Name: Akane Apple Tree | Early Sweet-Tart Japanese Apple
SKU: Apple Tree (Akane)
Availability: InStock

Apple Tree (Akane)

Akane is one of the first dessert apples of the season, with a crisp, juicy bite and a balanced sweet-tart flavor carrying strawberry and floral notes. Bred in Japan from Jonathan and Worcester Pearmain, it is named for the Japanese word for red.

Ripens early, ahead of most other dessert apples
Precocious, bearing fruit from a young age
Crisp, juicy texture, best enjoyed fresh
Resistant to apple scab and powdery mildew
Needs a pollinator; not self-fertile

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Ships in 1 to 4 business days from our nursery in Washington state, in a 36 inch box.

Description

Akane is one of the first dessert apples ready each year, with a crisp, juicy bite and a sweet-tart flavor carrying strawberry and floral notes. It was bred in Japan, released in 1937, a cross of Jonathan and Worcester Pearmain, and named for the Japanese word for red.

The tree bears reliably from a young age and holds its fruit well on the branch, giving an extended picking window even though the apples themselves do not store long once picked.

Overview

Early-season dessert apple
Sweet-tart flavor, strawberry and floral notes
Crisp, juicy, best eaten fresh
Precocious and reliably productive
Resistant to scab and powdery mildew

Growing Details

Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Akane’
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approximately 800 hours
Hardiness:Hardy to USDA Zone 4
Rootstock: M-106 (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1 to 3 years
Size at Maturity: 12-15′ tall and wide – easily maintained smaller with pruning.
Flowering Group: Mid-season bloom
Ripening Time: Early season; late August into early September
Pollination: Not self-fertile; needs a compatible apple variety nearby
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care matter
Yield: Reliable producer once established

Additional Notes

Grower’s Insight: Akane holds well on the tree, so there is no rush to pick everything at once, but the fruit is short-keeping once harvested and is best planned for fresh eating rather than storage.
Regional Insight: In wet-summer, high-rainfall climates, watch for anthracnose canker (bull’s-eye rot) on the bark; it is far less of a concern in drier growing regions.
Explore more apple trees in our collection: Apple Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Akane Apple

Sun: 1/2 day to full day of sun
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid prolonged saturation
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
Size: 12-15′ tall and wide, easily kept smaller
Pollination: Requires a compatible apple partner
Harvest: Early season (late summer)
Hardiness:Hardy to USDA Zone 4

Planting & Care – Akane Apple

Site Selection

Choose a site with at least 1/2 day of sun.
Full sun improves flavor and color.
Avoid low spots where cold air or moisture collects.

Soil Preparation

Apples grow best in deep, well-drained soil.
If drainage is poor, amend or plant on a slight mound.
Ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.

Planting Instructions

Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
Plant with the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
Mulch 2–3″ deep, kept away from the trunk.

Watering & Fertilizing

Keep soil evenly moist during the first 1–2 years.
Deep water 1–2 times weekly while establishing, then every 7–14 days.
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in spring if growth is weak.

Pollination

Akane is not self-fertile.
Plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet.
Most mid-season blooming apples make good partners.

Pruning & Training

Train to a central leader or modified central leader.
Prune in late winter to remove crossing branches.
Summer pruning can help manage vigor and light penetration.

Harvest & Use

Harvest when fruit is fully colored and crisp.
Meant to be eaten firm and fresh, not soft-ripened.
Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.

General Tips

Thin fruit in heavy-set years to reduce limb stress.
Annual mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Consistent early care sets up long-term productivity.

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