King David apple

King David identification images

USDA identification images for King David

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

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  Year: 1928
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  Year: 1931
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  Year: 1913
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  Year: 1913
• 
  Year: 1927
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  Year: 1906
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  Year: 1909
• 
  Year: 1915
• 
  Year: 1909
• 
  Year: 1915
• 
  Year: 1929

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Visitor reviews

• 21 Oct 2017  MikeOR, United States

  I am delighted to have finally found the name of this apple, which I first tasted from Black Diamond Orchards in Ithica, NY many years ago, but had forgotten the name of. Got one recently at a market here in Portland OR and instantly recognized it on first bite. Visually it's like a large AK Black, but much more aromatic and a bit sharper in acid. In my opinion, a more complex balance than any of its parents. What makes this variety most unique to me though is the heady, aromatic ("foxy") flavor of Muscat grape on the finish. I've never tasted that in an apple before or since. It's like those Japanese gummies. For that reason alone this is getting a place in my small garden. I can only imagine the cider and preserves this would make.
• 23 Oct 2015  Robert VaughanCA, United States

  We planted a King David approximately 4 years ago and grew it espalier style on my fence, which runs north to south. This year we had approximately 30 apples with each weighing approximately 1lb. The taste is great and no insects have hurt the apples, even without any pesticide spraying. It is sweet and spicy and our favorite apple.
• 01 Oct 2015  GaryMISSOURI, United States

  I went to Bucks orchard last year and he told me he only had two trees of King David apples,so I bought peck and loved them!
• 24 Sep 2015  Tim In AlbionMENDOCINO COUNTY, CA, United States

  My favorite of the 50+ varieties I grow. Intense sweet/tart flavor, fair keeper, but its most remarkable charactieristic is the flavor it contributes to cider. More of the apple flavor persists through fermentation than with any other apple I've tried, including many English and French cider cultivars. It also contributes a nice soft astringency, so apparently it develops tannins in my cool-summer climate. Wonderful!
• 07 Sep 2015  P. SeburnNW VA, United States

  Got first good crop this year on m111, perhaps, 50lbs - took about 7 rs. Wonderful winesappy intense sweet tart taste, firm white flesh, most beautiful red apples when fully ripe.
• 04 Jun 2015  DougWA / USA, United States

  Have six King Davids, all producing perfectly. Taste is the finest blend of sweet and sour in the Universe. Bought 4 for a backpack trip ten years ago and consumed all four in 20 minutes. Went and bought trees.
• 12 Jul 2014  DavidNC, United States

  I planted this tree to honor my collies who passed away 7 years ago. It had not produced much, but after extream cold this spring, much to my surprise, it is full. Sadie loved apples, and I would sit on my porch and cut 3 apples up and she would eat every bite. Sitting on the porch now and looking at the tree and missing Sadie and Shadow.
• 25 Jan 2014  Leona TichenorUnited States

  Tasted King David as a child in an orchard in Bullitt County, KY and loved it.
• 17 Sep 2013  AmandaWISCONSIN, United States

  I bought two of these trees 9 years ago. One was girdled by wildlife during the winter and the one that remains hasn't really done much. I see I'm on the edge of the zones for it really and we can get late frosts. This year my other trees are prolific but this tree has nothing but an abundance of sucker branches. I'm hoping to make some adjustments to get it producing.
• 19 Oct 2011  Dave LiezenWASHINGTON, United States

  Went to Feil Pioneer Fruit Stand just north of Wenatchee last Saturday and bought some of these apples - enough for us to try and for some other people. Unbelievable flavors: rich, sweet, spicy, and my wife likens it to caramel, too. Yep, want this growing out back.
• 19 Sep 2011  Dave LiezenWASHINGTON, United States

  The article I'd mentioned earlier sounded so compelling, and I see records from Maine that indicate King David might do fine here, so I hope to graft some scions onto some root stock already in the ground spring of '12 and see how they do. Will keep you posted.
• 31 Aug 2011  P. SeburnNW VA, United States

  Hi Dave - (was just in your beautiful state last week!) My tree is not flowering yet (maybe 3 yrs old?), but getting quite large. Hopefully flowers next year.
• 10 Aug 2011  Dave LiezenWASHINGTON, United States

  Patrick: I live in Spokane, WA, zone 5-6 and am considering this cv. When does your tree bloom? This site states it blooms in group 3, in The Best Apples To Buy And Grow it is said to bloom late, contemporaneous with Arkansas Black, which I would put at group 5 or 6. Thanks, Dave Liezen
• 13 Jan 2011  P. SeburnNW VA, United States

  This is an excellent tasting and beautiful apple, with winesap overtones. I have one growing and it seems to be very grower friendly and disease resistant so far (fireblight can be an issue here).

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Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow King David:

United States

• California

  • The Apple Farm -- Bates & Schmitt, Philo

• Idaho

  • BYU-Idaho Apple Orchard Museum, Rexburg

• Indiana

  • Apple Works, Trafalgar
  • Chandler's Farm, Fillmore
  • Tuttle Orchards, Greenfield

• Iowa

  • Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City

• Maine

  • Tiny Orchards, Saco

• Missouri

  • Red Bird Hill Apple Orchard, Fulton

• New Jersey

  • Riamede Farm, Chester

Australia

• Victoria

  • Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield