Gravenstein Apple

Gravenstein Apple Tree

15 Gallon
Sale price  $189.00 Regular price  $199.00
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Gravenstein Apple
1/5

Gravenstein Apple Tree

Malus domestica ‘Gravenstein’

Heirloom Flavor Champion • Unmatched for Applesauce & Cider • Early Season Harvest

Sale price  $189.00 Regular price  $199.00
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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Gravenstein Apple is a celebrated heirloom treasure, prized for its complex, aromatic flavor that perfectly bridges sweet and tart. This early-season apple has a distinctive, sometimes irregular shape and a beautiful red-striped skin. Its tender-yet-crisp flesh is extraordinarily juicy and fragrant, making it arguably the world's finest applesauce apple and a sublime choice for fresh cider, pies, and eating out of hand. While its storage life is short, its unparalleled flavor for early summer harvest makes the Gravenstein a cherished, fast-disappearing classic.

  • Famous for its intense, aromatic, and perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor.

  • Extremely juicy with a tender-crisp texture that cooks down into superb sauce.

  • Fruit is medium-sized, round to slightly flat, with yellow skin streaked with red.

  • An early-season apple (harvested in late summer), but does not store for long.

  • Requires cross-pollination from another early-blooming variety.

  • A vigorous, spreading deciduous tree known for its heavy, reliable bearing.

Flavor Profile:

  • Flavor: Rich, aromatic, and complex, with a vibrant balance of sweetness and tartness.

  • Texture: Tender-crisp and explosively juicy.

  • Best Uses: The ultimate applesauce and fresh cider apple. Also excellent for fresh eating, baking, and pies.

Knowing how we measure the size?

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

  • A larger gallon size generally means:

    • A more established root system

    • A sturdier plant

    • Faster visual impact after planting

  • Example:

    • 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity

    • 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.


🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Ornamental trees

    • Feature plants

    • Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.

  • Why choose Multi:

    • Fuller, more sculptural appearance

    • Strong visual presence even at younger ages

    • Popular for design-focused landscapes


🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Shade trees

    • Street trees

    • Orchard and structural plantings

  • Why choose Stand:

    • Clean, classic tree form

    • Easier clearance for walkways and lawns

    • Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity


🌿 Choosing the Right Size

  • If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form

  • If you want long-term structure → Stand form

  • If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Quick facts
  • Features:Foliage: Oval leaves with serrated edges.Bright green with slight gloss.Moderately dense canopy.Flowers:Pink-tinged white blossoms.Golden yellow centers.Exceptionally fragrant early spring blooms.Requires cross-pollination.Fruit:.Medium size (2.5-3" diameter).Slightly irregular, often flattened shape.Yellow background with red stripes/blush.Tender white flesh with fine texture.Perfect sweet-tart balance (Brix 12-14%).Distinctive aromatic flavor
  • Mature Size:Height: 12-15 ft (standard).Width: 12-15 ft
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Key Advantages:Unmatched flavor - gold standard for cooking.Early season - one of first apples to ripen.Dual-purpose - excels both fresh and cooked.Historical significance - heritage variety
  • Landscape Uses:Home orchards.Farmstand plantings.Edible landscaping.Cider production
FAQs

Q: Why is Gravenstein so hard to find in stores?
A: Its short stem and tender skin make it difficult to machine-harvest and transport without bruising. Its short storage life also doesn't suit long supply chains, making it a prized local/regional find.

Q: Is it a good fresh-eating apple?
A: Absolutely. When tree-ripened, its aromatic, juicy, and balanced flavor is exceptional. It is often considered one of the best-tasting heirloom varieties.

Q: Do I need a second tree for pollination?
A: Yes. Gravenstein is triploid and cannot pollinate itself or other trees. You must plant at least two other different apple varieties nearby to ensure pollination for all trees.

Browse online or get recommendations

Shop by collection, or message us with photos and measurements of your space for tailored suggestions.

Place your order & schedule delivery

Choose your trees and preferred delivery window. Most Bay Area orders are delivered within about 10 business days, depending on routing and weather.

We deliver carefully to your property

Our drivers are trained to handle living plants, not just boxes. For many trees, we can set them in place near the planting site.

Grow with our ongoing support

You’ll receive basic care guidelines, and you can always reach out if you’re unsure about watering, fertilizing, or pruning.

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