{"title":"Cooking \u0026 Roasting","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit for the rest of the kitchen: baked whole, roasted, poached, stewed, or cooked into chutney and savory dishes. Everything here scored 6 or higher out of 10 for cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"alexander-apple","title":"Alexander Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe Origins of ‘Alexander’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e‘Alexander’ likely originated in Ukraine sometime during the 1700s, where it was thought to have been known as Aporta. The name Alexander was later attributed to the apple in honor of Russia's Emperor Alexander I.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eArrival in America\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn the early 1800s, as pioneers migrated to the colder, harsher regions of the western United States, many European cultivars and their American seedlings struggled to survive the extreme winters of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern New England.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRecognizing the need for more cold-hardy varieties, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society partnered with the London Horticultural Society to import four Russian cultivars:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e'Tetovsky'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e'Red Astrachan'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e'Duchess of Oldenburg'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e'Alexander'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese varieties have since spread across Montana. While 'Alexander' is found in lower numbers than 'Duchess', it can still be spotted from the Bitterroot and Flathead areas to valleys throughout Eastern Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn 1906, the Montana State Board of Horticulture declared that ‘Alexander’ was a cultivar “successful in nearly every part of Montana.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor and Usage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e‘Alexander’ is a large dessert apple and tastes great fresh off the tree. However, it does not store well and tends to become mealy quickly, making it better suited for sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe apples produce a rich, lemony-flavored applesauce that’s both intense and pleasantly tangy. Though not widely known for it, ‘Alexander’ also has the potential to make a great cider—something we have yet to try ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness and Growing Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e‘Alexander’ is extremely cold-hardy, reportedly surviving temperatures as low as -50°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42498751430722,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124728586306,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/alexander-apple-fruit.webp?v=1789019153"},{"product_id":"arkansas-black","title":"Arkansas Black Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eArkansas Black: A Striking, Hardy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black produces a medium-sized fruit with dark red skin—so dark it’s nearly black. The flesh is firm, white, juicy, and crisp, offering a well-balanced, pleasant flavor. It’s excellent for fresh eating and also makes great juice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eStorage and Shelf Life\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black is a heavy-bearing, vigorous tree hardy to Zone 4. The apples are known for their excellent storage capabilities. In our experience, the apples retained their firmness 3–4 months after harvest, though they did lose some tartness over time. Despite that, they remained fairly sweet and very edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eAnother strong point for Arkansas Black is its resistance to cedar-apple rust, along with some resistance to scab and fireblight—a big plus for growers in areas prone to these common apple diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWe have grafted this onto B118 for Spring 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eNote: Arkansas Black is not recommended for planting in Eastern Montana, Alaska, or any region where winter temperatures regularly drop below -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePhoto Credits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFirst two images courtesy of Forest Starr and Kim Starr (CC 2.0) and CalStanhope.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124758929474,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124758962242,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/arkansas-black-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789019154"},{"product_id":"buffaloberry-bundle-of-5","title":"Buffaloberry (Bundle of 5)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eAn extremely drought-tolerant and cold-hardy shrub, the fruits have a nice lemony, sweet\/tart taste and have recently earned the label of a \"superfruit.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImpressive Size in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIt reaches around 12–15 feet in Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, and other places we’ve seen it growing across Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNitrogen-Fixing Bonus\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThis non-leguminous, nitrogen-fixing shrub is hardy down to Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuffaloberry is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The USDA plant guide says the flowers are insect pollinated, most commonly by honey bees and bumble bees. Either way, having at least one male nearby as a pollenizer is essential for fruit production, and one male will serve several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants are grown from seed, which means there is no fixed male-to-female ratio in any given bundle. However, in large populations, seed-grown buffaloberry naturally averages about 50% male and 50% female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sex of seedlings cannot be determined until they flower, the ratio within a bundle of five is random. Statistically, each seedling has a 50% chance of being male and a 50% chance of being female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put the odds in practical terms:\u003cbr\u003eThe probability that all five seedlings are female is (0.5)⁵, or 3.125%.\u003cbr\u003eThat means the probability that a bundle of five contains at least one male is 96.875%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn real-world terms, almost every bundle of five will include a male, making this an effective and practical way to establish a fruiting planting from seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummary:\u003cbr\u003eSeedling ratio: roughly 50\/50 male–female\u003cbr\u003eOdds your bundle of five includes at least one male: ~97%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCurrent Plant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003ePlants are currently 2-3 ft tall\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535083147330,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/buffaloberry-fruit-on-branch.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"crimson-beauty-apple","title":"Crimson Beauty Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCrimson Beauty: A Landmark in Apple Breeding History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCrimson Beauty holds a special place in the history of pomology as the first known controlled apple cross. In 1866, Francis Peabody Sharp crossed Fameuse (one of McIntosh’s parents) with New Brunswicker, an all-purpose apple valued for both fresh eating and baking. The result was Crimson Beauty—a summer apple traditionally labeled by nurseries as suitable only for culinary use, sauces, and processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHowever, when we tasted it fresh off the tree at Benson’s Farm in Missoula on August 14, 2024, we were pleasantly surprised by its fresh eating quality. \u003cspan\u003eInterestingly, Bruce Benson had planned to remove the Crimson Beauty tree on his property to make room for a parking lot. After we explained the tree’s historical importance, he chose to keep it (see photo). The tree, planted by Bruce’s grandfather in 1947, remains the largest and oldest Crimson Beauty specimen we’ve seen in Montana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFlavor Profile and Culinary Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFrom our 2024 taste notes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e“Intense flavor—sweet at first, followed by tart—bursting with strawberry and other berry notes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eBecause it’s a summer apple, Crimson Beauty goes mealy quickly. For best results, we recommend harvesting slightly before full ripeness to extend its texture and shelf life. Picked at the right time, it can also be one of the earliest apples to use in pie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWhile we don’t yet know Crimson Beauty’s exact lower hardiness limit, it did survive the -33°F cold snap of 1957. Given that both Crimson Beauty and McIntosh are Fameuse seedlings, and McIntosh is reliably hardy to around -40°F, it’s reasonable to estimate that Crimson Beauty is hardy to somewhere between -35°F and -40°F.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":43865957924930,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (2 Years Older)","offer_id":42499004891202,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (2 Years Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499004956738,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/crimson-beauty-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"red-gravenstein","title":"Gravenstein Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-wrap-mode: wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"white-space-collapse: preserve;\"\u003eWe have updated out hardiness for Gravenstein. Not only has this \u003c\/span\u003evariety been successfully growing on Bruce Benson’s farm in Missoula for over 50 years, enduring multiple -30°F winters, it has survived well for Les McCartney in the low spot of the Gallatin Valley in Bozeman, MT, having seen -45F without much winter injury. Gravenstein is a solid zone 3 apple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eImportant Growing Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein comes with a few specific requirements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTriploid Variety\u003c\/strong\u003e: It cannot pollenize other apples and requires \u003cstrong\u003etwo diploid pollenizers\u003c\/strong\u003e with overlapping bloom times for successful fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly Blooming\u003c\/strong\u003e: Choose pollenizers accordingly to match its bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot a Good Keeper\u003c\/strong\u003e: This apple does not store well post-harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance and Susceptibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusceptible to\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fireblight, powdery mildew, bitter pit, and apple scab\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResistant to\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cedar-apple rust\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein has a distinctive sweet-tart flavor, often appreciated for its honey-like notes, making it a favorite for fresh eating and cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness Zone and Recommendations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis apple is best suited for Zone 4, based on its ability to survive down to -33°F. However, we do not recommend planting it in areas that routinely experience temps colder than this.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499184656450,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45131995086914,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45131995119682,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/gravenstein-apple-fruit.webp?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"haralson-apple","title":"Haralson Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased in 1922 by the University of Minnesota, Haralson is one of those apples destined to stick around, especially among cold-climate growers. With likely parentage of Malinda and Wealthy, this variety produces trees that develop a strong central leader with wide-angled scaffold limbs—making for a well-structured, durable tree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eA Favorite Among Growers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWhile we think Haralson is certainly a good apple, our close friends Kate Wilburn and Shane Sator consider it their absolute favorite. Haralson also has a special place in our hearts, as it's one of the parents—along with Dolgo crab—of Kerr, one of our all-time favorite apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Characteristics and Culinary Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHaralson produces medium to large-sized apples that are versatile in the kitchen. It’s great for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFresh eating\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eCooking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003ePies and baking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eExtreme Cold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is a solid Zone 3 apple, and its hardiness is quite good. On Ed Schultz’s farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT, Haralson trees survived -47°F with only minor limb damage on two separate occasions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45132066848834,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499213295682,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (1 Year Older)","offer_id":43865961889858,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499213393986,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":43865954910274,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/haralson-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"italian-plum","title":"Italian Plum","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"98\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"372\"\u003eOne of the most reliable European plums in Western Montana, Italian offers excellent flavor. This large, purple-skinned, freestone plum is super flavorful and very sweet when fully ripe. In Missoula, we wait until the frost gets them before harvesting, as it softens and sweetens the fruit. But don't do leave it on the tree for many consecutive evenings of frost because it will then become bland. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"394\"\u003eVersatile Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"505\"\u003eItalian plums can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked, making them a versatile addition to any garden or kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"507\" data-end=\"545\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Growing Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"546\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eA vigorous and fairly cold-hardy plum, Italian is perfect for most areas in Western Montana, unless you're in one of the colder areas (i.e. Potomac). It’s recommended for Zone 4 and it survived -25°F in Missoula on 1\/13\/24 without showing any signs of injury. Italian's limit, however, in terms of absolute extreme winter low tolerance is likely to -35°F, possibly -40°F if planted in a good area free of frost pooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"871\"\u003eSelf-Fertility and Pollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"1127\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eItalian is partially self-fertile and doesn’t require a pollenizer, though it may fruit more abundantly when planted alongside varieties like President, Stanley, Mirabelle de Bitterroot, or others. It will not cross-pollinate with Asian or American plums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 4-6 ft. - One Year Older (Less Branching than 6-8 ft.) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42751573327938,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping","offer_id":42499268542530,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/italian-plum-on-tree.png?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"jostaberry-bundle-of-3-f4ndm","title":"Jostaberry (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJostaberry is a cross between black currant, the North American coastal black gooseberry, and the European gooseberry. The flavor certainly has hints of both currant and gooseberry, with a slightly stronger currant flavor. It’s definitely worth growing!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly Fruiting \u0026amp; Cold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the first fruiting shrubs we grew, Jostaberry is hardy to at least Zone 2, making it perfect for colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Root System\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Jostaberries are 1–2 feet tall and have really nice fine root hairs. They’re going into their third year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions — white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eJostaberry is a black currant × gooseberry hybrid (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003enidigrolaria\u003c\/em\u003e), and \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. Because several states write their quarantine to cover \u003cem\u003eRibes nigrum\u003c\/em\u003e “and its hybrids,” we \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, or West Virginia\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or local restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Hampshire, where ‘Jostaberry’ is on the state’s approved rust-resistant cultivar list but still requires a permit from the Division of Forests \u0026amp; Lands; Michigan and New Jersey (state permit required); and New York (restricted outside designated fruiting-currant districts). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":42499677159490,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/jostaberry-fruit-on-bush.webp?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"kerr-crab","title":"Kerr Applecrab","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of our all-time favorites, Kerr is an applecrab (Haralson x Dolgo) bred by W.L. Kerr at the Canada Experimental Farm in 1938 and released in 1952. First introduced to us by Roger Joy in the summer of 2016, this variety immediately stood out. It’s Roger’s favorite, and we totally get why. It. has since become one of our go-to applecrabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold, complex flavor with a beautiful red skin and yellow-tinged flesh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavor notes people have reported: \u003cem\u003e\"Floral, cinnamon, cherry, grape, almond, pineapple, and even hoppy\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest for fresh eating, but also makes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGorgeous rosé-colored cider\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVibrant pink applesauce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn amazing addition to oatmeal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStores actually fairly well for several months. Loses flavor but as of 2\/22\/26 (when this was written), we've got lots in the fridge. Again, flavor is not as strong as right off the tree, and they have become a bit mealy, but they aren't bad. However, they did not store nearly as well for us in 2025 because they were picked in the latter part of their two week window to harvest the fruit. If harvested in the earlier part of that window, they will keep significantly longer. A quick rough estimate would be that for every day one waits to harvest the tree in that window, their shelf life drops a week. It would be interesting to compare this phenomenon with other apples across the board because perhaps this holds true generally?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe love it alongside Chestnut and Martha crabapples—together they make an unbeatable trio for flavor and versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurvived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, although it did have a little bit of limb damage at those temps (not to the trunk, though).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLikely hardy to -45°F without any winter injury, whereas its limit is likely -50°F or maybe a tad colder. Look towards Centennial, Rescue, and Trailman for even hardier applecrabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42751565463618,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133588627522,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133588660290,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/kerr-applecrab-in-hand.webp?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"mount-royal-plum","title":"Mount Royal Plum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMount Royal plum has been a reliable European plum variety for northern growers. It is an upright to spreading tree with an open center and moderate vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light blue plums are juicy, semi-freestone, and have sweet flesh. They are excellent for fresh eating, okay for drying, and ripen in late August to early September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMount Royal has survived temperatures as low as -44°F in West Central MN and -42°F in Columbus, MT, proving its hardiness in extreme conditions. UPDATE FALL 2025: We just discovered that Mount Royal has survived and borne a consistent crop in Lodgepole, Montana at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/agresearch.montana.edu\/warc\/research_current\/msu-ext-fruit-research-sites\/lodge_pole.html\"\u003eMSU's Lodgepole Fruit Research Site,\u003c\/a\u003e where it has gotten down to sub -45F temps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Cold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Mount Royal plums are grafted onto Native Plum and Prairie Red Plum, both of which are hardy to at least -50F. Native Plum is semi-dwarf in our MT climate\/soils, although we have found that there is some natural variation in size, as these plants are grown from seed. Prairie Red, meanwhile, exhibits less variation in size according to what Dan Sheild has observed at his site in MN.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42500896686146,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134015365186,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.(One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134015397954,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134015430722,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.(Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134015463490,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.(One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134015496258,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mount-royal-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789020641"},{"product_id":"norkent-apple","title":"Norkent Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorkent is a cross between Haralson (a true apple) and Rescue (an apple x crabapple hybrid). Norkent is one of the best tasting of the \"Nor\" series of apples, and is very hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough we've only been growing Norkent for a couple years, we’ve been impressed by its performance in Montana’s brutal winters. It has shown remarkable resilience, including surviving -47°F on Ed Schultz’s farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT without any winter injury. Ed considers it the best tasting apple in the “Nor Series,” which aligns with reports describing Norkent as one of the best-flavored ultra-hardy apples available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorkent has almost a pear-like flavor and is great for fresh eating apple. It’s a summer variety, meaning it ripens early enough to be suitable for short growing seasons like those in Alaska and Canada, where winters can reach -50°F or colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond fresh eating, Norkent is also used in sauces, cider, and other culinary applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy throughout zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan withstand temperatures to -47°F, although possibly colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes Norkent an excellent option for growers in the coldest parts of Eastern Montana, the Canadian Prairies, and many parts of Alaska, although interior Alaska should still site Norkent appropriately with good drainage and out of frost pooling areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpring 2027 Availability and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we are offering Norkent on several rootstocks:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBud 118:\u003c\/strong\u003e While often categorized as a semi-standard rootstock, in Montana’s calcareous (high pH) soils, it behaves more like a semi-dwarf. Growers in Washington’s Yakima Valley have observed the same. Hardy to -50°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDolgo:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full-size rootstock, hardy to -55°F or more. Excellent for growers in extreme cold climates needing maximum resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502494355522,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134064451650,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42502494289986,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/norkent-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020679"},{"product_id":"northern-spy-apple","title":"Northern Spy Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy – A Firm, Flavorful Classic and Breeding Powerhouse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy was one of the favorite apples of our mentor, Rod McIver. Rod grew it up in Kalispell, where the climate is slightly colder and the growing season shorter than in Missoula. As a late-season variety, Northern Spy was just on the edge of being able to ripen in time for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Rod:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eExcellent flavor and firmness, a personal favorite. Many great apples have been derived from it, including Honeycrisp, Sweet 16, Keepsake, etc. Seldom ripens on the tree before the last frost; however, the fruits can be picked and ripen in storage, and they keep very well.\u003c\/em\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRipening and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Northern Spy often struggles to ripen fully on the tree before the first frost, it is known for ripening well off the tree and storing beautifully. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a late apple that can develop flavor in storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Northern Spy on Bud 118, a semi-dwarf rootstock (in our soils\/climate in MT) that is hardy to roughly -50F (possibly more if there is consistent snow cover).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":42518934028354,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134156693570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northern-spy-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"northwest-greening-apple","title":"Northwest Greening Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorthwest Greening is an American heirloom apple with a unique origin story. Allegedly a cross between Golden Russet and Alexander, it was originally planted in 1849 by Jasen Hatch of Iola, Wisconsin. The resulting seedling was initially used as rootstock for another variety that ultimately failed. However, the tree was left to grow—and it wasn’t until the 1870s, when E.W. Daniels of Auroraville, Wisconsin, tasted the fruit, that it gained recognition. Daniels began promoting the variety and officially introduced it in 1872.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eMontana History and Legacy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAccording to the Western Agriculture Research Center in Corvallis, MT, Northwest Greening was already being grown commercially in Montana by 1900. It was listed as one of the hardiest apples in Ravalli County, and among cultivars found in Dawson, Carbon, Custer, Park, Yellowstone, Sweet Grass, and Rosebud Counties by 1901.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIncredible Yields\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhat truly caught our attention was a report from Bruce Benson, who noted that in a tough production year (2023), many of his trees failed to produce—except his lone Northwest Greening. That tree, grafted onto semi-standard MM111, produced a whopping 800 pounds (or 20 bushels) of apples from a single tree!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor-wise, Northwest Greening is comparable to Granny Smith when fresh off the tree—crisp, tart, and refreshing. One of its biggest advantages is its storability: the apples last for over three months in storage, and many say the flavor improves over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlexander (one parent): hardy to -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGolden Russet (other parent): hardy to at least -40°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBased on parentage and anecdotal reports, Northwest Greening is likely hardy to -40°F to -45°F, with some claims of survival even at -50°F. Northwest Greening had withstood temps near -35Fs on Bruce Benson's farm in Missoula (back in the 1980's). The tree seems to not have suffered from that at all. But for now we are listing this a zone 3 apple until we can confirm it can survive lower temps than this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Northwest Greening trees are grafted onto semi-dwarf Bud 118, hardy to -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134251458626,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134251491394,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northwest-greening-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"parkland-apple","title":"Parkland Apple","description":"\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eParkland\u003cspan\u003e is a cold-hardy apple variety bred from a cross between \u003c\/span\u003eRescue applecrab\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003eRed Melba\u003cspan\u003e (a red sport of Melba, itself a seedling of McIntosh). Technically, Parkland is an \u003c\/span\u003eapple × applecrab hybrid\u003cspan\u003e—with roughly \u003c\/span\u003e75% apple genetics\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e25% crabapple\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eA Perfect Fit for Cold Climates and Short Seasons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOne of the earliest ripening apples we offer, Parkland is ideally suited for regions with very short growing seasons and bitterly cold winters—making it a fantastic choice for Montana, Alaska, and other northern climates. It's even hardy enough to thrive in Mariah’s Pass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFlavor: Fairly acidic, but still quite good for fresh eating right off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardiness: Survives down to -60°F or more, one of the most cold-hardy apples we sell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOur Spring 2027 Parkland trees are 1 year older (in terms of the root system) and were bud grafted onto Dolgo Full Size rootstock, which is hardy to likely down to -60F.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42503292485698,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/parkland-apple-fruit.webp?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"prairie-sensation-apple","title":"Prairie Sensation Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePrairie Sensation left a big impression on us in its very first season. At Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, the tree looked fantastic the summer after enduring a brutal -47°F winter—a strong sign of its exceptional cold hardiness. And, it happens to be Ed's favorite apple of the scores he has grown over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred for the Prairies, Perfect for Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred by the University of Saskatchewan, Prairie Sensation is a cross between Brookland and M359. While we haven’t yet tasted it ourselves, the University reports glowing feedback:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Prairie Sensation has continued to score well in informal taste tests since 1993. Groups of growers, students, horticulture societies, faculty, and staff consistently rated it as one of the best of our selections. The flavor is a mild subacid with an intense aromatic component.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy Grow It?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor: Mildly tart with a rich, aromatic punch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness: Survives -50°F or colder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eVisual Appeal: The tree is vigorous, healthy, and visually impressive—especially after extreme winters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpring 2027 Availability and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOur Spring 2027 Prairie Sensation trees are grafted onto Bud 118 and Dolgo, and are one year older (Spring bench grafted in 2025). Therefore, the rootstock is going on its forth year whereas the tops are going on their third year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePerfect for those in Montana, the Dakotas, interior Canada, and any area with harsh winters and short seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503453409346,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503453507650,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134365360194,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134365392962,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-sensation-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"ribstonpippin","title":"Ribston Pippin Cider Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePerhaps the most famous apple variety from Yorkshire, England, Ribston Pippin was a Victorian favorite prized for its strong, aromatic flavor. It remains a standout for fresh eating and cider, with a rich history and excellent character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLuke’s 2023 Tasting Notes (Missoula Harvest)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Honey flavor with hints of grape. Dense apple with an interesting woody texture that makes you continually want more. Decent acidity and good sweetness. Medium thickness in terms of the skin.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is one of our favorite apples for fresh eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeyed, with subtle grape notes; aromatic and complex\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense with a unique, slightly woody bite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin: \u003c\/strong\u003eYellow, flushed orange, streaked red, with russeting at the base and apex\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest after:\u003c\/strong\u003e A month or so of storage to reach full flavor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent for fresh eating, culinary applications, and sweet-sharp hard or soft cider\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHeritage \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eRibston Pippin is most likely the parent of Cox's Orange Pippin, one of the world’s most famous apple varieties. It’s a classic example of English heirloom apples bred for complexity and depth of flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFairly hardy, but not among our most cold-hardy apples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eLikely hardy to about -40°F, but may struggle in parts of Eastern Montana where temperatures drop below that\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGrafted onto Bud 118, a super-hardy semi-dwarf rootstock, which adds resilience and size control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eImage Credit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Markus Hagenlocher under CC 3.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134529167426,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45134529200194,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (1 Year Older)","offer_id":42504516796482,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ribston-pippin-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"staghorn-sumac-bundle-of-3","title":"Staghorn Sumac (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWhen a friend from Jordan asked me why we weren’t growing sumac—considering how excellent of a spice it makes—I had no good reason. After learning that it’s hardy to Zone 2 and fairly easy to grow, we acquiesced and started growing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eA Striking, Hardy Shrub\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThe colony-forming smooth sumac is a 10–20 ft. shrub with short, crooked, leaning trunks and picturesque branches. Its deciduous leaves become extremely colorful in early fall, and female plants produce yellow-green flowers followed by bright-red, hairy berries with excellent culinary value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSo Many Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThe fruit of sumac can be used as a spice rub for venison, beef, chicken, and more. It can also be soaked and washed in cold water, strained, sweetened, and made into a pink \"lemonade\"—sometimes called \"Indian lemonade.\" The drink extract can even be used to make jelly. The shoots can be peeled and eaten raw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThe leaves and berries of staghorn sumac have historically been mixed with tobacco and other herbs and smoked by Native American tribes—a practice that still continues to a small degree today. Some beekeepers even use dried sumac bobs as fuel for their smokers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold-Hardy and Easy to Grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to Zone 2. Plants are currently 2–3 feet tall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535405420610,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/staghorn-sumac-fruit-cluster.webp?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"stanley-plum","title":"Stanley Plum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStanley is a classic European plum valued for its dependable productivity, versatile fruit, and adaptability across a wide range of climates. It is best known as a high-quality fresh eating plum, but also well  known as a prune plum (perhaps after Italian). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe tried Stanley for the first time from one of Doug Hawes-Davis' trees in Missoula. They are reminiscent of an Italian, although a little bit sweeter. Some growers note that they also make excellent wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile some sources list Stanley as a Zone 5 plum, our experience suggests it is better suited to Zone 4. It has survived significant early fall frosts at our nursery, including temperatures down to −10°F on October 26, 2020, indicating an ability to handle colder conditions than often reported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our experience in western Montana, Stanley is a solid Zone 4 plum. However, if you are in an area that regularly sees temperatures below −30°F (and certainly anything colder than -35F), we recommend planting some of the hardier plums we offer instead. These include Asian × American hybrids such as Toka, Pipestone, Underwood, and Kuban Delight, as well as very hardy European plums like Northern Blue, La Crescent, Ptitsin #5, and Mount Royal, all of which can tolerate −40°F and possibly colder when well sited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStanley performs best in protected locations, away from frost pockets and strong winds. Sites with nearby structures or pavement that provide additional warmth and shelter tend to be especially favorable if you are in an area that can see -30F or colder (probably wouldn't make it past -35F). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor best fruit set, plant Stanley with Italian, Northern Blue, La Crescent, Ptitsin #5, or Mount Royal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTree Size \u0026amp; Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese trees are approximately 5–7 ft tall and are grafted onto Lovell full-size rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42504938618946,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 more branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42504938651714,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger Grade (Fiber Potted): Not for shipping","offer_id":42751572869186,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/stanley-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"trailman-crab","title":"Trailman Applecrab","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1973, Trailman is a cold-hardy apple crab that consistently produces heavy crops of small, orange-peach-colored fruits (1–1.5” in size). It’s a cross between Trail and Osman, and one of the best-performing applecrabs we've seen for extreme northern climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDon’t let the size fool you—Trailman packs a punch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSweet with a bold tart kick – might be a bit much for some early on, but if left to ripen longer, it mellows into a sweeter, nuttier profile\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHas a flavor somewhat similar to Chestnut Crab (although more flavorful and less sweet) with a nice crunch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLikely a great addition to hard cider blends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSurvived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard near Bozeman in 2024 with zero damage. Alaska Fruit Trees lists it as one of their hardiest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEstimated hardiness: -50°F to -60°F, making it ideal for extreme cold climates in zone 2 and even protected zone 1 sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRootstock Info\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, these trees are one year older and grafted onto Dolgo and Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42507281236034,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42507281334338,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42507281268802,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/trailman-applecrab-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"wolf-river-apple","title":"Wolf River Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWolf River originated as a chance seedling in Wisconsin, dating back to at least 1875. It quickly gained a reputation for its massive fruit size, making it one of the largest apples we’ve seen growing in Montana—second only to Spokane Beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGreat for fresh eating, but especially valued for its rich, fluffy apple butter, which develops beautifully after slow cooking for hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eA true old-fashioned apple that shines in both flavor and function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to -50F or more, Wolf River does exceptionally well even east of the Continental Divide, where conditions are colder, drier, and windier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor more on its Montana performance, check out research from the Western Ag Research Center in the Bitterroot Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Tree Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGrafted onto Spy 227 rootstock, a full size rootstock hardy to -50F or colder, as well as Bud 118. For \u003cspan\u003eBud 118, a practical spacing range is 14–18 feet between trees, depending on how hard you plan to prune for size control and how vigorous your site is. In richer soils or irrigated ground, wider spacing reduces shading and improves airflow; in leaner soils with consistent pruning, spacing can be somewhat tighter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eImage courtesy of WARC\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45144728010818,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":43017173467202,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45144728043586,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42511539437634,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/wolf-river-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789021327"},{"product_id":"zestar-apple","title":"Zestar!® Apple","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eZestar! is another standout from the University of Minnesota, bred from a cross of State Fair x MN 1691. An early to mid-season apple, it ripens in late August to early September at Benson’s Farm in Missoula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eCrunchy, subacid, and pleasantly spiced—with a hint of cinnamon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOnly tried fresh so far, but we love the refreshing snap and complex flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOne of the best-storing summer apples we’ve grown—holds up over two months in the fridge without turning mealy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to -40F, and possibly -45F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eUse caution in regions colder than that—this variety may not hold up in Zone 2 or colder pockets without protection. Zestar! and many other University of Minnesota apples do not shut down early enough in time in the Fall for Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway, MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Growing Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Zestar! onto the full size Spy 227. These were actually grafted in 2025 and will have been growing for two years before the time of fulfillment in Spring 2027. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpy 227 rootstock produces a standard size tree. At maturity, they require spacing of approximately 18–20 feet between trees. With intensive pruning and canopy management, closer spacing may be possible, while wider spacing can improve airflow and light penetration in humid or disease-prone sites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42511547990082,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45145048514626,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ZestarApplesinaFruitBasket.jpg?v=1789671194"},{"product_id":"belle-de-boskoop-aple","title":"Belle de Boskoop Apple","description":"\u003cp\u003eBelle de Boskoop is a large, tart, heirloom apple that originated in Boskoop, Netherlands, in 1856. Recognized for its rustic greenish-yellow skin with red blush and russeting, it has firm, crisp, aromatic flesh with high acidity. This makes it an outstanding all-purpose apple—excellent for pies, cakes, and strudels, prized in cider blends, and sharp but enjoyable fresh if you like a tangy flavor. A superb keeper, its flavor mellows and improves in storage over several months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is vigorous, heavy-bearing, and some have reported showing a good resistance to scab and canker. It is triploid, requiring a compatible mid-blooming pollenizer, and ripens late in the season. Hardy to zone 4, will liekly do well in most places in Western Montana. Likely wouldn't survive in areas that experience below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: this is the first year we’re growing Belle de Boskoop in Montana, so our notes are based on trusted secondhand sources rather than firsthand experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Sandstein\"\u003eImage courtesy of Wikimedia user Sandstein\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45124784652354,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/belle-de-boskoop-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"blue-pearmain-apple","title":"Blue Pearmain Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"12\"\u003eIntro\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"229\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is new to us, and all information so far is second-hand. We obtained our scionwood for bench grafting from Tim Makepeace in 2025, and we will update this description as our own trees mature in Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"242\"\u003eHistory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"244\" data-end=\"609\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is an early-19th-century American heirloom from New England. Its own parentage isn’t documented, but it became well known in the Northeast for its distinctive appearance and dependable cropping. DNA work by the Maine Heritage Orchard identifies Blue Pearmain, crossed with Hunt Russet, as a parent of Black Oxford, the Paris, Maine seedling found around 1790. It was grown widely enough to make it into English collections by the late 1800s and was notable enough to be mentioned by Thoreau in his writings on apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"629\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"949\"\u003eThe fruit is large, round, and noticeably weighty, with deep purplish skin covered in a natural bluish bloom—the trait that gives it the name “Blue Pearmain.” The flesh is firm, slightly coarse, and aromatic, with a rich, sweet-to-subacid flavor that lends itself well to fresh eating, late-season desserts, and cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"1057\"\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"978\"\u003elate-ripening\u003c\/strong\u003e variety, generally coloring up and finishing in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1038\"\u003eOctober\u003c\/strong\u003e in cooler regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"267\" data-end=\"310\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Performance in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"690\"\u003eOn paper, Blue Pearmain is rated as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"365\"\u003eUSDA Zone 4\u003c\/strong\u003e apple. Zone 4 covers a fairly wide range of minimum temperatures (from \u003cstrong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"461\"\u003e–20°F down to –30°F\u003c\/strong\u003e) averaged across a 30-year climate period. Because “Zone 4” blends both 4a and 4b, the practical midpoint of that range is roughly \u003cstrong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"603\"\u003e–25°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, but herein lies the limitation with USDA ratings. This rating describes an \u003cem data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"759\"\u003eaverage\u003c\/em\u003e annual extreme, not the absolute coldest temperature of an area. A once-in-a-generation cold event can push well below the zone rating, and the USDA map can’t predict how a specific variety will respond when that happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003eTo be conservative, and until we observe real-world Montana performance, we expect Blue Pearmain to withstand –35°F as an absolute extreme. Its hardiness shows in its offspring: Black Oxford, a Blue Pearmain seedling, came through –38°F on Rod McIver's farm in Kalispell, Montana without any winter injury, and a parent that throws a seedling that tough is worth trusting in a cold valley. Blue Pearmain will likely do well in most of the valleys of Western Montana, but should not be planted east of the divide in Montana (with the exception of warmer microclimates of the warmer valleys near Billings).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of National Fruit Collection, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brogdale\" class=\"extiw\" title=\"w:Brogdale\"\u003eBrogdale\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45124848353346,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":45124848386114,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":42498927034434,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/blue-pearmain-apple-fruit-cut.jpg?v=1789019221"},{"product_id":"glocken-apfel-apple","title":"Glockenapfel Apple","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"231\"\u003eThis is the first year we have grown Glockenapfel, and we have not yet tasted the fruit or observed its long-term behavior under Montana conditions, so the information below should be considered secondhand rather than experiential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"247\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"711\"\u003eFrom the research we have done in creating this description, as well as from what we have read about the variety, Glockenapfel (also known as Weißer Winterglockenapfel and related regional names) is an old European winter apple of uncertain origin that was widely grown in parts of Central Europe. It was historically valued as a true storage apple, prized for keeping quality and for developing flavor after harvest rather than being eaten straight off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"739\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003eFrom what we have read, Glockenapfel is a versatile apple used for fresh eating after storage, baking, cooking, and juice or cider in traditional settings. Apparently, the fruit improves significantly with storage, with flavor becoming fuller and more balanced over time, which is characteristic of classic winter apples. It has been described as more useful than flashy, with strengths in reliability and post-harvest performance rather than immediate dessert appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1230\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1746\"\u003eBased on available cultivar descriptions and regional trial notes, Glockenapfel is generally described as winter-hardy and frost-tolerant. Multiple sources suggest survival down to approximately −33°C (around −27°F). This places it as a mildly cold-hardy apple, but not an extreme cold survivor in the −40°F or colder class. Applied to Montana, it appears best suited to milder sites, such as many Zone 5 areas and protected Zone 4b microclimates, rather than the coldest Zone 3 locations. Therefore, it could be grown in the best microclimates (up on a bench\/out of frost pooling zones) within the warmest Montana Valleys west of the divide: Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Flathead Valley, Jocko, Lower Kootenai, Mission, Missoula, and Upper Flathead \/ North Fork\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1748\" data-end=\"1775\"\u003eOther Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1776\" data-end=\"2266\"\u003eApparently excellent storage ability, often keeping well into late winter or early spring under proper conditions. It also has historical significance in apple breeding, having been used as a parent in later cultivars such as Gloster. Reports generally describe moderate disease pressure, with some susceptibility to scab and canker, and better performance on fertile, well-managed soils with adequate moisture rather than thin or drought-prone sites (although since this is grafted onto Bud 118, which seems fairly drought tolerant, not sure why sources site this given rootstock choice would matter more).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499090939970,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/glockenapfel-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020067"},{"product_id":"golden-russet-apple","title":"Golden Russet Apple","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the newer apples we have begun growing, and while our long-term experience in Montana is still developing, both historical accounts and early local observations point to Golden Russet as an exceptional and resilient apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet is a historic American apple with a long lineage in the United States, documented as early as the early 1800s. William Coxe described it in 1817 as one of the finest apples in New Jersey in the autumn and early winter months. A.J. Downing, writing in his 1845 edition of \u003cem\u003eFruit Trees of America\u003c\/em\u003e, praised it as one of the most delicious and tender apples, noting that its flesh resembles the buttery texture of a pear more than that of an ordinary apple. Though neither large nor visually striking, it became widely cultivated in New England and the western states due to its productivity and exceptional flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet produces medium-sized, fully russeted fruit with dense, crisp flesh and very high sugar content. The flavor is rich, sweet, and complex, often described as honeyed or nutty. It is truly an all-purpose apple, well suited for fresh eating, culinary use, cider, jelly, juice, pies, sauce, and drying. It is also one of the best keeping apples, commonly storing for up to five months, and often remaining excellent in flavor even after the skin has begun to shrivel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet has weathered intense cold snaps in the Bitterroot Valley without showing signs of winter injury. Trees in this area experienced mid-winter lows approaching −40°F on January 12, 2024 and came through without apparent damage. While Golden Russet is often listed more conservatively in terms of hardiness, these observations suggest it is hardy to roughly −40°F, although any colder than that would be experimental. It is a solid zone 3 apple, although growers in the coldest places should look to the many other cold hardy apples we offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet has long been prized for its productivity and storage ability, as well as its value in cider making, where its high sugar levels produce rich, full-bodied cider. While it is one of the newer apples we have grown locally, its historical reputation and early performance in Montana, particularly the more mild Western part of the state, suggest it has potential as a fairly cold-hardy, high-quality apple for northern growers. However, it would not be in the top class of hardy apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by George Gruenfeld\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45125959680066,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42499178266690,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-russet-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"goodland-apple","title":"Goodland Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"486\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eGoodland Apple is a cold-climate variety developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba, Canada, introduced in the 1940s–1950s, and originating as a seedling of Patten Greening. It has been grown and evaluated in extremely cold continental climates where its primary value has been reliability and survival rather than refined dessert quality. In Montana, our own observations place Goodland among the more hardy apple varieties we grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"508\" data-start=\"488\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1112\" data-start=\"509\"\u003eBased on our observations in Montana, Goodland stands out as exceptionally cold tolerant. Trees have survived winter lows not only into the −40°F range but even approaching\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e−50°F. At those extremes, some winter injury was observed, but importantly, the damage did not progress into the trunk and trees recovered just fine. It should be considered a true Zone 3 and even certainly zone 2b and 2a with some damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1140\" data-start=\"1114\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1633\" data-start=\"1141\"\u003eGoodland produces medium-sized apples with firm flesh and a straightforward, mildly sweet to balanced flavor. It is not typically described as a high-end dessert apple, but it is very serviceable and dependable. The fruit is well suited for fresh eating for those who appreciate simple, classic apple flavor, and it performs especially well for sauce, baking, drying, and general kitchen use. Farmer Fred at Green Bench Orchard in Missoula sells out of all his Goodland apples every year. Its consistency and utility have made it a practical apple in northern homestead and farm settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1665\" data-start=\"1635\"\u003eRipening Time in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1934\" data-start=\"1666\"\u003eIn Montana conditions, Goodland ripens mid season. This means that in most years in Missoula, we can expect to see a crop 1st or second week of September depending on the year and site. For cooler places in eastern Montana, you can expect second to third week or Sept. It reliably reaches maturity within the growing season, even in shorter-season locations, which contributes to its usefulness in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1962\" data-start=\"1936\"\u003eGrowth \u0026amp; Reliability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2344\" data-start=\"1963\"\u003eWhile it may not match newer cultivars for cosmetic appeal or complex flavor, its combination of extreme cold hardiness, dependable cropping, and broad utility makes it a valuable apple for northern growers, especially those prioritizing survival and reliability over refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The apple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45125964693570,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft. Bud grafts on 2 yr older rootstock","offer_id":42499182657602,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125964726338,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125964759106,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499182723138,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/goodland-apple-fruit-cut.png?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"lodi-apple","title":"Lodi Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"259\" data-end=\"273\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eLodi is an early-season apple similar in many ways to its dominant parent, Yellow Transparent, and is best known as an early cooking and sauce apple, though it can also be eaten fresh if you appreciate a sharper early apple. We prefer Lodi as a substitute for Yellow Transparent due to its improved resistance to fire blight (as observed in Montana).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"812\" data-end=\"837\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"838\" data-end=\"1204\"\u003eLodi originated from a controlled cross of Yellow Transparent × Montgomery, with Yellow Transparent clearly expressing as the dominant parent. The cross was made in 1911, and the cultivar was formally introduced in 1924 by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. It was developed to improve on Yellow Transparent while retaining its early-season utility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1232\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1233\" data-end=\"1720\"\u003eLodi produces a reliable, extra-early crop of large green to yellow-green apples with a sharp, subacid profile. It excels for cooking, applesauce, pies, and other kitchen uses where early apples are prized. While claims that Lodi produces larger, firmer, or longer-keeping fruit than the mother plant (Yellow Transparent) are difficult to validate here, its combination of disease resistance and abundant, early cooking apples makes Lodi a serious contender in northern kitchen orchards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1750\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1995\"\u003eThe tree is vigorous and productive. Final spacing depends on rootstock and training system, but as a practical baseline, plan for approximately 15 ft. spacing for trees on Bud 118 rootstock (12 ft. for tighter spacing\/more pruning), and 18-20 ft. on full size rootstock (possibly even tighter with Spring and maybe some summer pruning).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1997\" data-end=\"2014\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2015\" data-end=\"2172\"\u003eLodi is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination from another apple variety with overlapping bloom, following standard apple pollination requirements. Consider early season apples as pollenizers, such as Zestar!, Norda, Norkent, Norson, Carroll, Dearborn's Unknown, Yellow Transparent, Pristine, or even some of our applecrabs, such as Martha, Rescue, Kerr, Trailman, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2194\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2561\"\u003eLodi is hardy to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2212\" data-end=\"2221\"\u003e−45°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, according to the legendary Montana horticulturalist, pomologist, and nurseryman Roger Joy of Corvallis, Montana. While many mainstream sources list Lodi more conservatively, this firsthand regional knowledge places it among the hardiest early apples available and helps explain its long-standing reliability in cold northern climates. This also tracks given its parentage. Yellow Transparent is hardy to -50°F more, which is where it gets its hardiness. Lodi is a solid zone 2b, possibly even 2a.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500854218818,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42500854317122,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133901725762,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/lodi-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"norda-apple","title":"Norda Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda is a Canadian-bred cold-climate apple introduced in 1976 and developed for far-northern regions. It’s valued for reliable production under harsh conditions, early ripening, and respectable fresh-eating quality with moderate storage for a summer apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda was developed in Canada as part of northern apple breeding, selected at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1976 through Agriculture Canada’s Beaverlodge Research Station near Grande Prairie, Alberta. It belongs to the group of apples bred for cold climates and northern plantings, where reliable fruiting and winter survival are priorities. The accepted parentage for Norda is Rosilda × Trail, reflecting its heritage from these two hardy apple cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda is a small-to-medium apple with a red blush or striping, crisp flesh, and good flavor for a very hardy apple, with a reputation for being a good keeper among cold-climate summer apple varieties. It’s typically positioned as a dual-purpose apple (fresh plus kitchen), especially in northern contexts where flavor is often traded for survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda is vigorous to moderately vigorous with an upright-spreading habit, and relatively precocious. Spacing depends on rootstock, but a practical baseline is 12–15 ft on semi-dwarf systems and 18–20+ ft on more vigorous or standard systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda needs another apple variety that blooms at the same time. Any compatible apple cultivar that overlaps bloom can serve as a pollenizer, including some other apples varieties we offer, and varieties of applecrabs\/crabapple. Some examples include Norkent, Norson, Norland, Dearborn's Unknown, Zestar!, Lodi, Prairie Sensation, September Ruby as well as some applecrabs including Chestnut, Kerr, Trailman, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Alaska-oriented sources, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/alaskafruittrees\/home\/apples\/norda\"\u003esuch as this one here,\u003c\/a\u003e it is described as moderately hardy relative to the very hardiest apples for Alaska, and they not that it may not be hardy enough for interior Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda has survived −47°F in multiple winters in Gallatin Gateway, Montana for Ed Schultz with no winter injury. That said, this was in the wee of of a morning. Can it withstand these cold temps for extended periods of time? This may be where there have been some reports on Norda not doing as well in some parts of interior Alaska. Site selection therefore for Norda must be considered (avoid depressions or areas prone to frost pooling). Plant in a spot uphill or where there is good frost drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would list Norda as a zone 2 apple, good for about everywhere in Montana, even some of the coldest places east of the divide. But again, if we're talking hardy for some of the coldest places in interior Alaska, look to some others such as Norland, Norkent, Norson, (of the Nor-series we are offering for 2027), Dearborn's Unknown, Rescue, Trailman, Chestnut, and Dolgo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The crabapple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385434690,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42502385500226,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385205314,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385270850,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134046330946,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/norda-apple-fruit-cut.png?v=1789020679"},{"product_id":"norland-apple","title":"Norland Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorland is a prairie-bred, early-season apple developed for very cold climates. It is known for being naturally smaller growing, often described as a genetic semi-dwarf, as well as precocious and reliably productive. Norland was bred specifically to perform in regions with short growing seasons (it's a summer apple) and extreme winter cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorland was developed by Dr. C. R. Ure for the Prairie Fruit Breeding Cooperative at Agriculture Canada’s Morden Research Station in Morden, Manitoba. Its parentage is commonly given as Rescue × Red Melba. It was introduced in the late 1970s and is often listed as having been released in 1979.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorland produces small to medium-sized fruit that ripens early, often in early August. It is typically used as an early dessert and cooking apple. Prairie-region notes frequently emphasize that Norland has surprisingly good fruit quality given its level of cold hardiness and early ripening window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees have an upright-spreading growth habit and are moderately vigorous, but are often described as rarely exceeding about 15 feet in height due to their naturally dwarfing tendency, even on full size rootstock. A practical spacing is about 15 ft. for Bud 118, and perhaps a little more for Dolgo just to be safe, even with Norland's naturally dwarfing vigor regardless of rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorland is not self-fertile and needs another apple variety that blooms at the same time. Any compatible apple cultivar that overlaps bloom can serve as a pollenizer, including several other apple varieties we offer, as well as applecrabs and crabapples. Examples include Norkent, Norson, Norda, Dearborn’s Unknown, Zestar!, Lodi, Prairie Sensation, September Ruby, and applecrabs such as Chestnut, Kerr, Trailman, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorland has survived −47°F in multiple winters in Gallatin Gateway, Montana for Ed Schultz with no winter injury. That said, these temperatures occurred briefly in the early hours of the morning. Whether Norland can withstand such extreme cold for extended durations is less certain. Because of this, site selection is important. Avoid low-lying areas prone to frost pooling and favor uphill locations or sites with good cold-air drainage. We would list Norland as a solid Zone 2 apple, suitable for nearly all of Montana, including some of the coldest areas east of the Continental Divide. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42502625001538,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118: Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42502625067074,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134150697026,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/norland-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"prairie-spy-apple","title":"Prairie Spy Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"613\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"902\"\u003ePrairie Spy is a cold-climate apple valued for its late-ripening fruit, strong storage qualities, and reliable performance in northern regions. It is often compared to Northern Spy types for its keeping ability and structure, but with improved suitability for colder continental climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"929\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eDeveloped in 1943 under the name Minnesota 1007 at the University of Minnesota's Fruit Breeding Farm in Excelsior, Minnesota (U.S.A.). Released in 1940. Likely an open pollinated seedling of \u003ca class=\"standard apple-link\" data-apple-id=\"8188\" href=\"https:\/\/pomiferous.com\/applebyname\/northern-spy-id-8188\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Northern Spy \u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003eThe fruit is typically large, firm, and tart, with flavor that improves notably after storage. Luke really liked it when he tried it at Bob's Purvis' for the first time back in 2022. It had been in storage, however, and Bob noted that the flavor is bland off the tree but that it improves markedly in storage. Great keeper. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1707\"\u003eRipening Window\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1942\"\u003ePrairie Spy ripens late in the season, generally in the fall, and benefits from full maturity to develop its best flavor and storage potential. In colder regions, this makes good site selection and sufficient growing season important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1972\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003eTrees are generally vigorous with a traditional apple growth habit. Standard apple spacing based on rootstock applies, with wider spacing helpful for airflow and long-term tree health in colder, more humid spring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2216\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2408\"\u003ePrairie Spy is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination. Any compatible apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom will work, making it easy to pair within a mixed cold-climate orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2410\" data-end=\"2430\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2431\" data-end=\"2693\"\u003eHardy to at least -40F making it a solid zone 3 apple. However, Ed Schultz noted that his Prairie Spy did not shut down at his location in Gallatin Gateway, which resulted in the tree succumbing to winter injury from severe early fall frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503529365570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-spy-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"red-wealthy-apple","title":"Red Wealthy Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Wealthy is a cold-climate American apple with bright, classic “old orchard” flavor, known for its hardiness and for ripening early enough to succeed in a shorter growing season (may still not be short enough for some growers in AK). A good mid season apples (in Missoula, MT), ‘Wealthy’ was planted all over Montana over 100 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWealthy was developed in Minnesota by horticulturalist Peter M. Gideon, with the cultivar first grown\/introduced in 1868 after years of failed attempts to grow standard apples in Minnesota’s winters. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mnhs.org\/mnopedia\/search\/index\/thing\/wealthy-apple\" title=\"Wealthy apple | MNopedia\"\u003eMinnesota Historical Society\u003c\/a\u003e) It became an important milestone apple for the Upper Midwest because it proved that quality dessert and cooking apples could be grown reliably in cold continental climates. “Red Wealthy” is a sport of selected for improved red coloration and later keeping. Recent genetic fingerprinting has revealed that it’s actually a cross between ‘Duchess of Oldenburg’ and ‘Jonathan’, which makes sense given its look-a-like with ‘Duchess’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Wealthy is a medium-sized, bright red apple with juicy flesh and a lively sweet–tart balance, making it a strong dual-purpose apple for fresh eating and kitchen use (sauce, pies, baking). This is the same “Wealthy-style” profile long associated with the original cultivar in cold-region orchards. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWealthy is a mid-season apple in Missoula, MT. in 2025, Farmer Fred at Green Bench Orchard had Wealthy on the trees and ready to be picked from Sept. 4th-Sept. 18th. This window shifts on a year to year basis, but this was pretty early for them in 2025. We wouldn't say this is a late apple for us, though, in Missoula. Curious if Wealthy could ripen in time in places like Anchorage (if any growers in Anchorage are reading this, let us know).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWealthy is widely grown in heritage orchards as a reasonably vigorous, durable tree. Spacing on Dolgo (what we currently offer) is in the 18-20 ft. range. Tighter spacing could be applied for a more intensive pruning regiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Wealthy (like Wealthy) is not self-fertile and needs a different apple variety nearby for reliable fruit set. As a diploid apple, it also provides viable pollen to other diploid apples when bloom overlaps. Examples we offer of what to plant with Red Wealthy for cross pollination include: McIntosh, Kerr, Honeycrisp, Haralson, Frostbite, Freedom, and Chestnut\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoing off of Wealthy's hardiness, Red wealthy is a solid zone 3 apple and should survive at least down to -40F. From our Montana observations and grower reports: Bruce Benson’s Red\/Wealthy-type trees reportedly withstood -30°F-range events in Missoula back in the 1980s without winter injury and are still going strong today. There are also reports from the coldest parts of the Bitterroot (colder microclimates around Stevensville and Hamilton) of Wealthy-type trees seeing near -40°F and appearing fine afterward. That said, we do not yet have solid, well-documented evidence in our network of this variety surviving cleanly well into the -40s or -50s (it may be capable, but we’re not going to claim this without better documentation). Zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":42503841382466,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42503841415234,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-wealthy-apple-on-tree.png?v=1789020871"},{"product_id":"roxbury-russett-apple","title":"Roxbury Russett Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: \u003cem\u003eThis is a new variety for us, so the information below is based on historical pomological sources and grower reports rather than our own long-term, first-hand experience.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet is widely regarded as the oldest named apple cultivar in North America, long valued for its durability, storability, and distinctive russeted fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet originated in Massachusetts and is documented in cultivation by the mid-1600s, making it a foundational apple of early colonial orchards. It was grown extensively throughout New England for centuries, not because it was flashy or early, but because it reliably produced fruit that could be stored and eaten deep into winter. Its longevity in American orchards speaks to both its resilience and its practical value in a pre-refrigeration world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is medium-sized with heavy, rough russeting over greenish-gold skin. Flesh is firm, dense, and mildly sweet with a nutty, earthy, almost pear-like flavor that develops and improves noticeably after storage. Roxbury Russet has historically been prized as a winter keeper, excelling for fresh eating after a period of storage, as well as for baking and cider. It is not typically an apple meant for immediate eating at harvest, but rather one that rewards patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are typically vigorous, long-lived, and spreading, especially on standard rootstocks. Like many very old cultivars, Roxbury Russet can be slower to come into bearing compared to modern apples, but it compensates with durability and longevity. Spacing on Dolgo rootstock (what we currently offer) is in the 18-20 ft. range. Tighter spacing could be applied for a more intensive pruning regiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet is not self-fertile and requires a compatible apple pollenizer with overlapping bloom. As a diploid apple, it both requires and provides viable pollen and fits well into mixed plantings with other mid-season blooming apples. Examples of what could cross with Roxbury Russet includes the following: 9-22 End, Alexander, Arkansas Black, Ashmead’s Kernel, Blue Pearmain, Brown Snout, Cortland, Crimson Beauty, Empire, Freedom, Frostbite, KinderKrisp, McIntosh, MN 1628, Northern Spy, Paula Red, Pristine, Spartan, Chestnut, Centennial, Martha, Rescue, Trailman\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommonly reported as a zone 4 apple, there are anecdotal online claims of survival to colder temperatures, sometimes as low as the -40°F range, but we have not confirmed this. For now, until we have more experience with it, we are listing it as hardy to -30F, and therefore for Montana growers, should just be grown in the warmest valleys of western MT. These are: Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Flathead, Jocko, Lower Kootenai, Mission, Missoula, and Upper Flathead \/ North Fork. For Eastern MT, could possibly work in Billings and the surrounding warmer microclimates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42504523776066,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/roxbury-russet-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"spokane-beauty-apple","title":"Spokane Beauty Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty is a historic Inland Northwest heritage apple valued for its exceptional fruit size, attractive red striping, and strong performance in cold continental climates. It is a dual-purpose dessert and culinary apple long recognized for producing very large fruit with excellent flavor and dependable productivity. The variety became one of the few apple cultivars from eastern Washington to achieve regional notoriety and commercial recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty originated in Walla Walla, Washington in the mid-1800s as a chance seedling grown from planted apple pips by settler Stephen Maxson. Its exact parentage is unknown and has never been definitively identified. The seedling was later introduced and promoted by the Maxson family and became known as Spokane Beauty after being exhibited regionally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variety quickly gained recognition when it was presented at the Spokane Fruit Fair, where it won first-place ribbons in both 1895 and 1896. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries it became one of the most notable apple varieties originating from eastern Washington and was widely planted throughout the Inland Northwest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty reflects the early homesteading era of fruit growing in the Pacific Northwest, when orchardists planted seeds and selected exceptional seedlings capable of surviving harsh continental winters. Because apples do not grow true from seed, Spokane Beauty represents a unique genetic individual preserved through grafting since its discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty produces very large to extremely large apples, sometimes reaching extraordinary size and weight compared to most dessert apples. The fruit is round to slightly irregular, with a pale green to yellow base color covered by bright red striping or blush. The flesh is white, crisp, firm, and juicy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we first tried these apples on Rod McIver’s farm in Kalispell, MT in the Fall of 2023 the first thing we noticed was their massive size. Thinking that the flavor was likely going to be watered down, this was exactly the opposite experience. The flavor was excellent. Good sweetness, with a nice touch of acidity, the apple had a very pleasant lemon flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is excellent for fresh eating and also performs well for baking, drying, sauce, and juice. It holds shape well when cooked and stores for roughly three to four months under proper storage conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are vigorous and upright to spreading with strong structural growth. Spokane Beauty is a tip-bearing variety that produces fruit on terminal shoots and tends toward annual cropping with proper management. It is known for early productivity, strong vigor, and reliable performance in colder orchard regions. Fruit thinning is often beneficial due to its tendency toward heavy crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Spokane Beauty on Budagovsky 118 rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118, trees should be spaced about 15 feet apart. For tighter plantings, spacing can be reduced to 12 feet apart. For wider spacing in fertile soils or lower-density systems, trees can be spaced up to 18 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike almost all apples, Spokane Beauty is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination from another apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom. It is diploid and blooms in the mid-season apple bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable pollenizers include any genetically distinct mid-season blooming Malus domestica or Malus crabapple. From our offerings, this includes McIntosh, Spartan, Kerr, Trailman, Goodland, Liberty, Wealthy, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty is highly adapted to cold continental climates. It is at least hardy to at least −35°F without winter injury, as shown on Rod McIver’s farm from the −35°F event his property experienced on January 13, 2024 in Kalispell, MT off of Rose Crossing. At least zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty is notable for its unusually large fruit size, with some specimens historically recorded at extremely large weights compared to standard apples. It was also selected as a parent for later cultivars and sports, including the large-fruited Stark Jumbo strain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variety is susceptible to apple scab and powdery mildew and benefits from standard orchard disease management. Despite this, it has remained valued as a hardy regional heirloom that represents the seedling-selection tradition of early Northwestern orchardists and the development of locally adapted cold-climate fruit genetics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReference Plate (w\/ cm grid) Image: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The apple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42504710488130,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/spokane-beauty-apple-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"yates-apple","title":"Yates Apple","description":"\u003cp\u003eDescription coming soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42511541239874,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/yates-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789021379"},{"product_id":"williams-pride-apple","title":"William's Pride Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3133\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3610\"\u003eWilliam’s Pride is an early-season apple from the PRI (Purdue–Rutgers–Illinois) disease-resistant breeding program, grown for its combination of attractive dark red fruit, crisp texture for an early apple, and unusually strong disease resistance compared with many classic summer varieties. Reliable choice for growers who a quality fresh eating apple in regions where apple scab and rust pressure can be an ongoing issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3612\" data-end=\"3684\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3685\" data-end=\"3991\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride was developed through the PRI cooperative apple breeding program and was released in 1988. Its reported parentage is PRI 1018-101 × NJ 50. It was selected as part of a long-running effort to combine good fresh-eating quality with durable disease resistance, particularly against apple scab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3993\" data-end=\"4011\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4012\" data-end=\"4432\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride typically produces medium to medium-large apples with a deep red to purplish-red skin and cream-colored flesh. It ripens early (often in late July to early August in many growing regions), offering crisp, juicy fruit at a time when many early apples are softer or less complex. It’s best used for fresh eating, but it also performs well for baking and general kitchen use when harvested at peak maturity. One thing we have observed growing William's Pride in MT is that it keeps surprisingly well for an early apple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\"\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4453\" data-end=\"4844\"\u003eThe tree is vigorous, sturdy, and spreading with good branch structure. It tends to be a dependable grower for us in Missoula when trained and pruned like a standard dessert apple. Actually has a relatively extended bloom window compared with many early apples, which can help pollination and can sometimes improve odds of setting a crop in years with uneven spring weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4846\" data-end=\"4859\"\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4860\" data-end=\"5280\"\u003eOn Bud 118, a practical spacing range is 14–18 feet between trees, depending on how hard you plan to prune for size control and how vigorous your site is. In richer soils or irrigated ground, wider spacing reduces shading and improves airflow; in leaner soils with consistent pruning, spacing can be somewhat tighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5299\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5300\" data-end=\"5855\"\u003eShould be planted with another apple or crabapple that blooms at the same time to ensure consistent fruit set. Examples of what to plant with William's Pride include Pristine, Honeycrisp, all of our applecrabs, Dolgo, Dearbron's Unknown, Prairie Sensation, McIntosh, Yellow Transparent, Zestar!, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5857\" data-end=\"5877\"\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5878\" data-end=\"6620\"\u003eRod McIver's William's Pride in Kalispell came through the 1\/13\/24 arctic cold event, which saw -35°F, without winter injury. However, -35°F does not prove -40°F (or more) survival, and we do not yet have direct evidence of Williams’ Pride enduring -40°F. For that reason, we recommend it broadly for much of Western Montana, but for colder parts of Eastern Montana that can genuinely reach the -40°Fs, we recommend prioritizing apples with documented survival deeper into this range unless you are in one of the warmer eastern MT microclimates (such as Billings and the surrounding warmer valleys). Zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6639\"\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"6640\" data-end=\"7248\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride is scab-immune (or field-immune) and is resistant to cedar apple rust and powdery mildew, with resistance to fire blight often noted as well. As with any apple, resistance does not mean invincibility—especially for fire blight under high pressure—so good pruning practices, airflow, and balanced fertility still matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\"\u003eImage: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The apple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42511538651202,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/williams-pride-apple-fruit-cut.png?v=1789021327"},{"product_id":"martha-applecrab","title":"Martha Applecrab","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"8503\" data-end=\"8517\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8518\" data-end=\"8836\"\u003eMartha is an applecrab from Minnesota dating to the late 1800s, commonly associated with the work of Peter Gideon (the same Minnesota pioneer famous for the Wealthy apple). It’s grown because it’s hardy, reliable, and genuinely useful for fresh eating and cooking. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"8838\" data-end=\"8863\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8864\" data-end=\"9121\"\u003eEdible Crab, applecrab, crabapple. People have different names for Martha and given that we do not know exactly if it is a cross between a pure crab and a domesticated apple (unlike Kerr, which is Dolgo x Harlason), Rod and others we know in Montana refer to it as an applecrab. Its history goes back to the late 1800s, tied to Peter Gideon’s era of Minnesota fruit work. Formal parentage is not typically published in the references most growers use. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9123\" data-end=\"9149\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9150\" data-end=\"9444\"\u003eMartha is rose-red, about 2 inches across, with crisp, juicy, slightly yellow flesh and a sweet-tart flavor. The flavor is exceptional and life changing (see the story below!). It’s used for fresh eating, baking, sauce, jelly\/jam, and as an excellent addition to cider blends. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9446\" data-end=\"9474\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9475\" data-end=\"9745\"\u003eIt’s spreading\/open and productive. Spacing depends on rootstock and training, some of these are on Bud 118 and can be spaced 15 ft. apart. The full size Dolgo should be 20 ft. apart. Both rootstocks can be spaced tighter for a more intense spacing\/pruning regiment, or even further apart for a more lax approach.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9747\" data-end=\"9764\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9765\" data-end=\"9920\"\u003eAs with essentially all apples\/crabapples, cross-pollination improves fruit set. The list is long but some ideas to go with Martha include Trailman, Kerr, Chestnut, Rescue, Dearborn's Unknown, Mantet, Norland, Norson, Norda, Lodi, Yellow Transparent, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"9922\" data-end=\"9942\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"9943\" data-end=\"10196\"\u003eGiven Martha's success in which it saw no winter injury in Corvallis, MT that saw -38F on 1\/13\/24, Martha is at least hardy to -40F. It's certainly a zone 3a apple, and is likely hardy down to temps even colder, although we simply don't have this data yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFun Backstory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eOne of Luke's mentors, the late \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eRod McIver\u003c\/span\u003e, fell in love with fruit growing because of a single taste. When he was in his 50s, a friend from Oregon handed him a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACsm56CLUQm8PHnpjZJ64o3DU_-RxuYkckCIF9_OXtewTiiHf1d4yS1eX6AkYxH7zNslo9VBXsXd_IkCa8g-5SrMyjOAEYXetqr0XIEkCRbxBB7YD4IvWA-G8hg6_2eSrF-0Oq7sEMYsrWdQSu5ibdBWF6o3azLaDWRqCX8Ci2JTuyQmRZDktPtcuJ7bO7s5rs_WD8judVHVJtCGea7RzYBjDfHtLpOoULrRaDOvOKscnzuzE5P-rqjEnM1xg-_6EARbcjI2S4eubdYpblYS-4oPw9w7vCokh_rsOoF97kwRLdx8Is1dKpNzwLJqzTDI-ei03BGiv-FWyYgzM9L-LRXMpJmON4bheQEJxttZtXnYIhXsZh_t9nZ8zU5gtAXR3Ls_YeVsq9VHtOGsf3xBtUUwVuM96YktKVNirmDtEA-mMF43coPuZ4w3gK_YtcN0A9J5K-6YATipt2XDVjPct3VKzSi01pSX2QrvuNYQd0Fq7DLfZ6JhHjDH0H1m5bVIFxmJlthqq9jkEtIU_uKb9NedHoUsOzhxeQZRDHH_tg=\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACsm56CLUQm8PHnpjZJ64o3DU_-RxuYkckCIF9_OXtewTiiHf1d4yS1eX6AkYxH7zNslo9VBXsXd_IkCa8g-5SrMyjOAEYXetqr0XIEkCRbxBB7YD4IvWA-G8hg6_2eSrF-0Oq7sEMYsrWdQSu5ibdBWF6o3azLaDWRqCX8Ci2JTuyQmRZDktPtcuJ7bO7s5rs_WD8judVHVJtCGea7RzYBjDfHtLpOoULrRaDOvOKscnzuzE5P-rqjEnM1xg-_6EARbcjI2S4eubdYpblYS-4oPw9w7vCokh_rsOoF97kwRLdx8Is1dKpNzwLJqzTDI-ei03BGiv-FWyYgzM9L-LRXMpJmON4bheQEJxttZtXnYIhXsZh_t9nZ8zU5gtAXR3Ls_YeVsq9VHtOGsf3xBtUUwVuM96YktKVNirmDtEA-mMF43coPuZ4w3gK_YtcN0A9J5K-6YATipt2XDVjPct3VKzSi01pSX2QrvuNYQd0Fq7DLfZ6JhHjDH0H1m5bVIFxmJlthqq9jkEtIU_uKb9NedHoUsOzhxeQZRDHH_tg%3D\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw1rXZn2TL0fn8ZYk40hAKNz\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWickson crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e. The flavor floored him. Wanting to grow it but unable to find a nursery that carried it, he was told the only solution was to learn to graft. So he did. He found cuttings, grafted one successfully, waited four years, and when he finally tasted the fruit he said, in his southern drawl, “This ain’t the fruit I tried five years ago!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eThat started a decade-long quest. He gathered cuttings from near and far, trialed rootstocks, and devoured books. He didn't realize it at the time but he was falling in love with fruit growing and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AADghJHHwunoPHpr4vQW5PSUxHJOZ5HACNkIZTHmvNx_R9Qc-k9Dr6Sd-BWFsVtLzvRaBvzyuKYKoOyo_mCjzYqVSB1BdEf8DEgJafPQ3sbieI6TH9_zpr5PwvOxOtoYrzRHwCXGuB3IjOX5Czk1n8iXa48hCV0xGOW6g4LKuM1z-pt2wVVjmheDdmAjYs-iSRdQrKVLuCGiJKCY_O5QPr4iHjXamk5NvCc32edS5L7ITPfwasJU-SMoNG7IEKO0ELajqKeKzAQtKuzBCMxFxWmAYct9UT2FsvQL6BdtI5HBkKSVuehHM7X_\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AADghJHHwunoPHpr4vQW5PSUxHJOZ5HACNkIZTHmvNx_R9Qc-k9Dr6Sd-BWFsVtLzvRaBvzyuKYKoOyo_mCjzYqVSB1BdEf8DEgJafPQ3sbieI6TH9_zpr5PwvOxOtoYrzRHwCXGuB3IjOX5Czk1n8iXa48hCV0xGOW6g4LKuM1z-pt2wVVjmheDdmAjYs-iSRdQrKVLuCGiJKCY_O5QPr4iHjXamk5NvCc32edS5L7ITPfwasJU-SMoNG7IEKO0ELajqKeKzAQtKuzBCMxFxWmAYct9UT2FsvQL6BdtI5HBkKSVuehHM7X_\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw1D7LuwVvkJNcD2CfU7uprV\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epomology\u003c\/a\u003e (the science\/practice of growing fruit). Finally one late-summer evening, he plucked a tree ripened apple, took a bite, and shouted, “By God, I’ve found it. Martha!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eThat was the name of the apple he’d tried all those years earlier (and funny enough, the name of his eldest daughter!). Rod went on to have the largest \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACfyB2T7I3cMjlcPqDEm3QA7BdsHFABoUbY9fGzJ6Fs050mLek5YeDccIFYDS0xB1-kxTSVw9UhP320P9-qsg7BCuxaP2VQiFPqw5YOi7EnSvNf866rvKWEQquiWQ_LzaF32oJFzuL6AwBbHpLT1hn0mxOh3SBdQJo18SUtYzMShX4bq9A5a-ASQMF-t0LTEoSvzsYEJuZaoUSXD8NwReGHHAVL_Nc4zD4MPgAINNvSWql9GVnxOHILGTWy6OL5VFdciiquFMdntmiu3hJ3kfcbtTx-HT3tFIrXhwpLjXFq5DvQ2NKeBRv4Fg==\" style=\"color: rgb(0,0,0); text-decoration: underline;\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/_t\/c\/v3\/AACfyB2T7I3cMjlcPqDEm3QA7BdsHFABoUbY9fGzJ6Fs050mLek5YeDccIFYDS0xB1-kxTSVw9UhP320P9-qsg7BCuxaP2VQiFPqw5YOi7EnSvNf866rvKWEQquiWQ_LzaF32oJFzuL6AwBbHpLT1hn0mxOh3SBdQJo18SUtYzMShX4bq9A5a-ASQMF-t0LTEoSvzsYEJuZaoUSXD8NwReGHHAVL_Nc4zD4MPgAINNvSWql9GVnxOHILGTWy6OL5VFdciiquFMdntmiu3hJ3kfcbtTx-HT3tFIrXhwpLjXFq5DvQ2NKeBRv4Fg%3D%3D\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1768609171279000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw3D_qfrxqXbkHR6HK4cBI6F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003egermplasm\u003c\/a\u003e of fruit varieties in the whole state, and it all started with Martha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImages courtesy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/maineheritageorchard\/martha-crab\/\"\u003eMaine Organic Farmers and Gardeners\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Malus baccata Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45133920665666,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Malus baccata Full Size: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45133920698434,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500875714626,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/martha-applecrab-fruit.jpg?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"ure-pear","title":"Ure Pear","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUre is a prairie-proven, ultra-cold-hardy pear grown primarily for reliability in harsh climates, with small “Bartlett-type” fruit that can be genuinely enjoyable when picked mature and ripened off the tree. \\\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUre was introduced by the Morden, Manitoba Research Station in 1978.\u003cbr\u003eIn the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association write-up, Ure is explicitly described as an interspecific cross of \u003cem\u003ePyrus ussuriensis\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003ePyrus communis\u003c\/em\u003e, and it notes the cultivar was named after Frank Ure, a Canadian pear breeder. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apfga.org\/hardy-pears-comments-and-observations\/\" title=\"HARDY PEARS – COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS – Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\"\u003eAlaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is relatively small (about 2–2½ inches diameter), nearly round, thin-skinned, with good flavor, no astringency, and a smooth texture on tasted samples. \u003cbr\u003eUniversity of Minnesota Extension describes Ure as producing small “Bartlett-type” fruit with good flavor and lists harvest around mid-August in their recommendations for northern gardens. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/fruit\/growing-pears\" title=\"Growing pears in the home garden | UMN Extension\"\u003eUniversity of Minnesota Extension\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003ePractically: Ure is best treated as an early pear you pick firm and ripen off-tree for best eating quality (and it’s also very serviceable for canning\/cooking). (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/fruit\/growing-pears\" title=\"Growing pears in the home garden | UMN Extension\"\u003eUniversity of Minnesota Extension\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUre is a smaller tree (to ~15 feet), however, given that we offer it on full size Ussurian pear rootstock, which generally pushes trees toward a larger, more vigorous, standard form the best way to reconcile this: expect Ure to be “moderate-sized for a hardy pear,” but don’t plan on it behaving like a tight semi-dwarf just because the cultivar can be compact in some settings. A safe long-term spacing band for Ure on Ussurian rootstock is about 16–20 feet (closer if you’ll prune annually to keep the canopy narrow, wider on rich soils or if you want minimal pruning).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUMN Extension states that in areas too cold for other pears, Ure can be grown with Golden Spice for pollen. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/fruit\/growing-pears\" title=\"Growing pears in the home garden | UMN Extension\"\u003eUniversity of Minnesota Extension\u003c\/a\u003e), although Summercrisp is also a known pollenizer for Ure as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe APFGA notes report that Clair Lammers had good survival of -46°F with his Ure in Fairbanks during the winter of 1989–90. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apfga.org\/hardy-pears-comments-and-observations\/\" title=\"HARDY PEARS – COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS – Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\"\u003eAlaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003eSeparately, multiple nursery references rate Ure around -40°F (or roughly zone-3 class hardiness), but those are best treated as generalized ratings rather than a single verified event record. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thetreefarm.com\/pear-ure\" title=\"Pear, Ure\"\u003ethetreefarm.com\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo the best evidence-based way to say it is: Ure has at least one documented report of surviving -46°F, and it is widely treated in cold-climate guidance as one of the hardiest named pears commonly available that doesn't come from the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apfga.org\/hardy-pears-comments-and-observations\/\" title=\"HARDY PEARS – COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS – Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\"\u003eAlaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45143677829186,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42508244877378,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ure-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021308"},{"product_id":"stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear","title":"Stuttgarter Gaishirtle Pear","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle (also known as Geishirtl or Geishirtli) is Rod McIver and Luke Robinson’s all-time favorite pear. It is a versatile heirloom discovered around 1750 near Stuttgart, Germany, by a goatherd. Its name translates loosely to “little goatherd from Stuttgart.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaishirtle has long been prized for its versatility, valued both fresh at the table and for preservation. Some sources list it as a really good pear for drying, which I can't believe because they would all be eaten fresh by the time there is any left for drying. One drawback is that it does not have a long shelf life at all. Maybe week or two tops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDried Gaishirtle pears are a traditional ingredient in Hutzelbrot, a classic German fruit bread, often made alongside dried plums. Because the fruit contains less tannic acid and juice than many traditional perry pears, it is generally considered less suitable for cider production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Ripening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit ripens in Western Montana typically between the third and fourth week of August (the photo for this description was taken August 25th in Kalispell, MT). Flavor is excellent when fully ripe, with qualities that apparently carry particularly well through drying and preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaishirtle is hardy to approximately −35°F. It is unknown whether it can reliably survive colder temperatures, and we err on the side of caution when rating its hardiness. Notably, a long-lived tree survived for decades in a cold Zone 4 area of Kalispell, Montana, before being lost to a windstorm in 2024. If you are in much of eastern MT where temps can drop below -35F, steer clear of Gaishirtle and instead opt for one of our Russian pears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a pear with deep cultural and historical roots, valued as much for tradition and preservation as for fresh eating. Its combination of flavor, history, and adaptability make it a standout choice for growers interested in classic European pears with proven performance in fairly cold climates. Take it for what it’s worth, this pear has an incredible flavor. “The best pear I’ve had when picked ripe (when it is ready) off the tree.” - Luke\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87: Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45133897138242,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus communis Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42504999403586,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 333 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (1 Year Older)","offer_id":45133897203778,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87: Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45133897171010,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"nova-pear","title":"Nova Pear","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"300\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"592\"\u003eNova is a decently cold-hardy European pear introduced through St. Lawrence Nurseries and is widely regarded as one of the better fresh-eating pears available for colder climates. It is valued for its excellent fruit quality, precocity, and reliable performance where many dessert pears struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"619\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"902\"\u003eNova was introduced by St. Lawrence Nurseries and named by Bill MacKentley after his daughter, Nova. While the exact parentage is not formally documented in published breeding records, Nova has long circulated in cold-climate nursery trade based on performance rather than pedigree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"930\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"931\" data-end=\"1395\"\u003eNova produces large, round pears with melting, juicy flesh and good to excellent eating quality. It is considered among the best fresh-eating pears for cold regions. The fruit may be used either green or fully ripe, offering flexibility in harvest timing. Pears hang well on the tree and ripen around mid-September in the Bitterroot Valley, developing a yellow skin as they mature. Nova is also suitable for kitchen use, though it is primarily valued as a dessert pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1425\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1764\"\u003eTrees are described as low vigor, spreading, and precocious, making them well suited to smaller plantings and easier long-term management. Standard pear spacing applies depending on rootstock, but 15–20 ft is a practical range for semi-dwarf to standard systems, with wider spacing improving airflow and light penetration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1783\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"2102\"\u003eNova is often described as self-fruitful, which is somewhat uncommon among European pears. Even so, fruit set and consistency are typically improved when planted with another pear that overlaps bloom. Hudar, Ure, Flemish Beauty, Golden Spice, or any of the Russian pairs would serve well as a pollenizer for Nova. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2124\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2125\" data-end=\"2514\"\u003eSome list Nova as a zone 2 pear, although it is more likely zone3. We have obrserved Nova survive at -38F in Stevensville, MT without any winter injury and situated in a lower spot where frost settles more readily. That said, growers in Fairbanks have not had good success with Nova. Could work in eastern MT with appropriate site selection and frost drainage, but if your areas consistently drops below -40F, stick with the Russian varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134310178882,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134310244418,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45134310211650,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503112065090,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nova-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"seckel-pear","title":"Seckel Pear","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is the classic “sugar pear”: very small fruit, intensely sweet, richly aromatic flesh, and a long-standing reputation as one of the best-flavored dessert pears ever grown in North America. It has been celebrated in American horticulture for more than two centuries and remains especially compelling for growers who prioritize flavor over fruit size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and history\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is an American pear discovered as a chance seedling near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (late 1700s to early 1800s depending on the source), and it became known under the name “Seckel” after the person\/farm associated with its early propagation and distribution. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExact parentage has never been proven. There is no confirmed, recorded cross for Seckel, and reputable references continue to describe it as a wild or chance seedling rather than a deliberate breeding result. In other words, any specific parentage claim would be speculation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically, Seckel’s reputation traveled fast because its eating quality was considered exceptional even compared to famous European pears. It was grown at Monticello, and the variety’s long-running cultural footprint is part of why it’s still referred to as “Philadelphia’s pear” in regional horticulture circles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel fruit is notably small, often “snack-sized,” but dense with sugar and aroma. The pears are consistently buttery, melting flesh and have a distinctive spicy flavor when properly ripened. Deliciously sweet. It ripens in last week of September in Missoula, and the skin is a dull yellowish-brown with russeting and a red cheek or blush. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is best known as a dessert pear for fresh eating at peak ripeness, but its small size and high sugar also make it excellent for preserves, spiced pears, and pickling. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is commonly characterized as vigorous and productive, with an upright-to-spreading habit, and it is often described as relatively small or compact compared with many European pear standards (rootstock and training will still strongly control final size). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne reason Seckel remains important to growers is that it’s repeatedly noted as having better fire blight resistance than many traditional European pears, which is also why it has been used and referenced in breeding and selection conversations around disease resilience. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Seckel on two root systems: OHxF 87 semi-dwarf and Pyrus communis full size. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn OHxF 87, we recommend 15 feet between trees as a practical baseline. For tighter plantings, 12 feet can work with disciplined pruning and training. For wider spacing, 18 feet is appropriate on more fertile sites, with less pruning intensity, or where you want larger canopies. (These are spacing targets for in-row distances; row spacing is typically wider to accommodate equipment and mature canopy width.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Pyrus communis full-size, spacing needs to be wider than OHxF 87. A practical baseline is roughly 18–22 feet between trees (and wider where vigor is high), because full-size pears will ultimately occupy substantially more canopy volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is not reliably self-fertile in a way you should bank on for consistent cropping. Many references describe it as at least partially self-fertile, but also emphasize better production with a compatible pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel is a European pear (Pyrus communis) and should be pollenized with another Pyrus communis cultivar that blooms at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne important compatibility note that shows up in nursery guidance is that Bartlett is commonly listed as a poor or incompatible match for Seckel as a pollenizer (including explicit “do not pair” guidance). Because we offer Bartlett types in our pear lineup, we do not recommend relying on Bartlett or its sports (i.e. Red Sensation Bartlett) as the primary pollenizer for Seckel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe carry a broad range of other European pears that can serve as pollenizers for Seckel, such as Flemish Beauty, Stuttgarter Gaishirtle, Ubileen, Giffard, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile many places cite Seckel as hardy to zone 5-8, it is hardier than zone 5 for certain. Seckel has been surviving in the Bitterroot Valley for decades, including in Hamilton where winter lows have approached −38°F. There are also reported sightings near Great Falls, particularly Highwood (roughly 30 miles east of Great Falls). While the particular tree in Highwood is positioned somewhat above the valley floor, winter lows in that area can still approach −40°F. At the minimum, we would rate Seckel a solid zone 3b pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeckel has an exceptional flavor. It is on of those pears that is repeatedly singled out for dessert quality, and it’s one of the few pears that routinely gets described as excellent rather than merely “good.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisease-wise, Seckel has better-than-average fire blight resistance among European pears, which is a major reason growers keep coming back to it even when larger-fruited pears exist. That said, it should still be managed like any pear in a fire blight region: avoid excessive nitrogen, push balanced growth, prune thoughtfully, and remove strikes promptly if they occur.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. One Year Older and Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134574387266,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. One Year Older and Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134574420034,"sku":null,"price":129.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/seckel-pear-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021076"},{"product_id":"hanska-plum","title":"Hanska Plum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska is one of the classic Hansen hybrid plums developed specifically for the northern Great Plains. Released in 1908 by Dr. N.E. Hansen with South Dakota State, it belongs to the group of hardy Asian–American hybrid plums bred to combine improved fruit quality with the durability of native American plum genetics. Hansen's own account gives the parentage as a seedling of the wild Northwestern plum (Prunus americana) as the seed parent, pollenized by the apricot plum of China (Prunus simonii), so it is an americana by simonii hybrid rather than a Japanese plum cross. Hanska is commonly discussed alongside related Hansen hybrids such as Kaga and is part of the same broader breeding effort that eventually produced well-known plums like Toka. Its purpose from the outset was reliable performance in cold, continental climates. Here's a cool \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sdpb.org\/rural-life-and-history\/niels-ebbeson-hansen-exploration-for-cultivation\"\u003earticle\u003c\/a\u003e on Hansen and his life's work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the research literature and long-standing variety descriptions, Hanska produces medium-sized fruit with red skin and yellow flesh. The fruit is aromatic and firm, with flavor that improves as it fully ripens. It is considered an all-purpose plum, usable for fresh eating when ripe and especially well suited to cooking, preserves, sauces, and other processing where its flavor holds up well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska is hardy to -40F, which is cited by Bob Purvis, and this matches our field observations in Western Montana, in which Hanska withstood -38F in Stevenville, on Jan. 12th 2024. Hanska will therefore do well  in the vast majority of Western Montana, apart from the coldest valleys, such as Potomac, which can get down to -50F. Hanska well  not do as well east of the divide where temps can drop below -40F in the winter, but should do survive in Billings and the surrounding warmer valleys, as well as areas that are up on a bench in eastern MT and out of frost pooling. In well-sited plantings with good cold-air drainage and proper fall hardening, it may even perform into colder microclimates than -40F, but there is no published evidence to support assigning a specific lower extreme temperature beyond a Zone 3 placement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska grows as a vigorous hybrid plum tree rather than a dwarf. Trees develop a strong framework and should be given adequate room to mature. A practical spacing is about 12–16 feet between trees, with wider spacing (15–18 feet) improving airflow, access, and long-term ease of management. Regular pruning helps maintain structure and productivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska benefits from cross-pollination and should be planted with at least one other compatible hybrid plum that blooms at a similar time. As with most Asian–American hybrid plums, pollination improves fruit set and consistency compared to planting a single tree in isolation. Plant with Toka, Pipestone, Alderman, Underwood, or other asian-american hybrids. Native American plum and Prairie Red Plum can also work. Will not cross with European plums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499185344578,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hanska-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"underwood-plum","title":"Underwood Plum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is a classic cold-climate hybrid plum known for dependable survival in relatively harsh winters and for producing attractive, flavorful fruit that works well for both fresh eating and processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is a University of Minnesota introduction from the early 1920s. According to the bilingual plum reference hosted at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cyberfruit.info\/flipbook\/flipplum\/files\/basic-html\/page86.html\"\u003eCyberfruit\u003c\/a\u003e, it was introduced in 1921 by the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm (Excelsior, Minnesota) and is described as a hybrid-type plum derived from Shiro × Wyant. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cyberfruit.info\/flipbook\/flipplum\/files\/basic-html\/page86.html\" title=\"Page 86 - Our Plums - Les Pruniers de chez nous.pdf\"\u003ecyberfruit.info\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood sits in the “Japanese–American hybrid” category that many northern-region plum programs leaned on to combine improved fruit quality with the ruggedness of native North American plum species. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/plums-in-the-home-garden\" title=\"How to Grow Plums in Your Home Garden | USU\"\u003eUtah State University Extension\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood fruit is large for a hardy hybrid plum, with dark red skin and yellow flesh. The fruit is juicy, melting, and tender, ripening around mid-August in Missoula, and it also holds well in cold storage.\u003cbr\u003eIn practice, Underwood can be enjoyed fresh when fully ripe, but it also (apparently) works well in sauce, jam, fruit leather, baking, and fermentation, although we have only ever eaten it fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood grows as a medium-sized plum tree rather than a true dwarf. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese Underwood plum trees come in several different rootstock\/sizes for Spring 2027. They are either on Native plum, which is likely slightly hardier, and tends to produce a semi-dwarf tree in our dry, alkaline soils and harsh climate. However, key word there is 'tends'. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe have found that there is some natural variation in the size of Native Plum as a rootstock (and in general as a stand along tree) as these plants are grown from seed. However, the other rootstock we have grafted Underwood onto is Prairie Red, which is far more uniform according to Dan Sheild, produces a semi-dwarf tree (roughly 15 ft. at maturity or slightly larger in deeper soils), and is hardy to around -50F.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with many hardy hybrid plums, good air drainage matters because hybrid plums bloom early (right after peaches) and can be more “spring-frost limited” than “midwinter-cold limited” on marginal sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is not a “plant-one-tree-and-forget-it” plum in most climates. It needs a compatible hybrid plum nearby for consistent fruit set. Pollenizers for Underwood include Alderman, Pipestone, Hanska, and Gracious, Toka, Kuban Delight, Ptitsin #5, La Crescent, Superior, and other Asian–American hybrids. Native American plum and Prairie Red can work as pollenizers for these hybrid types as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have observed Underwood surviving -38F in Stevensville, MT from a 1\/13\/24 polar front without showing any signs of winter injury. St. Lawrence lists Underwood as hardy to -50F with occasional winter injury. Because we cannot verify this claim in our experience, we are conservatively saying Underwood is hardy to -40F. Hardy to zone 3a. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42508244353090,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42508244320322,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45143186440258,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45143186473026,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/underwood-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021308"},{"product_id":"aromatnaya-russian-quince","title":"Aromatnaya Russian Quince","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"151\"\u003eWe are new to growing Aromatnaya Russian Quince, so this information is all second-hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"153\" data-end=\"169\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"603\"\u003eAromatnaya Russian Quince is an old Black Sea–region variety known for its intense fragrance—when the fruit ripens, it fills the area with a tropical, pineapple-citrus aroma. The fruit is large, bright yellow, and firm when first picked, then softens in storage to a pear-like texture that becomes sweet enough to enjoy fresh. Aromatnaya is also excellent for jelly, preserves, baking, and for adding aroma and tannin to apple cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"637\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Growth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"638\" data-end=\"1083\"\u003eThis cultivar is one of the hardiest quinces available, typically listed hardy to USDA zone 4–5 and generally expected to tolerate temperatures down to about –30°F once established. The tree naturally grows compact, usually around 10–12 feet tall and wide, with a spreading habit that lends itself well to open-center training. It blooms in late April and ripens late September into October, with fruit that stores for months in cool conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1085\" data-end=\"1104\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1613\"\u003eAromatnaya is self-fertile, so a single tree will produce fruit on its own, and we do not offer any other quince currently. Although Aromatnaya sometimes overlaps bloom with later European pears, quince always pollenizes best with other quince, and pears should be considered bonus pollen rather than the main source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1634\"\u003eSite \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1914\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThis variety prefers full or half-day sun and well-drained soil, and it shows good disease resistance relative to many fruit trees. As with all quinces, it can be susceptible to fire blight in high-pressure areas, so maintaining airflow and clean pruning practices is beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45124770594882,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124770627650,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124770660418,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/aromatnaya-russian-quince-on-tree.jpg?v=1789019154"},{"product_id":"florence-plum-seedling","title":"Florence Plum Seedling (Bundle of 2)","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"285\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"695\"\u003eFlorence Plum Seedling refers to seedlings grown from a purple, freestone European plum discovered by Luke Ruffner in Florence, Montana. The original mother tree was almost certainly grown from seed and was therefore not a named cultivar. These seedlings represent open-pollinated genetic material derived from that original tree and are valued for their hardiness, precocity, and regional adaptation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"723\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1177\"\u003eIn terms of fresh flavor, Florence Plum Seedling fruit is astringent and not especially pleasant when eaten directly off the tree, even at full ripeness. However, when fruit is harvested ripe and allowed to rest in a cool location for one to two weeks, the flavor improves significantly. After this conditioning period, the plums become reasonably good for fresh eating and perform especially well when cooked, making excellent plum compote or plum jam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1207\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1530\"\u003eThe trees exhibit a very upright growth habit. Because of this narrow form, seedlings can be planted as close as 10 feet apart, though 15 feet of spacing may allow for easier management, better light penetration, and long-term structure. These seedlings respond well to training and can be shaped effectively through pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1532\" data-end=\"1547\"\u003ePrecocity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1548\" data-end=\"1828\"\u003eFlorence Plum Seedlings are notably precocious. The photo shown is of the original mother tree, and the seedlings offered were grown from seed collected from that fruit. Early bearing has been observed, making these trees productive at a young age relative to many European plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1866\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Genetic Value\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"2489\"\u003eBased on long-term observation, the original mother tree has been established since the 1980s, during which time the Florence area experienced winter temperatures into the mid −30°F range. This suggests that the mother tree is hardy to at least −35°F and possibly capable of surviving temperatures approaching −40°F under favorable conditions. These seedlings are best considered a Zone 3b plum. While not a refined dessert variety, they possess meaningful genetic value for cold hardiness, resilience, and adaptation to northern continental climates, making them worthwhile material for propagation and further selection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"4-8\"","offer_id":42499070885954,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/florence-plum-seedling-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020066"},{"product_id":"korean-stone-pine-seedling","title":"Korean Stone Pine Seedling (Bundle of 2)","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"14\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"449\"\u003eKorean Stone Pine (\u003cem data-start=\"34\" data-end=\"52\"\u003ePinus koraiensis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a long-lived, cold-hardy pine native to northeastern Asia, including Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. It is best known as one of the primary sources of true pine nuts, which have been harvested and cultivated for centuries. The plants offered here are seedlings, meaning they are genetically variable and represent seed-grown material rather than a named clonal selection. That said, the trees from which these seeds were gathered were themselves seedlings. All of these seedlings are grown from seed that was the same size as what you'd find at the store.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"451\" data-end=\"479\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"928\"\u003eKorean Stone Pine grows into a large, slow to moderate growing conifer with a broad, pyramidal form when young, becoming more open and massive with age. At maturity, trees commonly reach 30–50 feet tall and wide, and sometimes larger under favorable conditions. Because of their eventual size and long lifespan, trees should be spaced \u003cstrong data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"836\"\u003e25–40 feet apart\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are best suited to permanent plantings where long-term canopy development is desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"957\"\u003eNut Production \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"958\" data-end=\"1415\"\u003eKorean Stone Pine produces large, high-quality pine nuts that are widely regarded as among the best-tasting of all pine nuts. These are exactly what you'd find in the grocery store when you purcahse \"pine nuts\". Nuts are used fresh, roasted, or in cooking and baking. Trees typically take many years to begin producing cones, and cross-pollination between multiple individuals improves cone and nut set over time. Therefore, this bundle of two should provide adequate pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1417\" data-end=\"1437\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1438\" data-end=\"1769\"\u003eKorean Stone Pine is extremely cold hardy and is generally considered suitable for \u003cstrong data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1549\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones 2–7\u003c\/strong\u003e, with documented survival into the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1585\" data-end=\"1600\"\u003e−40°F range\u003c\/strong\u003e under continental winter conditions. Its native range includes regions with long, severe winters, making it one of the most cold-tolerant nut-producing trees available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1806\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1807\" data-end=\"2226\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIn addition to nut production, Korean Stone Pine is valued as a windbreak tree, wildlife tree, and long-term food-security species. It tolerates cold, snow load, and relatively poor soils once established, though it performs best in well-drained sites. As a seed-grown species with a long juvenile period, it is best planted by those thinking in decades rather than years, offering a legacy tree for future generations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"6-18\"","offer_id":42500104093762,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/korean-stone-pine-nuts.jpg?v=1789020420"},{"product_id":"september-ruby-apple","title":"September Ruby Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby is an extremely cold-hardy prairie apple released for northern climates where winter survival and dependable cropping matter more than perfect “dessert apple” aesthetics. It produces medium-sized, bright red fruit over a light green base, with crisp flesh and a distinctly tart-leaning, refreshing eating quality. In prairie and subarctic-style testing and grower use, it is consistently positioned as a versatile apple for fresh eating, cooking, juicing, and surprisingly strong keeping for an early-to-mid September ripener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby was developed within Canada’s prairie hardy-fruit breeding efforts. It originated from the Morden Research Station (Agriculture Canada) through work led by C. R. Ure for the Prairie Fruit Breeding Cooperative. It was selected as #6021, tested as PF36, and released in 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts documented lineage is Rescue × Haralson, a cross that aligns with the breeding goal of combining early-season reliability and cold hardiness with improved fruit quality for very cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit is typically described as medium-sized, around 6–7 cm (roughly 2½ inches) in diameter, round-oblate (somewhat flattened), often with noticeable ribbing. Skin is moderately thick with a light green base striped and blushed bright to dark red, and it may occasionally become fully red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flesh is greenish, crisp, and moderately acid. In plain eating terms, the flavor is commonly described as “a bit tart” while still being considered a great eating apple, with strong crunch and a clean, straightforward apple character rather than a complex or perfumed profile. It is rated very good for fresh eating, and it is also consistently recommended for cooking and especially for juicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne important nuance from prairie cultivar notes is that green-fleshed apples can read as slightly bitter to some individuals. That does not mean the apple is “bitter” as a rule; it means a minority of tasters may perceive a slight bitter edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of storage, September Ruby is notably a good keeper for its season, with documented storage performance up to about 16 weeks under proper cold storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is moderately vigorous with an upright-spreading habit, fair to good branching, and annual productivity. It is commonly described as reliably productive in cold regions once established, fitting the overall “hardy prairie workhorse” profile that these breeding programs targeted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer September Ruby on Antonovka full-size rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a full-size rootstock, Antonovka will ultimately produce a large, vigorous tree. In most orchard settings, practical spacing is generally in the range of about 18–25 feet between trees depending on soil vigor, irrigation, pruning\/training intensity, and whether you’re managing for equipment access. A tighter spacing can work if you commit to canopy management and want earlier orchard “closure,” while wider spacing is appropriate on fertile ground or where you want large, low-maintenance trees over the long haul. For a rigorous pruning regiment, trees could even be planted closer than 18 ft. apart. If the growing season is longer than ours in MT, and the soils are deeper, one likely will need to summer prune as well Spring prune, whereas colder climate folks could likely get away with just Spring pruning at 15 ft spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby should be treated as not self-fertile for reliable production and should be planted with a different, compatible apple or crabapple that overlaps bloom for cross-pollination. Examples we offer include Dolgo Crabapple, Haralson, Rescue, Dearborn's Unknown, Prairie Sensation, Norkent, Norda, Norson, Kerr, Chestnut. and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie cultivar documentation places September Ruby in the most cold-adapted class of apples commonly grown in North America, with hardiness noted to zone 2a in its original program descriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn-the-ground, the tree has performed very well for Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway and showed no winter injury after repeated winters that saw −47°F. That observation is specific to that site and management, but it is consistent with September Ruby’s documented role as a top-tier zone 2a cold-climate apple. May even survive in protected zone 1 sites, although this is hypothetical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby is often nicknamed “King of the North” in the hardy-fruit world, reflecting the way growers talk about its winter survival and annual bearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed as moderately resistant to fire blight, which is notable for a very hardy apple type, but it should still be managed like any apple in a fire blight region (balanced nutrition, avoid excessive vigor, prompt removal of strikes if they occur). Some cultivar references also note susceptibility to mildew, so standard airflow and canopy management remains worthwhile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The apple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42504557527106,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134580973634,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/september-ruby-apple-fruit-cut.jpg?v=1789021076"},{"product_id":"northfield-beauty-apple","title":"Northfield Beauty Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"299\" data-end=\"313\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"623\"\u003eNorthfield Beauty is a cold-hardy heirloom apple best known for its strong kitchen utility, heavy cropping, and reliable performance in fairly cold climates. It is often favored by growers who value bold, tart flavor and high productivity, with fruit that can also be eaten fresh by those who enjoy sharper apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"650\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"1069\"\u003eNorthfield Beauty is an old American apple dating to the 19th century. Pomiferous notes puts its origins to Hermon in Penobscot County, Vermont (U.S.A.) with its parentage listed as possibly\u003ca class=\"standard apple-link\" data-apple-id=\"7860\" href=\"https:\/\/pomiferous.com\/applebyname\/siberian-crabapple-id-7860\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Siberian Crabapple \u003c\/a\u003e crossed with\u003ca class=\"standard apple-link\" data-apple-id=\"1967\" href=\"https:\/\/pomiferous.com\/applebyname\/hubbardston-id-1967\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Hubbardston. \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1097\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1578\"\u003eFruit is typically large, frequently irregular or asymmetrical in shape, and notably tart with a strong, assertive flavor. Northfield Beauty is widely regarded as an excellent cooking apple, particularly for sauce and baking, where its acidity and structure hold up well. When fully mature, it can also be eaten fresh by those who prefer high-acid apples. Ripening is generally described as late summer, commonly in the late August\/early Sept window depending on climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1580\" data-end=\"1608\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eTrees are moderately vigorous with an upright to spreading growth habit and are often described as heavy and consistent croppers. Standard apple spacing based on rootstock applies, with wider spacing helpful for airflow and disease management in vigorous plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1905\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1906\" data-end=\"2154\"\u003eNorthfield Beauty requires cross-pollination. Any compatible apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom will work. In mixed plantings, pairing it with another mid-bloom apple along with a crabapple is a reliable strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2156\" data-end=\"2176\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2177\" data-end=\"2528\"\u003eNorthfield Beauty is easily a solid zone 3 apple, having survived near -35F on Rod McIver's farm in Kalispell, MT without any winter injury. If Siberian crab is indeed one of its parents, then it could even be hardier. As with most apples, actual survival at the lower end of this range depends on acclimation, site selection, and overall tree health. Possible zone 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2177\" data-end=\"2528\"\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2177\" data-end=\"2528\"\u003eApparently resistant to scab.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42503001636930,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northfield-beauty-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"norson-apple","title":"Norson Apple","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorson is a prairie apple selected for cold climates, valued for heavy annual crops and late-season use compared to many other ultra-hardy apples.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie breeding sources list the lineage as Haralson × Rescue, with introduction through the Beaverlodge, Alberta program in the mid-1970s.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good dessert apple with consistent yields and decent keeping. It's a later apple compared to other Nor series apples.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate vigor, upright-spreading. Use standard apple spacing based on rootstock, often 15 ft. for semi-dwarf and 18–20+ ft vigorous. Tighter spacing for these rootstocks can be applied with more pruning.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot self-fertile. Pollenize with any other apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom. In a mixed planting, any other mid-bloom apple plus a crabapple is typically a safe strategy.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolid zone 2 apple in Montana. Purvis lists it as zone 1 but Alaska Fruit Tree notes it as a zone 2. Will work for just about all of Montana, even some of the coldest places east of the divide, though plant with good air drainage and avoid depressions\/frost pooling areas if planted in places like colder areas of eastern MT or interior Alaska (i.e. Fairbanks).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The crabapple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":42502686212162,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42502686244930,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/norson-apple-fruit-cut.jpg?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"baldwin-apple","title":"Baldwin Apple","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"189\" data-start=\"170\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"572\" data-start=\"191\"\u003eBaldwin is a historic American apple celebrated for its rich, aromatic flavor—sweet, slightly spicy, and incredibly balanced. In the right climate, it produces beautiful deep-red fruit that excels in fresh eating, pies, and traditional New England-style cider. This variety was once one of the most widely grown apples in the U.S. for good reason: the fruit quality is outstanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"577\" data-start=\"574\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"614\" data-start=\"579\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Site Suitability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"776\" data-start=\"616\"\u003eBaldwin is \u003cstrong data-end=\"655\" data-start=\"627\"\u003enot a cold-hardy variety\u003c\/strong\u003e and struggles in northern climates. It is a\u003cstrong data-end=\"721\" data-start=\"700\"\u003e Zone 5 apple (if not zone 6)\u003c\/strong\u003e, and would likely only work in the absolute warmest microclimates in Montana (part of Missoula that are up and out of frost pooling areas). Our own trees experienced \u003cstrong data-end=\"960\" data-start=\"935\"\u003etrunk damage at –25°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, and that’s the reason we stopped growing and offering them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1125\" data-start=\"1023\"\u003eThese are the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1085\" data-start=\"1037\"\u003elast remaining trees from a couple years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e. Once gone, they will not be restocked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1130\" data-start=\"1127\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1152\" data-start=\"1132\"\u003eBearing Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1380\" data-start=\"1154\"\u003eBaldwin is \u003cstrong data-end=\"1177\" data-start=\"1165\"\u003ebiennial\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning it produces a heavy crop one year and very little the next. In colder or more stressful conditions, it can become \u003cstrong data-end=\"1314\" data-start=\"1301\"\u003etriennial\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it unreliable for growers who need consistent production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1385\" data-start=\"1382\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1408\" data-start=\"1387\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1731\" data-start=\"1410\"\u003eWhen it does fruit, Baldwin delivers. The apples are medium to large with dense, juicy flesh and a high-aroma profile. The flavor is complex and memorable—excellent fresh, superb for baking, and historically one of the top cider apples in the Northeast. In the right climate, this is an exceptional-flavor heritage apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1736\" data-start=\"1733\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1788\" data-start=\"1738\"\u003ePollination \u0026amp; Compatible Varieties We Offer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2021\" data-start=\"1790\"\u003eBaldwin is \u003cstrong data-end=\"1821\" data-start=\"1801\"\u003enot self-fertile\u003c\/strong\u003e, so it requires a compatible mid-season apple pollenizer. For customers in climates where Baldwin \u003cem data-end=\"1924\" data-start=\"1920\"\u003eis\u003c\/em\u003e suitable (Zone 5B–6), we offer several excellent mid-season bloom partners:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-end=\"2062\" data-start=\"2023\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2062\" data-start=\"2027\"\u003eCompatible Pollenizers We Offer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2470\" data-start=\"2063\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2131\" data-start=\"2063\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2131\" data-start=\"2065\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2077\" data-start=\"2065\"\u003eMcIntosh\u003c\/strong\u003e – Classic mid-season pollenizer; highly compatible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2199\" data-start=\"2132\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2199\" data-start=\"2134\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2148\" data-start=\"2134\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/strong\u003e – Overlaps well in bloom; strong pollen partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2272\" data-start=\"2200\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2272\" data-start=\"2202\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2224\" data-start=\"2202\"\u003eChestnut Crabapple\u003c\/strong\u003e – Reliable pollenizer with long bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2339\" data-start=\"2273\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2339\" data-start=\"2275\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2287\" data-start=\"2275\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/strong\u003e – Another solid mid-season apple that pairs well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2402\" data-start=\"2340\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2402\" data-start=\"2342\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2355\" data-start=\"2342\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/strong\u003e – Good overlap and strong pollination vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2470\" data-start=\"2403\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2470\" data-start=\"2405\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2420\" data-start=\"2405\"\u003eKinderKrisp\u003c\/strong\u003e – Early-to-mid bloom but overlaps enough to work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2628\" data-start=\"2472\"\u003eAny \u003cstrong data-end=\"2496\" data-start=\"2476\"\u003emid-season apple\u003c\/strong\u003e in our catalog will pollenize Baldwin effectively, so growers in Zone 5B–6 have multiple suitable pairings from our current lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2633\" data-start=\"2630\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2653\" data-start=\"2635\"\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2952\" data-start=\"2655\"\u003eBaldwin is a fantastic variety \u003cstrong data-end=\"2723\" data-start=\"2686\"\u003eif you live in the proper climate\u003c\/strong\u003e—a flavorful, historic apple with real character. But it is \u003cstrong data-end=\"2850\" data-start=\"2783\"\u003enot appropriate for the vast majority of Montana or any region with deep winter cold\u003c\/strong\u003e. For those in Zone 5B–6, it can still be an excellent addition when paired with the right pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of: National Fruit Collection, \u003ca title=\"w:Brogdale\" class=\"extiw\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brogdale\"\u003eBrogdale\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"6-7 ft.","offer_id":42498810609730,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"7-8 ft","offer_id":42498810642498,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/baldwin-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"red-gravenstein-apple","title":"Red Gravenstein Apple","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"db11016e-0304-40a3-991b-043f3aab6699\" dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"14\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"202\"\u003eRed Gravenstein is a red-skinned sport of the classic Gravenstein apple, prized for its bold, aromatic flavor and versatility while offering a more colorful, attractive fruit on the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"204\" data-end=\"228\"\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"229\" data-end=\"589\"\u003eGravenstein originated in Denmark in the 1600s and became one of the most widely respected early apples in Europe and North America. Red Gravenstein is a naturally occurring sport selected for its deeper red coloration, while retaining the core eating and culinary qualities that made the original Gravenstein famous among orchardists, cooks, and cider makers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"591\" data-end=\"609\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"610\" data-end=\"980\"\u003eFruit is medium to large with a rich red blush over a yellow-green background. The flesh is juicy, highly aromatic, and well-balanced, combining sweetness with a bright, refreshing acidity. Red Gravenstein excels for fresh eating when fully ripe but is especially outstanding for applesauce, baking, cooking, and cider, where its complex, spicy flavor really stands out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1310\"\u003eTrees are vigorous with an upright to spreading growth habit and can become fairly large if unmanaged. Spacing is typically 18–25 feet depending on rootstock and desired mature size. Regular pruning is recommended to manage vigor, maintain structure, and improve light penetration and fruit quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1312\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1424\"\u003eRed Gravenstein is a triploid apple. This has important implications for orchard planning:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1683\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1546\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1546\"\u003eAs a triploid, it produces little to no viable pollen, so it cannot effectively pollenize other apple trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1683\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1549\" data-end=\"1683\"\u003eFor good fruit set, Red Gravenstein performs best when two compatible diploid apple varieties with overlapping bloom are nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1750\"\u003eIf someone plants only Red Gravenstein and one other apple:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1939\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1939\"\u003eThe other apple may help pollenize Red Gravenstein if bloom overlaps, but fruit set can be inconsistent or light because Gravenstein ideally wants pollen from more than one source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1940\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003eRed Gravenstein will not pollenize that second tree, so the companion apple may also crop poorly unless there is another apple or crabapple in the area (a neighbor’s tree, wild crabapple, etc.).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2440\"\u003eGood pollination partners from what we commonly offer include long- and mid-bloom apples and crabapples such as Chestnut Applecrab, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Haralson, Frostbite, or KinderKrisp. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2440\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2463\" data-end=\"3060\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eGravenstein is generally considered hardy to about zone 4, but real-world observations suggest it can tolerate colder events under favorable conditions, so it is likely even a zone 3b apple. Notably, a Gravenstein (the original type, not specifically this red sport) survived approximately -33°F at Benson’s Farm in Missoula back in the 1980s, and is still growing happily today. While it’s unclear whether that event caused any winter injury at the time, the tree today looks excellent, suggesting strong long-term resilience once established. As with many older apple varieties, site selection and microclimate play a major role in success in very cold regions. Given that we're unsure as to the lower limits of cold that Red Graventein can withstand, we would not recommend it for most of Eastern Montana (apart perhaps from Billings and some of the warmer surrounding areas). Red Gravenstein should work in Kalispell, much of the Flathead and Mission Valleys, Plains and the stretch along the Clark Fork towards Idaho, and warmer microclimates\/on a bench with good airflow in the Bitterroot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of Wikimedia user \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Jarvin\"\u003eJarvin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Tree Co.","offers":[{"title":"G935 Dwarf: 4-5 ft. (1 yr. older)","offer_id":42503737278530,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"G935 Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (1 yr. older) Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping","offer_id":42503737311298,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-gravenstein-apple-fruit.png?v=1789020871"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/cooking-roasting.oembed?page=3","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}