Name: Braeburn Apple Tree | Sweet-Tart Late-Season Apple
SKU: Apple Tree (Braeburn)
Availability: InStock

Apple Tree (Braeburn)

Braeburn is a bold, sweet-tart apple with firm, crisp flesh that holds its texture well after harvest, equally at home eaten fresh or baked into a pie. It keeps its quality in cold storage for months.

Balances sweetness with real acidity, never one-note
Versatile for fresh eating and baking
Good keeper, holds its quality for months in storage
Late-season ripening, a long harvest to look forward to
Discovered in New Zealand, now grown worldwide

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Ships late January to February Bare-root pre-order: we ship when the trees are dormant, timed for your region.

Description

Braeburn carries a bold, sweet-tart flavor in firm, crisp flesh that holds its texture well after harvest, making it as useful for baking as it is for eating out of hand. It was discovered as a chance seedling in New Zealand and introduced commercially in the 1950s and 1960s, and it has since become one of the most widely grown late-season apples in the world.

It is a good keeper by apple standards, holding its quality in cold storage for months, and the tree crops reliably once established.

Overview

Bold sweet-tart flavor, firm crisp texture
Versatile: fresh eating and baking
Good keeper, months in cold storage
Late-season ripening
New Zealand origin, grown worldwide

Growing Details

Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Braeburn’
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approximately 700 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: Group 4 (late-mid season)
Ripening Time: Late season; typically October
Pollination: Partially self-fertile; heavier crops with 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: Braeburn will set some fruit alone, but a second apple variety nearby makes for a noticeably heavier crop, and the flavor is worth the extra planning.
Regional Insight: Braeburn was bred in a moderate maritime climate, and it generally performs well anywhere summers are warm enough to finish a late-season apple without extreme winter cold.
Explore more apple trees in our collection: Apple Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Braeburn 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: Partially self-fertile; better with a partner
Harvest: Late season (October)
Hardiness:Hardy to USDA Zone 4

Planting & Care – Braeburn Apple

Site Selection

Choose a location with good sun for best flavor and color.
Full sun is ideal, though at least 1/2 day is sufficient.
Good airflow supports healthy growth.

Soil Preparation

Apples prefer deep, well-drained soil.
Avoid areas where water sits after rain.
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

Braeburn is partially self-fertile.
For heavier, more consistent crops, plant another apple variety nearby.
Most mid- to late-season blooming apples are suitable partners.

Pruning & Training

Train to a central leader or modified central leader.
Prune in late winter to open the canopy.
Summer pruning can help manage vigor and fruit color.

Harvest & Use

Harvest when fruit is fully colored and firm.
Excellent fresh, baked, or sliced.
Stores well compared to many apples when kept cool.

General Tips

Thin fruit in heavy-set years to improve size.
Good sunlight and airflow support the best flavor.
Consistent early care leads to dependable production.

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