Starkspur® Winter Banana Antique Apple Tree
$89.99
Begins shipping mid-April.
Zones 4 - 9
Pollinator required to bear fruit
A popular heirloom apple tree improved for a bountiful harvest!
The Winter Banana Apple tree was introduced in 1890. It’s known for juicy apples that have an aromatic flavor similar to bananas. This heirloom has been improved as a spur-bearing apple tree. Unlike tip-bearing apple trees, this tree’s spur-type nature allows fruit to form along each limb — bearing from the trunk out. This means more of your favorite Winter Banana apples from one tree.
This productive heritage apple tree produces large, pale-yellow apples with waxy skin that has a delicate blush color once the fruits are ripe. The apples are crisp, tangy, with juicy, flavorful flesh, perfect for fresh eating and making cider. Starkspur® Winter Banana apples store well, making them a farmer markets favorite.
This is a vigorous apple tree is also cold hardy with the ability to handle late spring frosts. The bountiful blooms in spring make the Winter Banana Apple tree a great pollinator for other apple trees. Enjoy unique tasting apples from this annual bearer, when they ripen from October to November.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Time | Mid |
| Fruit Color | Yellow |
| Fruit Size | Large |
| Ripens/Harvest | Late October |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Taste | Tangy |
| Texture | Firm |
| Soil pH Level | 6-7 |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Shade Level | Full Sun |
| Years to Bear | 2-5 |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 4-9 |
Size & Spacing
Pollination
This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant a different variety within 15 meters (50 feet) for best pollination.
Recommended Pollinators: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Zestar, Granny Smith, Ginger Gold, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp
How do I find my Hardiness Zone?
Canada’s Plant Hardiness Zones will tell you which plants will do well in your particular climate. Each zone is determined by the lowest average winter temperature recorded in a given area. Hardiness Zone information is included on all tree and plant product pages, so you know instantly whether a certain plant is likely to succeed where you live. Natural Resources Canada provides helpful options to find your zone:
Debra Rodgers –
This is my second purchase of this apple. It is utterly delightful. I have one tree purchased 20 years ago and now have added this one. A constant, faithful bearer of great apples. A winner for sure. Stark Brothers have never failed in quality or service.Deb
James Mansfield –
Awesome! Was shipped and arrived in great condition, first year it has apples!! Great addition to my yard.
Doug T –
I purchased this tree last year and so far it has done great. During a particularly wet and warm July, rust hit this tree pretty hard and I was late on recognizing it. I thought for sure it was done for but after contacting StarkBros for help, regular applications of fruit tree spray and neem oil did the trick. The leaves ended up coming back and this year it has flowered after a very mild winter, even by Louisiana standards.
Tony Vang –
I got my bare root in March of 2021. 4 foot+, Great looking shape and I had to keep it dormant for a month before I could plant it. Boy, this bare root tree was super eager was already budding leaves before it was even in the ground. Another great tree from Starkbros.
Samantha Boothby –
As a child I remember my Grammy saying one of her favorite apple trees in the orchard was a banana apple tree. Now grown and having an interest in apple trees I have often wondered about the elusive banana apple tree. My husband and friends thought I was crazy. But at the Bloomsburg fair, there it was a display of banana apples! They do exist! First look at the Starks Brothers website and there it was. My tree waiting for me. I ordered it in November, it was delivered in the spring. A beautiful little tree. Hopefully next year I will have some fruit.
Ron Hargis –
Very nice tree. It is about five feet now and looking good. Had apple’s last two year’s. One of my favorites.
Carol Kersten –
My purchase was to replace an aging winter banana. My neighbor grew this tree when I was about 13, 64 years ago. I searched and searched until I found a tree that matched hers. Excellent for sauce, pie and cider.