Gala Apple Tree

James H. Kidd first discovered the Gala Apple as one of several seedlings that results from a breeding program in New Zealand. The Gala first gained popularity in the 1930s as a commercially viable apple having beneficial characteristics from its parents: the prodigious Golden Delicious and the Kidd's Orange Red. 

The Gala Apple various widely in both color and size depending on which variant is harvested but all Galas share several defining characteristics. The defining feature of Galas are the strong vertical stripes and a distinct orange hue. The later comes from one if its parent, the Cox Orange Pippin. Color, however, can vary from bright orange to red to deep maroon. Galas can vary is size from golf to softball size and are slightly lobed. When viewed from the calyx end, one can see the pentagonal lobes which give this apple its shape. 

Galas are sweet and rather juicy. Their flesh is golden yellow in color and gently crunchy. 

Its excellent growing and storing ability helped the Gala become on of the most popular apples in the world. It is hardy from zones 4 to 9 and requires less chill hours (dormancy period for trees) than other apple trees~ 800 hours. Because its long storing capacity and since its been around for nearly 100 years, the Gala has been widely used in baking. 

We like the Gala because its an early ripening apple and is a consistent fruiter. The apple also produces solidly sweet cider so early in the season. For aspiring cider makers, this early, sweet producer is reliable and stores well for longer periods for prolonged use. 

USDA Zone: 4-9

Mature Heights:

B.9: ~8-10' Tall at Maturity; Dwarf

EMLA 7: ~15-17' Tall at Maturity; Semi-Dwarf

M.111: ~18-21' tall at Maturity; Semi-Standard

Antonovka: 25'+ at Maturity; Standard

Sun: Full Sun

Bloom Group: 3 Mid Season

Ripening Time: Early September

Pollination: Required