Arkansas Black Apple

Some apples impress with sweetness. Others with beauty. Arkansas Black is remembered for something different—its remarkable character. With its deep burgundy skin, almost ebony appearance, and extraordinary storage life, this heirloom variety has fascinated apple growers for well over a century.

Discovered in the late 1800s in Benton County, Arkansas, Arkansas Black quickly became one of the South's most celebrated apples. Its ability to store through the winter made it especially valuable during an era when fresh fruit was unavailable for much of the year. Today it remains a treasured heirloom among orchard enthusiasts who appreciate history as much as flavor.

The tree is vigorous, hardy, and dependable, developing a strong framework capable of supporting heavy crops. In spring, its blossoms attract pollinators while adding beauty to the landscape. As the season progresses, the fruit slowly transforms from bright red to an unusually dark crimson that eventually appears almost black in certain light.

Freshly harvested Arkansas Black apples are exceptionally firm and often quite tart. This surprises many first-time growers, but experienced orchardists know the variety's greatest secret: patience.

After several weeks—or even months—in storage, the fruit undergoes a remarkable transformation. The flesh gradually becomes less dense, the tartness softens, and rich, complex flavors emerge. Many apple enthusiasts believe Arkansas Black reaches its finest quality after being stored well into winter, when its sweetness and aromatic character have fully developed.

The apple's dense flesh makes it an excellent choice for baking, where it retains its shape and develops rich flavor. It is equally prized for fresh eating after proper storage and has long been appreciated for cider making as part of a balanced blend.

Harvest occurs in late fall, and few apples rival Arkansas Black for storage life. Under cool conditions, it can remain in excellent condition for several months, making it one of the premier keeping apples ever developed in America.

For Southern orchardists, Arkansas Black represents more than just another apple variety. It is a living piece of Southern horticultural history—a tree that rewards patience with one of the most distinctive apple experiences available.

Arkansas Black is an heirloom apple variety that came out of Arkansas in the mid-1800's. The apples are red and they turn a dark red color as they ripen. They are tart in taste when picked from the tree but the flavor mellows in storage. Arkansas black apples will keep for six months if stored properly. Pollinate with Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan. Arkansas Black is an excellent apple to grow organically. Resistant to cedar apple rust. It grows and produces best in USDA zones 5- 7 (and maybe the northern part of zone 8). 800-900 chill hours. Pollinate with two different varieties that are also pollination partners Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Gala, Enterprise dwarf, Yellow Delicious, Southern Crabapple, or one self-fertile variety like Granny Smith. Arkansas Black will not act as a pollinator.