Apple, Red Delicious Bisbee Spur

Apple 'Red Delicious Bisbee Spur' on Geneva® 969 Rootstock – Classic Beauty Meets Modern Strength

If you’re looking for a reliable, handsome, and productive apple tree, the ‘Red Delicious Bisbee Spur’ on Geneva® 969 rootstock is a perfect choice. This variety offers everything we love about traditional Red Delicious apples—deep red color, iconic shape, and a mildly sweet flavor—with the added bonus of spur-type growth for higher fruit production. Combined with the modern advantages of the Geneva® 969 rootstock, it’s a tree designed for easy care and dependable harvests in today’s home gardens and orchards.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know to grow this tree successfully—starting from bare-root planting to harvesting your first homegrown apples.

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What Makes 'Red Delicious Bisbee Spur' Special?

'Bisbee Spur' is a spur-type Red Delicious apple, which means it produces fruit on short, compact branches (called spurs) that form along the limbs. This results in a heavier fruit set, more compact shape, and increased productivity per square foot.

Here’s why growers love it:

• Deep crimson-red apples with a classic conical shape

• Mildly sweet and low-acid flavor, great for fresh eating

• Long storage life—keeps its quality in the fridge for months

• Spur-bearing growth habit means more apples in less space

• Late-season ripening, typically in October to November

This variety performs well in USDA Zones 5–9 and is especially suited for regions with warm summers and moderate winters.

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Geneva® 969 Rootstock: Small Tree, Big Benefits

The Geneva® 969 rootstock brings this classic apple variety into the 21st century. It's engineered for both strength and manageability:

• Semi-dwarf size: 10–12 feet tall and wide with pruning

• Excellent fire blight and crown rot resistance

• Early fruiting—typically within 2–3 years

• Great anchorage, even in windy spots

• Cold hardy and adaptable

That means a smaller tree that’s easier to prune, harvest, and maintain, while still delivering plenty of fruit.

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Shipped Bare-Root: Dormant in Winter, Leafed Out the Rest of the Year

This tree is shipped bare-root, which means it arrives without soil on the roots. It’s lighter, easier to plant, and gives your tree a strong start in your garden.

Here’s what to expect:

• Winter shipping: Your tree arrives dormant, with no leaves—just a bare trunk and roots. It’s sleeping but ready to wake up with spring warmth.

• Spring through fall shipping: Your tree ships leafed out but still bare-root, meaning it’s already growing and needs quick planting for best success.

Either way, bare-root trees establish faster than potted trees because they adapt quickly to native soil and send out roots faster.

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How to Plant Your Bare-Root Apple Tree

Whether it arrives dormant or leafed out, follow this simple guide to get your 'Red Delicious Bisbee Spur' tree off to a great start.

Best Time to Plant:

• Dormant (winter): Plant as soon as soil can be worked—don’t wait for warmth.

• Leafed out (spring through early fall): Plant immediately and water well.

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions:

1. Soak the roots in water for 4–6 hours before planting.

2. Dig a wide hole—twice as wide as the root spread and just deep enough for the roots to sit flat.

3. Position the graft union (the bump where tree meets rootstock) 2–3 inches above soil level.

4. Backfill with soil, firming gently as you go to remove air pockets.

5. Water deeply right after planting.

6. Mulch around the base, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

Tip: Stake the tree for its first 1–2 years, especially if it’s leafed out or planted in a windy spot. Geneva® 969 roots are sturdy but benefit from support while young.

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Growing Conditions: Light, Soil, Water

Once planted, your tree is ready to grow. Here's how to help it thrive:

Light:

• Full sun is essential—6 to 8 hours daily

Water:

• Water deeply once a week during the first year

• More often during heat or drought

• Don’t let it sit in soggy soil

Soil:

• Prefers loamy, well-draining soil

• Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) works best

Fertilizer:

• Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring

• Avoid heavy nitrogen applications—too much leaf growth means fewer apples

Pruning:

• Prune in late winter or early spring

• Focus on an open shape with good airflow

• Remove suckers and branches growing inward or crossing

• Thin some spurs as the tree ages to prevent overcrowding

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Pollination Partners: Boost Your Harvest

The 'Bisbee Spur' needs a pollination partner to set fruit well. Here are some compatible apple varieties that bloom at the same time:

• Golden Delicious

• Fuji

• Gala

• Granny Smith

Plant your pollinator within 50 feet, or encourage nearby bees and pollinators with blooming herbs and flowers.

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Harvest Time: When to Pick

You’ve done the work—now comes the reward! Expect your 'Red Delicious Bisbee Spur' apples to ripen in October or early November.

Look for these signs:

• Fully red skin, with no green spots remaining

• Firm texture and a sweet aroma

• Apples that detach easily when lifted and twisted gently

Use them for:

• Fresh snacking

• Lunchbox slices (they don’t brown quickly!)

• Juicing or drying

• Storing—they can last 3–5 months in cold storage

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Year-by-Year Growth Expectations

Year 1 – Rooting & Growth

• Tree focuses on establishing a root system

• Expect moderate leaf growth; no fruit yet

• Prioritize watering and shaping the form

Year 2 – First Flowers

• Some flowering may occur

• Thin fruitlets to encourage root and branch growth

Year 3–5 – Fruiting Stage

• Strong fruiting starts

• Annual pruning and balanced feeding keep it productive

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Why You’ll Love It

This tree combines timeless apple beauty with modern performance:

• Rich, red apples that look like they came from a storybook

• Spur-bearing habit = more apples in less space

• Compact, easy-to-manage size

• Disease-resistant rootstock = less spraying, more enjoying

• Ships bare-root for fast establishment and strong growth

Whether you’re building an edible landscape, planting a home orchard, or adding to your collection of backyard trees, the ‘Red Delicious Bisbee Spur’ on Geneva® 969 is a standout choice. With the right start and a sunny spot, you’ll be picking deep red apples and sharing them with family and friends for years to come.