Description
GA-866 is a fresh-eating jujube selected for crisp texture, clean sweetness, and reliable performance. Unlike drying-focused jujubes, it is meant to be eaten firm, at the apple-like stage, where its eating quality is most apparent.
The fruit is consistently crisp and juicy when harvested at the right time, and the tree itself remains compact and productive with minimal intervention. Developed through USDA breeding work, GA-866 reflects a deliberate focus on usable fruit quality rather than novelty.
For growers looking for a dependable jujube that performs well across a range of conditions, GA-866 offers a straightforward, no-nonsense fresh-eating option—one that has proven itself by how often growers choose it again.
Overview
- Fresh-eating jujube selected for crisp, apple-like texture
- Clean sweetness best enjoyed when eaten firm
- Compact, manageable tree with consistent production
- Reliable performance across diverse climates
- Well-suited to growers seeking predictable results
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ziziphus jujuba ‘GA-866’
Primary Use: Fresh eating
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Low chill; exact hours not well defined
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Rootstock: Grafted onto jujube rootstock
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 10–15 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Ripening Time: Mid-season within jujube varieties; timing varies by region
Pollination: Self-fertile; improved yield with another jujube planted within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Generally low pressure; routine orchard hygiene recommended
Yield: Consistent once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: GA-866 is the jujube we point people to when they want dependable fresh eating without surprises—it’s crisp, clean, and consistently well-liked.
- Regional Insight: Performs well across temperate regions, including areas with cooler summers where predictable ripening matters.
- Harvest at the firm, crisp stage for best eating quality.
- Best enjoyed fresh; drying is possible but not the primary strength of this selection.
- Explore more jujube varieties in our collection: Jujube Trees
