Plant Quick Guide
Growing Zones:
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Sunlight:
Spacing:
Chill Hours:
Growth Rate:
Flower Color:
Harvest Time:
Years to Bear:
Pollinator:
Does Not Ship To:
Apple Trees - Red Spy
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
Description
The Red Spy Apple is a prized late-season variety known for its rich flavor, dense texture, and excellent storage qualities. A red-skinned strain of the classic Northern Spy, it shares that variety’s celebrated balance of sweetness and tang, but with a deeper crimson color and slightly earlier ripening. Revered by bakers and cider makers alike, Red Spy produces large, aromatic apples with a firm, juicy bite that intensifies in flavor after a short period of storage. It remains a favorite among those who appreciate the traditional, full-bodied taste of heritage apples.
Key Features
• Rich, Spicy Flavor: Distinctively sweet-tart with complex notes of honey, spice, and cider — ideal for both eating and baking.
• Firm, Juicy Flesh: Dense, crisp texture that holds its shape beautifully when cooked.
• Vibrant Appearance: Large fruit with bright red skin and occasional streaks over a yellow background.
• Exceptional Storage Life: Improves in flavor and sweetness after several weeks of storage.
• Reliable Late Harvest: Ripens in late fall, extending the apple season and offering long-keeping fruit.
Mature Size
• Height: 12–15 feet (standard); 8–10 feet (semi-dwarf)
• Spread: 10–15 feet
• Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Hardiness Zones
• Zones 4–8
Chill Hours
• Requires approximately 800–1000 chill hours for optimal fruiting.
Care Instructions
• Sunlight: Requires full sun (6–8 hours daily) for rich color and optimal sugar development.
• Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained loam with moderate fertility and pH 6.0–7.0; avoid poorly drained soils.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during flowering and fruit growth; apply mulch to retain moisture.
• Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to remove weak or crossing branches and encourage strong fruiting spurs.
• Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with compatible mid- to late-blooming varieties such as ‘Honeycrisp,’ ‘Fuji,’ or ‘Golden Delicious’ for best yields.
Landscape Uses
• Excellent for home orchards, baking enthusiasts, and cider production.
• Perfect for pies, crisps, sauces, and fresh eating after storage.
• Offers seasonal appeal with spring blooms, glossy summer foliage, and striking red fruit in fall.
The Red Spy Apple stands as a true heirloom treasure — flavorful, aromatic, and enduringly crisp. Whether fresh from storage or baked into a golden pie, this apple delivers the old-fashioned taste and resilience that make it a favorite among orchard traditionalists and modern gardeners alike.
More Information: Apple Growing Guide
Shipping
At Plant Me Green we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care. We ship your plants using FedEx Ground® the following business day after you have completed checkout.
We are now offering $15 flat rate shipping for all tree orders! Replacement tree shipping cost will be $15 per box. We still cannot ship to some states and US territories based off the Agricultural Laws that may be in place. Please see below for all exclusions.
If you have any questions concerning transit time for your order, please feel free to contact us at info@plantmegreen.com or toll free 855-817-5268.
Trees: Due to strict Agricultural Laws in place, we currently cannot ship to the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii. We cannot ship to Puerto Rico or international.
How to Plant
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
Care Guide
