All About Dorsett Golden Apples

Posted onLast updated: April 25, 2021 By: AuthorRyan

CategoriesApples
Out of the 7,500 apple varieties to consider, the Dorsett Golden apples are one of the few that
thrives in tropical growing conditions, including zones 5 – 9 in the United States. Dorsett
Golden apples are early season growers with a beautiful yellow-green color and a lovely light
crisp.

Homegrown golden apple crops are usually ready for harvest in June or July and serve as
fantastic pollinators for similar apple varieties, with low chill times and plentiful fruit.

Golden apples
History
Dorsett Golden Apples first appeared in 1954, descending from the popular Golden
Delicious variety. Mrs. Irene Dorsett of New York traveled to the Bahamas and planted a
Golden Delicious orchard in Nassau.

It was there that this new golden apple was first found and soon named after Dorsett as it
made its way to the United States and beyond. It was assigned the botanical name malus and
became popular for cross-pollination with the Anna apple that originated in Israel.

Sweet Flavor Profile

Out of all the apples grown in the United States, Dorsett Golden apples are some of the
sweetest. These lightly aromatic apples are juicy and sweet with a refreshing crunch. When
grown in extremely healthy and fertile soil, the flesh can be a great combination of firm yet
creamy for a refreshing, healthy snack.

The overall flavor can depend on the growing conditions and harvest time. While ample sun
exposure is definitely recommended for this fruit tree, many growers find that this type of
apple produces enhanced flavor in locations with a bit of shade. This is opposite from the
typical recommendations for cooler and winter climates.

How to Use Dorsett Golden Apples

You can put a lot on the menu with Dorsett golden apples, which have a delectable, fruity
flavor to complement fan-favorite homestyle recipes. A medium to large Dorsett Golden
apple can be used to make a vibrant fruit salad or a yummy apple pie to share with family and
friends.

The Anna apple pairs well with the Dorsett for cooking and baking. These two low chill
varieties offer a great mix of tart and sweet flavors to produce mouthwatering muffins,
pastries, and breads. You can also save them to use for a butter spread or jug of tasty apple
cider at any time of the year.

Keep in mind that Dorsett Golden apples do not keep as well as other apple varieties in the
United States, so store them in the refrigerator and try to snack on them sooner rather than
later.
Slice of mouth watering rustic apple pie
Dorsett Golden Apples: Nutrition
The fruits from a Dorsett Golden apple tree are healthy and nutrient-rich so you can feel good
about eating them. Not only does every apple contain very few calories, but this fruit also has
a variety of nutrients such as potassium and vitamin C. With a decent amount of fiber in each
apple, Dorsett Golden Apples are a smart addition to a healthy diet.

Having fruit that’s as healthy and delicious as a perfectly ripe apple is even better when you
grow this fruit at home. The ideal growing conditions for these apples are achievable in both
mild and tropical climates with the right planning and preparation, so it’s a versatile option if
you’re interested in healthy homegrown fruits without any chemicals. Knowing that you grew
the fruit root trees from start to finish in your garden makes the affordable price of home
growing even better.

Where to Buy a Dorsett Golden Apple Tree

Dorsett Golden Apple Tree
159.95
Dorsett Golden Apple is well-suited to warm climates. It is really popular with growers in Zone 8
- 9, as its one of the few low-chill apples that require less than 100 chilling hours for a
successful harvest.

Buy Now
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
While traditionally Dorsett Golden apple trees were available primarily in nurseries near their
growing zones, now they can be purchased across all areas of the United States. Amazon
helps a lot of customers interested in home growing, whether they be in warm regions like
Santa Barbara, California, or America’s heartland.

You can start with just one tree with soil products or buy several trees in a group from
Amazon. Type in your zip code and start searching for popular apple tree products and
orders. Read the product description to get a better idea of the tree, whether it be a bare root
system or an extra-tall tree.
Like customer reviews say, Amazon is trusted for fast shipping schedules and reliable
customer service, which certainly helps when buying more apple trees to give your home
growing activities a boost. Before you order, just remember to check the reviews to ensure
you choose the proper name, height, and variety.

Amazon apple tree orders shouldn’t take too long to process from the moment you fill up
your shopping cart. Some favorites include this 6-7 ft Dorsett apple tree from Brighter
Blooms on Amazon. The Perfect Plants store on Amazon includes some high-quality Dorsett
apple trees with a fertilizer blend too.

When you decide on the right apple tree for you, click add to cart and place your order on
Amazon with your email address. It’s known for a quality selection of home growing plants
and tools, with all major credit cards accepted, American Express included. That means
homegrown apple tree varieties await for an exciting garden that’s full of potential.

Growing Dorsett Golden Apples in the United States

Orchard with Dorsett Golden Apples

Mediterranean climates are perfect for the Dorsett apple tree. These fruit trees flourish in the
warm weather of Southern California, Florida, and the Bahamas where it first started. It’s
possible to grow the Dorsett apple tree in more mild regions of the United States, although
colder conditions in the winter can alter its timeline to flower and fruit, making it a later
season variety.

While this tree is naturally hardy and able to withstand the elements, disease, and pests quite
well, many home growers see even better results by applying fertilizer to the root ball each
year. Fruit will appear within the first year of planting, and these apples are ripe and ready for
picking by the middle of June or the start of July.

With a chill time between 100-200 hours, home growers can grow them in home gardens as a
relatively low-maintenance crop compared to other varieties. It is important to monitor these
trees in mid-to-late June so the fruit is picked when it’s just ripe. These trees flourish when
planted in slightly acidic and fertile soil during the winter months from December to
February.

Tips for Proven Planting Success

If it’s one of your first ventures into home growing or you’re exploring new apple types, it’s
important to prepare your garden space to set the Dorsett up to prosper, keeping in mind its
growth rate and chill time.

The Perfect Spot

First things first, look for a spot where the soil drains properly, so the trees won’t be flooded
by heavy rains and standing water. Also think about sunlight, and select a space where the
sun shines directly for a minimum of six hours each day.

Planting Time

When it comes time to plant the tree, dig a hole deep enough to contain the root ball and
twice as wide. Put the tree into position before filling the soil and patting it down to eliminate
air pockets. Make sure you put mulch around the tree, but not touching the trunk base. This
locks in moisture and helps the roots settle in.

Watering and Pruning

Appropriately maintaining the tree and any nearby plants helps to support the growth rate and
achieve plentiful crops for delicious home recipes. A weekly watering routine is important,
especially if your region is going through a heatwave or even drought. If you’re not positive
whether more water is needed, just check if the soil is dry around the two or three-inch mark.
If it is, it’s time for some more water.

Periodic pruning is recommended once the tree matures and bears fruit. Leave the pruning for
dormant times and take off damaged branches or fast-growing stems.

Similar Fruits
Other early season and tropical apple varieties found in the United States include Ein Shemer,
Anna, and TropicSweet. Not all apple trees (Malus domestica) thrive in warmer
environments, but the Dorsett Golden Apple Tree is a great choice with a similar flavor
profile to the fruit from Golden Delicious trees.

The Fuji apple trees are super sweet and made for tropical places, although they are red in
color and do best in spots with full sun. Plus, Fuji trees need 200-400 chill hours, more than
the Dorsett tree that blossoms with as little as 100 chill hours in warm growing regions like
Santa Barbara, California, and the southeastern U.S.

FAQ
How big do Dorsett apple trees get?

Depending on the growing conditions and the type of root trees selected, you can expect
Dorsett apple trees to be anywhere from 5-20 ft at mature height. It’s beneficial to have well
drained soil to support the tree’s rootstocks, and the more sun the trees get, the better.

Thanks to its minimal chill requirements, it’s possible to successfully grow the Dorsett
Golden apple throughout zone 5 all the way to zone 9. While the planting location is
important, so is the amount of sun. Growing areas can include a bit of shade to positively
influence the final flavor.

With the array of apple trees and soil types to order online, you can choose shorter or taller
trees based on your home garden space and overall goals for apple trees and other
fruit/veggie plants.

How long does it take for a golden apple tree to grow?

Within one to two years of planting this bare root tree, you can see a generous apple crop for
some extremely yummy and healthy recipes. The growing environment in zone 9 or similar
areas supports durable and highly-resistant trees that give you early season fruits with a
similar firmness and flavor to fall harvests.

What is a golden apple good for?

Growing a Dorsett Golden apple tree in the United States is a fun home growing project. This
apple variety offers a tasty, healthy fruit that grows well in drained soil and mild to tropical
regions. With an impressive chill requirement of 100 hours, it’s a great choice for first-time
home growers who want a fantastic fruit in nearly full sun conditions.

Once the tree fruit is ripe and ready to go, with its light, pretty pink plush, you can pick them
and either start crunching away or store them in the fridge for home cooking or baking. Try
making a succulent apple spread or a good old fashioned pie for a fabulously fruity dessert.

Do you need two apple trees to get Golden apples?

Yes, a different type of apple tree is required to pollinate the Dorsett across zones 5 through
9. The crab apple and Anna apple tree varieties are listed in many customer reviews as good
pollination partners for the Dorsett. Some home growers place orders of multiple varieties at
the same time so they can grow them side by side to get the best yield.
Autumn Harvest Season Yellow apples on apple tree leaves
Learn More About Apples
If you’re ready to grow your own Dorsett Golden Apples, don’t forget to order yours online
today. You can type in your zip code to find the best fruit tree near you.

While you wait for your fruit trees and home growing materials to arrive, please follow us
on Instagram and check out the rest of the apple and home growing guides on our website. If
you have any questions about a certain type of apple tree or you want to know how to grow
Golden Delicious in your backyard, just let us know!