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Can You Grow Apples in USDA Zone 8? Which Are Best?

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Written By Shannon Campbell

Off-Grid Gardener & Food Forager

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Home » USDA Zone 8 » Can You Grow Apples in USDA Zone 8? Which Are Best?

As one of the most popular fruits in the US, most gardeners across America will consider growing an apple tree at some point.

Not only are the fruits juicy and delicious, but most varieties will offer some degree of ornamental appeal to the landscape.

But most apple varieties prefer moderate to cold climates, so where does that leave gardeners in USDA hardiness zone 8? Can apple trees grow successfully in one of the warmest temperature ranges in the US?

Can You Grow Apples in Zone 8?

Many apple tree varieties will grow well even in the long summers and mild winters of zone 8! Some are even bred specifically for these conditions.

However, the majority of apple trees will not grow in any zone higher than this, and some will only grow in zone 7 or lower. This is because most apple tree varieties need between 500 to 1000 hours of chill time. According to the University of Florida Gardening Extension, these are hours when temperatures dip below 45 degrees F.

A certain amount of hours are needed to initiate flowering, which in turn leads to fruit production. Since areas in zone 8 cannot always guarantee this amount of chill hours, many apple trees will not produce flowers and fruit here.

Let’s take a look at 9 of the best apple tree cultivars that can thrive in warmer temperatures, including zone 8.

Keep in mind that several of the apple varieties listed below are limited to zone 8 and lower, and may need mulching and extra watering to protect them from any unusual weather fluctuations or heat waves.

9 Apple Trees That Thrive in USDA Zone 8

1. Ein Shemer (Malus domestica ‘Ein Shemer’)

Ein Shemer apples on tree
Image by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr

A heat-loving plant that was bred to thrive in warmer climates, the Ein Shemer is an excellent apple cultivar for zone 8 gardeners, even able to grow as high as zone 9! It was developed in Israel to withstand long periods of hot weather and needs very few chill hours, unlike most apple varieties.

The Ein Shemer is highly convenient for a number of reasons. It fruits exceptionally early in the season and is perfect for small gardens as a self-fertile specimen able to produce a reliable crop from a single tree on your property. The pale yellow apples can be eaten fresh from the tree or used in baking and cooking.

This tree is also adaptable, able to thrive in virtually any soil type. A sunny location with afternoon shade will suit it well, and it should be watered weekly until established.

Growing Zones: 4-9

Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 feet tall, with a 10-20 foot spread

Fruiting Season: Early Summer

2. Braeburn (Malus ‘Braeburn’)

Braeburn apples on a tree
Image by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr

Discovered as a wild seedling tree in New Zealand in the 1970s, the Braeburn apple has since become one of the most popular apple tree varieties planted in home gardens in the US.

These dwarf trees are easy to grow, suitable for zone 8, fit perfectly in smaller gardens, and are self-fertile, so only one tree is needed. However, a second Braeburn is recommended to ensure a higher yield.

Braeburn apple trees don’t just produce tasty fruits. In spring their branches are draped with dense clusters of pure white flowers that attract many pollinators. Later, in fall, crisp pale-red striped fruits appear. These apples have a pleasant, balanced taste, both sweet and slightly tart. It takes just 3 to 5 years before the Braeburn begins fruiting.

Plant these apple trees in deep, loamy, moist, and well-draining soil in a sheltered location with full sun exposure.

Other Common Names: Brayburn

Growing Zones: 4-9

Average Size at Maturity: 12-15 feet tall, with a similar spread

Fruiting Season: Mid Fall

Available at: Nature Hills

3. Fuji (Malus ‘Fuji’)

Fuji apples on a tree
Image by Shinya Suzuki via Flickr

Originating in Japan as a cross between the Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Genet, the Fuji has to be one of the US’s most beloved apple trees. That’s because of its ability to provide immense beauty to the landscape, with its gorgeous creamy white and pink spring blossoms, and its sweet and tart fruits that can be kept fresh in storage for long periods.

Gardeners in zone 6 to 9 can’t go wrong with the Fuji, with its fresh apples that have an exceptional shelf life – they can be refrigerated for up to a year at the right temperature! And the fruits are excellent eaten both fresh and used in preserves, cooking, and baking.

The Fuji needs to be cross-pollinated, and in zone 8 the Gala, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith are all good pollination partners. They require between 200 to 400 chill hours to produce both fruits and flowers successfully.

Growing Zones: 6-9

Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread

Fruiting Season: Mid Fall

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

4. Gala (Malus ‘Gala’)

Gala Apples on a tree
Image by spablab via Flickr

Another immensely popular New Zealand-bred apple tree that grows well in zone 8 is the Gala. It was developed in the 1930s as a disease-resistant hybrid of the Red Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red.

Gala apples are known for being especially crispy, and can be left in storage for months at a time without losing that special texture. It also produces fruit early, in mid-summer, and the fruits are said to have the best taste compared to most early-fruiting trees.

The Gala is technically self-fruiting, but an extra pollination partner tree is highly recommended. This tree also offers the classic spring display of white apple blossoms.

This apple cultivar is fairly easy to grow, with a tolerance for wet and clay soils, drought, and a wide range of climates. Ideal growing conditions include six hours of direct sunlight per day, and well-draining, slightly acidic soil.

Growing Zones: 4-10

Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread (standard)

Fruiting Season: Mid Summer to Late Fall

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

5. Golden Delicious (Malus ‘Golden Delicious’)

Golden Delicious Apples on a tree
Image by Leslie Seaton via Flickr

Don’t doubt the value of this next zone 8 apple tree – it’s all in the name! The Golden Delicious was first discovered in West Virginia in the early 1900s and has since become renowned around the world for its sweet, juicy fruits that are perfect for eating fresh and for use in both sweet and savory recipes.

The Golden Delicious is also known for being an excellent pollinator tree, an effective pair that will help certain other apple tree varieties produce fruit each year. On its own it is a highly dependable producer according to the NC State Gardening Extension, bearing particularly heavy crops when paired with another tree. It can be planted as a dwarf or semi-dwarf tree.

Plant your Golden Delicious in a location with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. As adaptable, heat-tolerant self-pollinating trees they are fairly easy to grow, but adequate water, some spring fertilizer, light pruning, and thinning out fruit as it grows is a sure way to ensure you have a healthy, successful tree.

Growing Zones: 5-10

Average Size at Maturity: 8-10 feet tall, with a similar spread (dwarf), 12-15 feet tall, with a similar spread (semi-dwarf)

Fruiting Season: Early Fall

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

6. Anna (Malus ‘Anna’)

Tropical Anna Apple (Malus domestica) Tree, Fruit and Flowers
Anna Apple (Malus domestica) Tree, Fruit and Flowers – Image by Fern Berg, Own Work, for Tree Vitalize

A solid heat-resistant apple variety with a proven track record in hot states such as Florida and California, the Anna is a reliable tree for zone 8 gardeners that only needs around 200 hours of chill time. After just 3 to 5 years of growth, it will begin producing prolific amounts of large, sweet yellow and red blushing apples.

The Anna is self-pollinating, and fruits a healthy and reliable amount on its own. But with a good pollinator partner, particularly other heat-friendly, early-fruiting varieties like the Golden Dorsett and Ein Shemer, it will yield an enormous amount of fruit. It is also a good tree for attracting pollinators like birds and bees, as its delicate pink blossoms are very fragrant in spring.

This apple variety can be planted as a specimen tree, or in rows along your driveway. Full sun and consistently moist, well-draining soil are a must.

Growing Zones: 5-9

Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread (standard)

Fruiting Season: Early Summer

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

7. Granny Smith (Malus ‘Granny Smith’)

Granny Smith apples on a tree
Image by David Prasad via Flickr

Though the exact details of the Granny Smith’s hybrid creation are unknown, what is known is that this beloved apple variety first appeared in the backyard of an Australian woman named Maria Ann Smith in 1886. Since then it has taken over the world as the most popular green apple variety.

The crisp, tart flavor is highly refreshing and works well for fresh snacking and use in baking and cooking, and they can be stored for up to six months at a time. They are also particularly good in ciders and juices. Outside of their fruit, you can use these trees as specimens, privacy screens, or to mark out your property boundary.

The tree’s lovely pink and white spring blossoms are highly fragrant, so expect plenty of pollinators in your garden during the blooming period. The Granny Smith is adaptable to varying soil types but prefers rich, well-draining soil in a location with full sun exposure.

Growing Zones: 5-9

Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread (standard)

Fruiting Season: Mid Fall

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

8. Gordon (Malus ‘Gordon’)

Originating in Southern California, the Gordon apple is specifically bred for warmer climates, able to thrive in locations as high as zone 10. In fact, it can be grown in virtually every climate in the United States, however, it will produce higher yields in areas with milder winters.

These trees are semi-dwarfs that need to be pollinated in order to produce fruit. Their apples are green with a deep red blush, and their flesh is crisp and juicy with a sweet-tart flavor.

The Gordon apple tree can be high maintenance compared to other heat-loving apple trees. Its fruits can cause a mess in fall, so should be planted far from roads and sidewalks to lessen the clean up. It is also susceptible to some pests and diseases such as scale, apple scab, and powdery mildew. Plant in moist, well-draining soil in a location with full sun exposure.

Growing Zones: 4-10

Average Size at Maturity: 10-30 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread

Fruiting Season: Late Summer to Mid Fall

9. Dorsett Golden (Malus ‘Dorsett Golden’)

Golden Dorsett Apple (Malus domestica) Fruit
Image by Fern Berg, Own Work, for Tree Vitalize

Zone 8 gardeners who want a heat-tolerant apple tree that also provides ornamental appeal throughout the year will be pleased to know that the Dorsett Golden can do both!

First cultivated in the Bahamas in the 1950s, it is now a staple in American orchards. Its white and pink flowers bloom in profuse clusters that cover its branches, and its dense foliage is a vibrant green that contrasts well with its blushing yellow and red fruits.

The Dorsett Golden apple is a medium-sized fruit with a sweet, slightly acidic taste and a hint of vanilla. They are particularly good eaten fresh, but also work well in baking and sweet recipes.

While this apple variety is heat tolerant and prefers full sun for most of the day, it likes some afternoon shade when the sun is at its hottest. In some warmer climates, it may even be an evergreen.

Growing Zones: 5-9

Average Size at Maturity: 12-18 feet tall, with a 10-15 foot spread (semi-dwarf), 18-25 feet tall, with a 15-18 foot spread

Fruiting Season: Early-Mid Summer

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

Bountiful Apple Trees For Warmer Climates

Apple trees may be thought of more as cold weather crops, but many varieties will grow well in USDA hardiness zone 8. The nine varieties mentioned above are some of the best you can choose from, but there are other lesser-known cultivars you can plant in zone 8 too.

Being familiar with your growing zone is helpful when choosing fruit trees to plant on your property, but it is only the beginning of what you need to know.

Estimating how many annual chill hours occur in your region, what kind of soil type and microclimates occur on your property, and how much space you have for apple trees and their pollinators are some extra steps you can take to ensure your trees have the best chance of fruiting in summer and fall.

For more tasty fruit varieties that could take off on your property, check out the best bountiful fruit trees for USDA zone 8.

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Shannon Campbell

Off-Grid Gardener & Food Forager

Shannon has always loved looking after trees and plants since as long as she can remember. She grew up gardening with her family in their off-grid home and looking after her neighbor's plant nursery. As a child she also participated in native tree replanting, and as an adult has volunteered in reforestation programs in northern Vietnam. Today, she puts her horticultural efforts into tending her vegetable and herb gardens, and learning about homesteading and permaculture. When she’s not reading, writing, and gardening, she’ll be out fishing and foraging for edible flora and fungi in the countryside around her home.

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