what does a gala apple tree look like

Gala (apple)

• Appearance and flavor. Gala apples are non-uniform in colour, usually vertically striped or mottled, with overall orange color.
• History. The first Gala apple tree was one of many seedlings resulting from a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red planted in New Zealand in the ...
• Royal Gala sport. ...

Full Answer

How big does a Gala apple tree get?

The standard Gala grows to 25 feet (8.5 m.) tall with a similar spread, the semi-dwarf is about half that tall, while a dwarf stays about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide. Gala apple fruit trees need ample water for the first year.

What are the characteristics of a Gala apple?

1 Appearance and flavor. Gala apples are non-uniform in colour, usually vertically striped or mottled, with overall orange color. 2 History. The first Gala apple tree was one of many seedlings resulting from a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red planted in New Zealand in the ... 3 Royal Gala sport. ... 4 Storage. ...

What zone do Gala apples grow in?

The gala apple can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9. View Map The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity. The semi-dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15' with a spread of 12–15'.

What kind of fruit is Gala apple?

Fruit and leaf detail. Gala is a clonally propagated apple cultivar with a mild and sweet flavor. In 2018, it surpassed Red Delicious as the apple cultivar with the highest production in the United States, according to the US Apple Association. It was the first time in over 50 years that any cultivar was produced more than Red Delicious.

How do I identify a Gala apple tree?

Red skinned, sweet and crisp, gala apples are the quintessential apple tree....GalaZones: 4 through 8.Foliage: Green.Blossom Color: White.Harvest Time: Mid Season.Fruit Color: Red with yellow striations.

How tall do Gala apple trees get?

20–25'Mature Size The standard early harvest apple tree grows to a height of 20–25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity. The semi-dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15' with a spread of 12–15'. The dwarf variety grows to a height of about 10' with a spread of about 10'.

How long does it take a Gala apple tree to grow?

Standard apple trees, or full-size trees, can start producing fruit 4 to 8 years after being planted. Dwarf apple trees may begin to produce fruit within two years of being planted. It can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years for an apple tree to bear fruit when growing a tree from seeds.

Where do Gala apples grow best?

Growing a Gala Apple Tree The ideal Gala apple tree climate is not-too-warm and not-too cool. It thrives in the middle zones, USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. When planting a Gala apple tree, find a site that gets full, direct sun. It needs at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day.

Do you need 2 Gala apple trees?

Gala trees are self-fertile, which means that they set fruit without another apple variety nearby for cross-pollination. However, according to Orange Pippin Fruit Trees, to ensure greater fruit production, it's wise to plant another variety of apple that blossoms at the same time as 'Gala' for cross-pollination.

How much space does a Gala apple tree need?

Plant your Gala Apple tree at least 15 feet from other trees and your home to give them plenty of room to grow.

Can you plant just one apple tree?

One tree is not enough To set fruit, the vast majority of apple trees require a different variety grown nearby for pollination. While some apple varieties are self-pollinating, even they produce more fruit with another variety nearby.

Do apple trees need a lot of water?

Young apple trees need lots of water. They need to be watered frequently and deeply. In our orchard park, we water our newly planted trees up to three times a week, with three large buckets of water each time. That's about 15 gallons of water.

Will 2 Gala apple trees pollinate each other?

You will need a different variety to pollinate your Gala tree. Two varieties of the same apple will not cross-pollinate.

What will pollinate a Gala apple tree?

Pollination Requirements: Apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set. Red and Golden Delicious cultivars are particularly effective pollinizers of Gala. Consider Mason Bees to help pollinate and increase fruit production.

What should you not plant with an apple tree?

ResourcesApple trees and grass are not exactly good companion plants.CHIVES. Well let's just assume that the variety of apples you wanted is more susceptible to apple scab; chives can take care of that. ... DAFFODIL. These also get planted in a ring around the tree. ... CURRANTS. ... STRAWBERRY. ... LEMON BALM. ... PEA VINES & BEANS. ... DANDELION.

How long do Gala apple trees live?

Average Life Span of Popular Apple TreesApple Tree VarietyAverage Life SpanGala25 to 40 yearsDwarf Gala15 to 20 yearsFuji35 to 50 yearsDwarf Fuji15 to 25 years6 more rows

How long do Gala apple trees live?

Average Life Span of Popular Apple TreesApple Tree VarietyAverage Life SpanGala25 to 40 yearsDwarf Gala15 to 20 yearsFuji35 to 50 yearsDwarf Fuji15 to 25 years6 more rows

Which is better Fuji or Gala apples?

Fuji apple is a good choice for cooking especially you can make apple pie with them, while Gala apple is not as good of an option for cooking. Its sweet flavor makes it perfect for fruit salads. If you are looking for an apple to cook with, Fuji apple is good.

Are Gala apple trees self pollinating?

The Gala Apple tree is a long cherished apple variety that came about from crossing Kidd's Orange Red Apple and Golden Delicious Apple. An easy growing and care free fruit tree, it is also self pollinating as an added bonus!

What is a good pollinator for Gala apples?

Good candidates for cross pollinating with the Gala are the red delicious, golden delicious and Fuji.

How tall does a Gala apple tree grow?

The amount of garden space you’ll need for the tree depends on which version you pick. The standard Gala grows to 25 feet (8.5 m.) tall with a similar spread, the semi-dwarf is about half that tall, while a dwarf stays about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide.

What is the best climate for a Gala apple tree?

Like every other plant, the Gala apple grows best when its particular needs are met. The ideal Gala apple tree climate is not-too-warm and not-too cool. It thrives in the middle zones, USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8.

How much sun do Gala apples need?

When planting a Gala apple tree, find a site that gets full, direct sun. It needs at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day. Excellent drainage is equally important so provide it with moist, well-drained soil. Note that the tree is self-pollinating, so you don’t need more than one. Two apple trees are always better though.

Can you keep Gala apples in the fall?

There aren’t many fruit trees that can keep you in food most of the year. The Gala apple fruit tree is one of them. Famed for their crispness, Gala apples can be harvested most of the autumn and can be stored for months while retaining an excellent texture. If you are thinking of growing a Gala apple tree, who can blame you? Read on for tips to make Gala apple tree care as easy as possible.

What is the texture of an apple tree?

Apple Tree Bark Texture. The bark of an apple tree is generally gray and scaly. Rough to the touch, the bark may show insect damage if it has been unattended for an extended period of time.

How big do apple trees get?

Dwarf apple trees range from 10 feet tall and up, while standard trees can grow over to 20 feet without pruning. Many apple trees have spurs, thorn like growths along their branches.

Why do apples have alternating fruit?

The annual alternating fruit pattern is partially due to the variety and partly due to the tree suffering from lack of pruning. According to eXtension Apples there are over 10,000 apple varieties in the world, identifying your apple tree will take some detective work.

What is the most popular apple in the US?

Gala is the most popular apple in the US and is a good place to start your comparison. Red skinned, sweet and crisp, gala apples are the quintessential apple tree.

Why do you start an apple orchard?

Even if you can’t identify the volunteer tree growing in your home garden, starting your own apple orchard is a wonderful way to expand your food production. There are many advantages to growing our own apples. By employing organic practices you will grow a safer apple. When you have trees in your yard, you are eating the freshest fruit available. Your friends and family will love sharing your fresh produce. There is nothing better than knowing you grew your own produce and created a sustainable food source for years to come.

How long does it take for an apple to bear fruit?

Each apple variety should bear fruit at some point in it’s life. Many varieties require 3 to 5 years before they begin fruit production. Some varieties need a cross pollinator for successful fruit production.

What are the key identifiers of an apple tree?

One of the key identifiers of your apple tree is the leaves. To get a handle on is it or is it not an apple tree when there is not fruit production brings us to leaf identification. In general, with some exceptions, apple tree greenery has similar characteristics. Leaves on apple trees are alternate, meaning they are not symmetrical as they move ...

What color are Gala apples?

Appearance and flavor. Gala apples are non-uniform in colour, usually vertically striped or mottled, with overall orange color. They are sweet, fine textured, and aromatic, can be added to salads, cooked, or eaten raw, and are especially suitable for creating sauces.

When are Gala apples in season?

Season. Gala apples are grown from May through September in the northern hemisphere, but, like most apples, are available almost all year through the use of cold storage and controlled atmosphere storage. Australian Gala are available from late January. California fruit is available until October.

When were Gala apples first planted?

The first Gala apple tree was one of many seedlings resulting from a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red planted in New Zealand in the 1930s by orchardist J.H. Kidd. Donald W. McKenzie, an employee of Stark Bros Nursery, obtained a US plant patent for the cultivar on October 15, 1974. It is a relatively new introduction to the UK, first planted in commercial volumes during the 1980s. The variety now represents about 20% of the total volume of the commercial production of eating apples grown in the UK, often replacing Cox's Orange Pippin .

Where did Gala apples originate?

Gala. Origin. New Zealand , 1930s. Fruit and leaf detail. Gala is a clonally propagated apple cultivar with a mild and sweet flavour. In 2018, it surpassed Red Delicious as the apple cultivar with the highest production in the United States, according to the US Apple Association.

What color is Gala?

Many sports of Gala have been selected, mostly for increased red color, including the popular Royal Gala. The original cultivar produced fruit with orange stripes and a partial orange blush over a yellow background. Since then, several un-patented sports have been recognized.

When is the Royal Gala apple harvested?

Royal Gala is a Gala sport, patented by Stark in 1977, which produces redder fruits than the original cultivar. It is a pink-red dessert apple and is therefore usually eaten fresh. Royal Galas are usually harvested in early to late February in the southern hemisphere. In New Zealand the pinker original Gala has almost disappeared as a commercial apple in favor of the darker-skinned Royal Gala.

What temperature should apples be stored at?

The optimum temperature for storing apples is between −1° and 1 °C (30 to 34 °F), and the optimum relative humidity is 90 to 95%. Ethylene gas accelerates ripening (and spoilage) of apples, as with many other fruit.

What is a Gala apple?

Gala Apples. The Gala is a cross between the Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious apple varieties. Introduced to America from New Zealand in the 1980s, the Gala apple has since become a standard sight in grocery stores. It is also quite suitable for the home garden, given good soil conditions and pest management.

When do Gala apples ripen?

Although Gala apples do initially ripen sometime in the middle of August, they won’t attain their best flavor and texture until later in the season. More specifically, this cultivar appears to require several pickings to even out the fruit's size, color, taste and storage ability.

When is Gala fruit ready?

Because the Gala is an early bloomer, it is also an early fruiter. Owners can expect an initial harvest in mid-August, lasting to the middle of September. The easiest way to tell whether the fruit is ready is by looking at its color. Gala skin has a red-toned pattern on top, and a greenish tone beneath it when unripe, changing to yellow or white when ripe. When that color changes, the apple's flavor is at its best.

Do apples grow in the fall?

By Sarah Moore. Apple trees (Malus pumila) pull triple duty in home gardens, providing shade and a lovely show of spring blossoms, along with producing crisp, juicy fruit in fall. Although apples range in the length of their production season and when they first become ripe, some varieties, like the Gala, are among the first to mature every year.

What do Gala apples taste like?

A gala apple is a sweet-tasting fruit with a pleasant floral aroma. Its flesh is dense, fine-textured, and crisp with a creamy yellow shade. The skin is a non-uniform yellow-orange color with red or pink stripes; it is thin and perfectly edible.

Seasonality and selection

To make life easier, buy Gala when they’re in season. In North America and Europe, the locally grown variety will appear in shops from May. For those in the southern hemisphere, you’ll see fresh Gala in-store in early January.

Culinary uses

Gala apples are at their best when eaten out of hand. The fresh, in-season variety is a sweet treat packed with nutritional goodness. They are also a versatile apple for use in the kitchen, with a delicate texture and flavor that lends itself to fresh recipes.

Storage

Like all apples, Galas are best stored cold, so place them at the bottom of the refrigerator. Kept cool, they will last 4-6 weeks before their texture begins to degrade. Keep them in a plastic bag with perforations to help the fruit maintain its crisp flesh and to allow any moisture to escape.

Health benefits

A Gala apple contains a little over 5g of fiber which is mostly stored in the skin, so try to avoid peeling your fruit. They are also high in vitamins A, C, and B, and contain 116 calories and less than 1g of fat. Eat Gala apples in moderation as they contain 23g of sugar which will quickly add up if you eat more than one apple a day.

How to make a kid's apple pack

Hint: Splash some lemon juice over the apple before you bag it to keep the apple from going brown.

6 quick facts

Gala apples are one of the most popular cultivars across the world and rival the Red Delicious for the most eaten type in the United States. Their popularity amongst growers is helped by the fact they grow in warm and cold climates.

How big do apple trees get?

Apple tree sizes. Apple trees come in many different sizes, from full-size trees to dwarf trees that grow 8-10 feet tall . You'll want to evaluate the size of your planting area to determine what apple variety is best - and remember, in most cases, you'll want to leave room for at least two apple trees, if not more.

How tall do apple trees grow?

Our dwarf apple trees are grafted for a more controlled size. Most dwarf trees maintain heights of between 10 to 15 feet, which make them easier for fitting into small landscapes and easily picking fruit.

What types of apple trees should you plant?

Ideally, your apple orchard (no matter how big or small it is) will be in production for many years. In order to protect your investment and bear fruit, it’s important to choose the right apple trees to suit your needs and climate.

Where should apple trees be planted?

The best spot is typically on the north side of a house or treeline.

How are apple trees pollinated for fruit?

Most apple trees are not self-fertile - that means they need pollen from another apple or related tree in order to bear fruit. One of the main causes of reduced crops is poor pollination, so your trees will benefit greatly and bear more fruit when you cross-pollinate.

How many varieties of apples are there?

There are more than 8,000 different varieties of apples. Most are bred for their taste and utilitarian use, including cooking and cider production.

Why are my apples not producing?

Poor weather conditions can also affect your apple crops. When the tree loses its blossoms during a storm or severe cold weather, it may either have a reduced crop or no crop at all the next season. It may also have an excessive crop the next year. This can be strenuous on the tree, because apple trees typically grow too much fruit. If all the apples grow to maturity that quickly, the tree will soon exhaust itself and begin to produce much smaller crops in the following years.

How big should an apple tree be?

When you order your new apple tree, you will choose which size you want it to be at maturity: a dwarf (8-10 feet tall and wide), a semi-dwarf (12-15 feet tall and wide), or the occasional standard (18-25+ feet tall and wide). Be careful to choose the size best suited to your needs and available space. For more information on the differences in tree ...

When will apple trees be shipped?

The apple tree will be shipped to you around the time of its second growing year. It will arrive bare-root (without a pot, and without soil around the root system) and dormant, in either spring or fall. The tree will also have been professionally pruned to help ensure transplant success from our nursery to your yard.

What is rootstock in trees?

The rootstock determines certain characteristics for your tree as it grows, including its mature size and tolerance of water and cold weather . We choose these rootstocks for your trees to help you enjoy the best results when planted in your yard.

Do apple trees produce fruit?

Your apple tree will be familiar with its environment and it will have developed a regular routine of when to grow, when to produce, and when to rest. It may be regularly blooming and fruiting by this point! Since there is variation in cultivars and environments, your results may differ.

Overview

History

The first Gala apple tree was one of many seedlings resulting from a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd's Orange Red planted in New Zealand in the 1930s by orchardist J.H. Kidd. Donald W. McKenzie, an employee of Stark Bros Nursery, obtained a US plant patent for the cultivar on October 15, 1974. It is a relatively new introduction to the UK, first planted in commercial volumes during the 1980s. The variety now represents about 20% of the total volum…

Appearance and flavour

Descendant cultivar(s)

Season

Royal Gala sport

External links