Jujube GA 866 Tree

GA 866 is a jujube for fruit lovers who measure sweetness by intensity. Its elongated, reddish-brown fruit develops dense, crisp flesh with an exceptionally high sugar level and a fresh flavor often compared to a very sweet apple. Eaten directly from the tree, the fruit has an appealing snap and concentrated juice; allowed to wrinkle or dried after harvest, it becomes chewy, richer, and date-like.

That transformation makes GA 866 equally useful for fresh snacking, drying, baking, and storing for cool-season use. Fine, glossy foliage gives the tree a graceful texture in the landscape, while its tolerance of heat and dry conditions makes it a practical orchard choice. For gardeners interested in premium jujube flavor, GA 866 offers a memorable combination of crispness, extraordinary sweetness, and the versatility to be enjoyed at several stages of ripeness.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil with room for a standard tree. Jujubes tolerate heat, drought, and less-than-perfect soils once established, but regular water during fruit development supports size and quality. Prune while young to establish a strong, harvestable framework.

GA 866 is partly self-fruitful, but another jujube with overlapping bloom is recommended for better production. Li, Lang, or Honey Jar can increase cross-pollination while adding a different fruit size and harvest experience.

Jujube GA 866 Tree Details

• Fruit: Large, elongated fruit that ripens reddish brown
• Flavor and texture: Exceptionally sweet, dense, and crisp when fresh; chewy and date-like when dried
• Best uses: Fresh eating, drying, baking, tea, and storage
• Harvest: mid-September – late October, with timing varying by region and season
• USDA zones: 5–9
• Chill hours: About 200 hours
• Tree size: Standard
• Pollination: Partly self-fruitful; better production with another jujube
• Recommended pollinizers or companions: Li, Lang, or Honey Jar
• Special care: Full sun, excellent drainage, and structural pruning while young
• Something Special: GA 866 traces to the USDA plant-introduction collection at Chico, California; its code-like name preserves the experimental selection designation.

Orchard Planning Resources

• Bare Root Tree Selection Guide
• How to Plant Bare Root Trees
• Fruit and Nut Tree Characteristics
• Tree Rootstock Characteristics Chart