Sweet and mild, these popular supermarket apples pack an extra punch when eaten straight from the tree. Gala apple trees do well in warm to temperate climates, and if you keep an eye on their health, you'll be rewarded with tasty, vibrant apples.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Malus domestica 'Gala'

COMMON NAME: Gala Apple

GARDEN SIZE: Depends on root stock - Dwarf 8-10 ft. tall and wide, Semi-Dwarf 12-15 ft. tall and wide, Standard/Full 15-20’ tall and wide, Espalier varies with culture

USDA ZONE: 5-8

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Loamy & well drained soil

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

BLOOM TIME: Late-midseason - Flowering Group 4

HARVEST TIME: Midseason, ripens mid-September

FRUIT: Gala apples have a sweet, mild flavor and crisp, fine-grained texture. Their appearance is vibrant with a base color of yellow-orange, a blush of red-pink, and deeper red striping on top. Their red color deepens the longer they mature on the tree. Apples keep well in storage.

USES: Fresh eating, juice, salads. Adds a mild, slightly floral sweetness when combined with stronger apple flavors.

POLLENIZATION: Partially self-fertile - produces some fruit without another tree, but produces a better harvest with a compatible pollenization partner nearby

POLLENIZATION (Trees that pollenize this one): Colonnade Golden Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, Ginger Gold, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Wolf River

POLLENIZATION (Trees that are pollenized by this one): Arkansas Black, Colonnade Golden Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, Ginger Gold, Golden/Yellow Delicious, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Red Rome, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Stayman Winesap, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Winesap, Wolf River

CARE: Prune while the tree is dormant. Remove water sprouts in June or July. Options for controlling pests, bacterial infections, and fungal disease include dormant oils applied early in the season before blooming, scented insect traps, and copper-based fungicides. DO NOT apply insecticides during blooming. This risks harming bees, which are crucial for pollination and fruit production. If necessary, fireblight can be treated with a streptomycin antibiotic spray during blooming. Apple trees need about an inch of water every 7-10 days, though young trees need a little more during their first growing season as they establish roots. If not enough rain has fallen, give the tree extra water by running a hose at a trickle around the base of the tree until the ground is fully soaked (but not for so long that there is standing water). Waterlogged roots can harm apple trees, so don't overdo it!

DISEASE RESISTANCE: Fairly susceptible to diseases, so plan to keep an eye on your tree’s health. Very susceptible to scab and fireblight, moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and cedar apple rust. They prefer a dry climate to minimize disease.

TOXICITY: Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide and are therefore toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. The fruit is non-toxic.