Gala Apple Tree

Gala Apple Tree Overview

The Gala apple tree is a popular variety not only for its versatile use, but also for being a great choice for eating fresh due to its juicy, sweet, and crisp flavor. In fact, its dessert-like quality may be attributed to its origin story. Hutton Kidd cross-pollinated Golden Delicious with Kidd’s Orange Red to produce the Gala variety in the 1930s at his New Zealand orchard. After that, New Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research continued the work until they found the perfect combination of size, color and taste, in other words, the Gala apple variety. Introduced commercially in 1960. While it is marketed as Gala, it’s original name is Kidd’s D-8. It is one of the most successful apples in the world.

Just like any other apple tree, the Gala apple tree grows best when it’s planted in full sun in well-drained soil. While it can grow well in different conditions, it does very well in dry and warm climates. Grows well in hardiness zones 4 to 9. The tree is moderately vigorous and produces good crop. It is a spur bearing upright spreading tree. Once fruit is ready for harvest, you can pick and eat fresh or make dessert! Gala apples can store well for up to five months while retaining their quality.

Growing Characteristics

• Uses: fresh eating, cooking, dessert
• Taste: crisp, juicy, sweet
• Size: small to medium
• Color: Skin is golden yellow with orange and crimson flushes, flesh is creamy white
• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  
• Disease resistance
  • Scab – very susceptible
  • Rust – somewhat susceptible
  • Canker – susceptible
  • Fireblight – susceptible
  • Mildew – resistant
• Harvest period: 4
• Flowering Group: 4
• Cross Pollinates with: Akane, Binet Rouge, Calville Blanc, Chieftain, Chestnut, Cortland, Crimson Crisp, Empire, Enterprise, Fuji, Granny Smith, Harry Masters Jersey, Honeycrisp, King David, Kingston Black, Macoun, Melrose, Michelin, Newtown Pippin, Northern Spy, Novaspy, Pristine, Redfree, Sundance, Sweet Sixteen, WineCrisp, Wolf River.
• Cultivation: This apple tree is moderately vigorous. Produces good crop. Flowers a lot, therefore needs to be thinned a month before petals fall. Flowers can tolerate frost. Spur bearing, upright spreading tree. Can grow in different environments, but does best in dry and warm climate.
• Storage: Keeps well in cold storage for up to five months.