLINATORS: Red Columnar
Pink Lady® Apple Tree
A favorite among bakers, grow this cold-hardy, heat-resistant apple tree in your own backyard! Crisp texture and a sweet flavor, Pink Lady® apples never disappoint!
With a beautiful fall color and long shelf-life, these are a wonderful apple tree to grow in warm climates!
CHILL HOURS: 200-400
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Great
HARVEST TIME: October
POLLINATORS: Fuji, Pixie Crunch
Pixie Crunch Apple Tree
Even sweeter than the popular Honeycrisp apples, with a dense crisp texture, the Pixie Crunch Apple is the best possible apple for eating fresh in the early fall!
Perfect for pies, great disease resistance, and has a high yield of 200 to 400 pounds on a mature tree! Grow your own Southern apple orchard with these prolific trees!
CHILL HOURS: Less than 200
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: September
POLLINATORS: Fuji, Pink Lady®
Red Columnar Apple Tree
Also known as the Scarlett Sentinel Columnar Apple Tree, this vertical apple tree is perfect for small spaces and tight areas.
Can withstand temperatures of over 100 degrees and produces healthy harvests as soon as the first year!
CHILL HOURS: 500
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Good
HARVEST TIME: September
POLLINATORS: Green Columnar Apple Tree
On out Zone 8b homestead we grow Anna, Dorsett Golden and Gala apples with great success. We have bumper crop on all three trees this year. The Anna’s didn’t ripen up until late July. Same for the Dorsett Golden’s. Out Galas are also finishing off now. The Anna and Dorsett Golden’s development and maturity was delayed by a vicious hail storm in May–beat the heck out of all our apples, denting them–making them look like they’d been shotgunned. But they all survived and ended up thriving, so now we are buried in apples, making and freezing apple pies, canning applesauce, and though I haven’t tried it yet, apple butter. Also dehydrating some into apple rings.
That’s amazing, Ray! Sounds like you might be near us… We had a very similar spring. That hail storm hit our peaches hard, but they rallied too! Jealous of your apple crop, ours are on their first year, so we likely won’t get anything until next year! Enjoy them!
The Anna apple tree is our #1 pick for apple trees in the south!
I am really impressed, I had no idea we could grow apples. I’m in zone 9. I can’t wait. Many thanks.
Wonderful! I’m so glad it helped!