Mayhaw trees are a Southern favorite, loved for their fragrant spring blooms and tart red fruit that’s perfect for jellies, syrups, and pies. These native trees thrive in warm, humid climates and are as beautiful as they are productive. Before you plant, there are three key factors to consider: chill hours, planting location, and choosing the right variety with pollination in mind.

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Chill Hours: Understanding What Mayhaws Need

Chill hours are the number of hours trees spend in cool weather—between 32°F and 45°F—during winter. This rest period resets their growth cycle and ensures strong flowering and fruit set in spring.

Mayhaw trees typically require 400–600 chill hours, making them a great fit for the Southeast and other regions with mild winters.

Here’s how different parts of the U.S. measure up:

• Southern states (Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Florida Panhandle): 300–600 hours — ideal for all Mayhaw varieties.
• Mid-South and Midwest (Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma): 600–900 hours — still suitable for most cultivars.
• Northern regions often exceed 1,000 hours, so choose grafted cold-hardy types such as Super Texas Star for better performance.

Matching your climate’s chill hours to the right variety ensures reliable flowering and fruit production.

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Planting Location: Soil, Sun, and Early Care

Mayhaws thrive in full sun, needing at least 6–8 hours of direct light daily. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, often found near creek bottoms or lowland areas—but they’ll adapt well to sandy loam or clay loam if drainage is good.

To give your young tree the best start:

• Add Nutra Pro First-Year Fertilizer Packs for balanced, slow-release nutrition.
• Use a soil-moisture transplant mix to hold water and reduce transplant shock.
• Protect new trees with tree shelters, which guard against deer, rabbits, and sunscald while encouraging upright growth.

Space Mayhaws about 15–20 feet apart for good air circulation and easier harvesting.

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Varieties and Pollination

Three standout Mayhaw varieties worth planting are:

• Georgia Red – A reliable, early-bearing variety that produces heavy crops of bright red fruit, ideal for jelly making.
• Red Star – Known for its large, flavorful berries and disease resistance, making it perfect for home orchards.
• Super Texas Star (Grafted) – A grafted cultivar with exceptional fruit size and flavor, as well as improved cold tolerance for northern zones.

Mayhaw trees are partially self-pollinating, but planting two or more varieties will increase yields and improve fruit size. Cross-pollination also helps ensure a more consistent crop year after year.

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Recipe: Mayhaw Jelly Bars 🍯🍓

Sweet, tart, and melt-in-your-mouth, these dessert bars highlight the bright flavor of Mayhaw jelly.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup Mayhaw jelly

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla; mix in flour until crumbly.
3. Press half of the dough into the pan.
4. Spread Mayhaw jelly evenly over the base.
5. Crumble remaining dough on top to create a streusel-like layer.
6. Bake 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool, cut into squares, and enjoy!

These bars are buttery and crisp with a burst of sweet-tart jelly in every bite—a true taste of the South.

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🛒 Where to Buy Mayhaw Trees

For premium trees at unbeatable value, order from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC:

✅ Best prices on GA Red, Red Star, and Super Texas Star Mayhaw trees
✅ Non-GMO, climate-suitable selections for every U.S. region
✅ Fast shipping so trees arrive fresh and planting-ready
✅ Free 1-Year Plantsurance™ Guarantee – store credit if your plant doesn’t survive 🛡️

At Ty Ty, planting is always zero stress and all success.

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🌟 Final Thought

Mayhaw trees are a Southern treasure, offering beauty, resilience, and delicious fruit for generations. By understanding chill hours, preparing the right site, and pairing top varieties like GA Red, Red Star, and Super Texas Star, you’ll enjoy bountiful harvests of these ruby-red gems every spring.

Order your bare root Mayhaw trees from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC today and plant with confidence.