{"title":"Fire Blight Resistant Fruit Trees","description":"\u003cp\u003eApples, pears and crabs that resist fire blight, the bacterial disease that blackens shoots like they've been torched and can kill a tree outright. It spreads at bloom in warm, wet weather, and once it's in a susceptible tree it's hard to stop. Resistance is the best defense.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about fire blight\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003ePears get hit the hardest, so start there if you want pears. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fire-blight-resistant-pear-trees\"\u003eFire blight resistant pears\u003c\/a\u003e include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fire-blight-resistant-apple-trees\"\u003eapples and crabs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e applecrab takes zone 1, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e zone 1b, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e zone 2. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/williams-pride-apple\"\u003eWilliam's Pride\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003eRoxbury Russet\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003eBelle de Boskoop\u003c\/a\u003e are good full size apples that resist it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy nitrogen and lots of soft, fast growth make fire blight worse. Go easy on the fertilizer and let the soil do the work. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/disease-resistance\"\u003edisease resistance charts\u003c\/a\u003e have the full breakdown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat pear trees resist fire blight?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarrow Sweet, Honeysweet, Seckel, Summercrisp, Cold Snap and Ubileen. Summercrisp and Cold Snap are hardy to zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat apple trees resist fire blight?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty, William's Pride, Black Oxford, Roxbury Russet, Belle de Boskoop, Blue Pearmain and Kandil Sinap, plus Dolgo crab and the Trailman, Chestnut and Centennial applecrabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat makes fire blight worse?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm, wet weather during bloom and lots of soft, fast growth from too much nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"centennial-apple-crab","title":"Centennial Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Centennial Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (500 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#centennial-apple-crab\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIntroduced in 1957 by the University of Minnesota, Centennial is closely related to the beloved \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e. While Kerr is a cross of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e x \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, Centennial is the result of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e x Dolgo—a pairing that brings both cold hardiness and flavor potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is our second year offering Centennial, though. While we haven’t tasted the fruit yet, we’ve been impressed by the tree’s resilience—zero winter injury at Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, MT after a winter that saw -47°F on his site. It’s also a favorite among growers in Alaska, which says a lot about its toughness. Here is a direct quote from Ed, “\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFlavor is excellent. And they’re really pretty. They’ve got a yellowish pink skin. They come on earlier but they hang on the tree a long time and stay good without getting mealy. Centennial ripens end of August\/first part of September.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eAccording to the University of Minnesota:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e“Large, red-over-orange crabapple that is excellent for fresh eating and sauce, but does not store well.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eRipens late August in Montana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eBest used fresh or for sauce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to at least -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGreat for Zone 2 and colder regions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Centennial trees are grafted onto the hardy full size Dolgo and semi-dwarf Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Centennial Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Centennial Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Centennial Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Centennial Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Centennial Applecrab hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Centennial Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Not tested. Its parents are Wealthy (800 to 1,000 hours) and Dolgo (about 500), so we estimate around 750. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Centennial Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Centennial Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Centennial Applecrab onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Centennial Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Centennial Applecrab are fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Centennial Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Centennial Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125064294466,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125064327234,"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":45125064360002,"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":45125064392770,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/centennial-applecrab-fruit.jpg?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"chestnut-crabapple","title":"Chestnut Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chestnut Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 950). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chestnut-crabapple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e and 42 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. Bud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChestnut, developed by the University of Minnesota, is technically an applecrab—50% apple and 50% crabapple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe parentage of Chestnut is a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian Crab\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/malinda-apple\"\u003eMalinda\u003c\/a\u003e, released by the University of Minnesota in 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut don’t let the “crabapple” part fool you. Hand this to someone who thinks crabapples are too tart or ornamental, and you’ll likely make a believer out of them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOne of the sweetest applecrabs we’ve tried\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn Fall 2023 (Kalispell orchard), we noted hints of bubblegum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn Fall 2024 (WARC field day), the flavor shifted to nutty, mellow, sweet, and less acidic. Super yummy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipens 1–2 weeks before \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, making it a perfect complementary variety\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWant something intense and tangy? Go with Kerr\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWant something smooth, sweet, and nutty? Get Chestnut\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipening \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipens early: 1st–2nd week of September in western Montana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGreat for fresh eating, but also works in sauces or ciders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eStores decently for a crabapple\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardy to at least -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIdeal for Zone 2 and possibly colder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEarly enough to ripen even in parts of Alaska\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Tree Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Chestnut applecrabs are grafted onto Bud 118, hardy to -50 F or more, and M26, which is less hardy (to -40F) and a little less dwarfing. If buying Chestnut on M26 and you can experience sub -40F, then bury the graft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Chestnut Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Chestnut Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Chestnut Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Chestnut Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Chestnut Applecrab hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Chestnut Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 950. That comes from published figures for this variety. Blooms early, with Dolgo. Lab tests put it well below standard apples, about 750 hours. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Chestnut Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Chestnut Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Chestnut Applecrab onto M26 (dwarf to semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 8 to 14 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Chestnut Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Chestnut Applecrab are fresh eating (9\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Chestnut Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Chestnut Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42498963603522,"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":42498963701826,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chestnut-applecrab-harvest-in-hand.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"cold-snap-pear","title":"Cold Snap® Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Snap® Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or Seckel; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 16 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOriginally bred as \u003cem\u003eHarovin Sundown\u003c\/em\u003e in the 1970s by H. A. Quamme, this variety was licensed to the Vineland Innovation and Research Center, which began selling trees in 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy We're Growing Cold Snap\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlthough this is our second year growing \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e, we were enticed by its breeding for Ontario’s cold climate and its strong disease resistance. Hardy down to -40°F, these pears will thrive across much of Montana—except in some of the more brutal areas east of the Divide. If you're in a spot that regularly sees temps colder than -40°F, we recommend going with one of the Russian pears grafted onto Ussurian pear. (We have several of those for Spring 2027, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock and Tree Sizes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e pears are grafted onto OHxF87 rootstock, which is also hardy to -40°F to -45°F. Trees come in two sizes (same age but one grew better in the nursery):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 2-3 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 3-5 ft. tall\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Snap® Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Snap® Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Cold Snap® Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Snap® Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cold Snap® Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Cold Snap® Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Cold Snap® Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Cold Snap® Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Snap® Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Snap® Pear are winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Cold Snap® Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45125070782530,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45125070815298,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/cold-snap-pear-on-tree.webp?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2","title":"Dolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dolgo Crabapple is a crabapple tree rated hardy to zone 1b in our ratings, not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 19 to Sep 1 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 1b to 9. The b means the warmer half of zone 1 only. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 500 hours (400 to 1,000). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e and 42 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 19 to Sep 1 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (9\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), hard cider (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProducing massive amounts of white flowers every Spring that will then turn to 1-inch crimson red crabapples, Dolgo is a must for many reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether it’s eating the good tasting crabapples (high acidity which I like), used for processing, or as a pollenizer or rootstock on which to top graft, Dolgo is a must for many reasons in the orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisease Resistance \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd did I mention it's resistant to scab, fireblight, and cold hardy to zone 2. When some of our rootstocks such as some in the Geneva or Emla series had suffered from some frost damage at our nursery from the early fall frost (-10F) on 10\/25\/20, Dolgo didn’t bat an eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCider \u0026amp; Culinary Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough I’ve never used Dolgo for cider, I have used one of its descendants, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr apple crab\u003c\/a\u003e (which is crossed with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e) and that made for I think the best tasting cider I’ve ever had. Some sources say it makes great jelly and I’d bet Dolgo cider ain’t too shabby, especially when blended with something sweet like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZone 2 hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Dolgo Crabapple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Dolgo Crabapple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Dolgo Crabapple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Dolgo Crabapple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Dolgo Crabapple hardy to zone 1b. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Dolgo Crabapple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 500 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 1,000. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Nurseries list 400 to 500 hours and it fruits in low-chill California, though a lab test ranked it closer to standard apples. It blooms early, so watch spring frosts. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Dolgo Crabapple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 19 to Sep 1 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Dolgo Crabapple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Dolgo Crabapple are jams and jellies (9\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Dolgo Crabapple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Dolgo Crabapple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Dolgo Crabapple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":45224515240002,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/DolgoCrabapplesinthehand.jpg?v=1789598191"},{"product_id":"liberty-apple","title":"Liberty Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liberty Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Our notes have it taking -40°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,050 hours (850 to 1,150). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#liberty-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft or 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv 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\"\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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is an excellent choice for beginners and one of the best apples for Montana growers. It thrives in Rod McIver’s orchard in the colder part of Kalispell, which is a solid Zone 4. Introduced in 1978 by the NY Ag Experiment Station, Liberty is a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e and Purdue 54-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is one of the few apples resistant to all the major apple diseases. It does not suffer from the scab issues or pre-harvest drop that McIntosh is known for. Its resistance comes from the Vf Malus floribunda scab-resistant gene, making Liberty an extremely easy and reliable apple to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is essentially an improved McIntosh, though without the classic McIntosh aroma. We actually prefer it more than McIntosh—its flavor is excellent, balanced, and consistently good, making it a favorite among cold-climate growers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of cold hardiness, we rate Liberty as being comparable to McIntosh. It can withstand temperatures as low as -40°F, but anything colder than that might be too much for it. If you’re in an area that regularly experiences sub -40°F temperatures, you may want to consider other, more cold-hardy apple varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Availability for Spring 2027 Fulfillment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Liberty in several different grades and ages, grafted onto two different rootstocks:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBud 118 Rootstock:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dwarf hardy to -45°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy to -50°F, possibly -60°F. Full size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Liberty Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Liberty Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Liberty Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Liberty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Liberty Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Liberty Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,050 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 850 and 1,150. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Tested at about 1,050 chill hours, a bit below average for apples. It still needs a real winter, but that's never a problem in Montana. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#liberty-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Liberty Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Liberty Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Liberty Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Liberty Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Liberty Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Liberty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Liberty Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45133866991682,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45133875937346,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42500853497922,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45133866926146,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45133866958914,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/liberty-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"summercrisp-pear","title":"Summercrisp Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Summercrisp Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -45°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,000). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#summercrisp-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), mid spring here. Summercrisp needs a different pear nearby to set fruit. It makes lots of good pollen, so it is also one of the best early pollenizers for Beurre Giffard, Ure and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurré Giffard Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear\"\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 25 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Ussurian: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest pear species there is. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese pears have done very well at Rod McIver’s orchard off Rose Crossing in Kalispell, MT, where temperatures reached -35°F on 1\/12\/24. \u003cem\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/em\u003e showed no damage at these temps and has survived even colder conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTree Growth and Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tree is upright to spreading, fairly precocious, and very well spurred. It's considered an excellent pollenizer for early-ripening pears and has good resistance to fireblight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Quality and Hardiness Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruit is medium-sized and best eaten when crisp. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is hardy well into Zone 2, down to at least -45°F. However, Alaska growers in Fairbanks have not had success with these, as they’re hardy, but not quite to -45°F or colder. For that, we recommend the Russian pears.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTree Sizes and Rootstock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese trees come in multiple different sizes and are grafted onto OHxF87, and OHxF Mix, and Pyrus ussurienses, with the OHxF hardy to roughly -45°F, and the P. ussuriensis hardy to -50F or more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"is-empty\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"is-empty\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of University of Minnesota \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/trees.umn.edu\/summercrisp-pear-pyrus-summercrisp\"\u003e\u003cem\u003elink\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Summercrisp Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Summercrisp Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Summercrisp Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Summercrisp needs a different pear nearby to set fruit. It makes lots of good pollen, so it is also one of the best early pollenizers for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurre Giffard\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Ure Pear, Beurré Giffard Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Summercrisp Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Summercrisp Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Summercrisp Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Most listings say about 800 chill hours. It blooms early, so spring frost is a bigger risk than chill. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#summercrisp-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Summercrisp Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Summercrisp Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Summercrisp Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Ussurian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Summercrisp Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Summercrisp Pear are fresh eating (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Summercrisp Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Summercrisp Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45135329755202,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Semi-Dwarf OHxF mix: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42505021980738,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42505022079042,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135329787970,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Semi-Dwarf OHxF mix: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135329820738,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.(One Year Older)","offer_id":42505022111810,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 5-7 ft.(One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45135329853506,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/summercrisp-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021110"},{"product_id":"trailman-crab","title":"Trailman Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trailman Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 1 in our ratings, not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 1 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 1, colder half included. Our notes have it taking -47°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#trailman-crab\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft or 3-4 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail\u003c\/a\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Crab\u003c\/a\u003e (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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e and Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Trailman Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Trailman Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Trailman Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Trailman Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Trailman Applecrab hardy to zone 1. Our notes have it taking -47°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Trailman Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Morden applecrab bred for the prairies. Chill estimated around 700 hours and untested where winters are mild. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#trailman-crab\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Trailman Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Trailman Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Trailman Applecrab onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Trailman Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Trailman Applecrab are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Trailman Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Trailman Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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":"belle-de-boskoop-apple","title":"Belle de Boskoop Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Belle de Boskoop Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (800 to 1,000). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 101 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but since this is our first year with it they're based on published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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. It's 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, so it needs two other varieties with good pollen blooming nearby, and it ripens late in the season. Hardy to zone 4, so it will likely 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\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Belle de Boskoop Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Belle de Boskoop Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Belle de Boskoop Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Belle de Boskoop Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. This is our first year growing it, so that rating comes from other growers' reports and published sources, not our own winters. We'll adjust it once our trees have seen a few Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Belle de Boskoop Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Belle de Boskoop Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Belle de Boskoop Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Belle de Boskoop Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Belle de Boskoop Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Belle de Boskoop Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Since this is our first year with it, those scores come from published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Belle de Boskoop Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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 (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Pearmain Apple is an apple tree conservatively rated hardy to zone 4 (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hunt-russet-apple\"\u003eHunt Russet\u003c\/a\u003e, as a parent of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, 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, which is 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 style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Blue Pearmain” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Blue_Pearmain,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1957-210).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto: “Blue Pearmain” by Victuallers, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blue_Pearmain.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Blue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Blue Pearmain Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Blue Pearmain Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Blue Pearmain Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's a conservative call. It's rated USDA zone 4, and its seedling \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e came through -38°F in Kalispell without winter injury, but we haven't wintered our own Blue Pearmain yet. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Blue Pearmain Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Blue Pearmain Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Blue Pearmain Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Blue Pearmain Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Blue Pearmain Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Blue Pearmain Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Blue Pearmain Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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-apples-plate.jpg?v=1791636991"},{"product_id":"roxbury-russet-apple","title":"Roxbury Russet Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roxbury Russet Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 4 to 6. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 71 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e 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: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/9-22-end-apple\"\u003e9-22 End\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ashmeads-kernel-apple\"\u003eAshmead’s Kernel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empire-apple\"\u003eEmpire\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/freedom-apple\"\u003eFreedom\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, KinderKrisp, McIntosh, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mn-1628-apple\"\u003eMN 1628\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/paula-red\"\u003ePaula Red\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/spartan-apple\"\u003eSpartan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e\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\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Roxbury Russet Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Roxbury Russet Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Roxbury Russet Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 4 to 6. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Roxbury Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Roxbury Russet Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Roxbury Russet Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Roxbury Russet Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Roxbury Russet Apple onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Roxbury Russet Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Roxbury Russet Apple are winter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Roxbury Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Roxbury Russet Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Roxbury Russet Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 5-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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":"williams-pride-apple","title":"William's Pride Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e William's Pride Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 9. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 400 hours (300 to 800). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#williams-pride-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. Its bloom lasts a long time, so it often overlaps mid-season apples too, but its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 42 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant 14 to 18 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, all of our applecrabs, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, Dearbron's Unknown, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, McIntosh, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/yellow-transparent\"\u003eYellow Transparent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zestar-apple\"\u003eZestar\u003c\/a\u003e!, 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 style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Starr-201126-8570-Malus pumila-Williams Pride fruit mostly pau but few small ones left-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui (50859499313)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-201126-8570-Malus_pumila-Williams_Pride_fruit_mostly_pau_but_few_small_ones_left-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_(50859499313).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Starr-170909-0072-Malus pumila-Williams Pride flowers-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui - Flickr - Starr Environmental” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-170909-0072-Malus_pumila-Williams_Pride_flowers-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_-_Flickr_-_Starr_Environmental.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about William's Pride Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes William's Pride Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. William's Pride Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. Its bloom lasts a long time, so it often overlaps mid-season apples too, but its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is William's Pride Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate William's Pride Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does William's Pride Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 300 and 800. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at only 300 to 400 hours, unusually low for an apple. It blooms early, so frost is the bigger risk here. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#williams-pride-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does William's Pride Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does William's Pride Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft William's Pride Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 14 to 18 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is William's Pride Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for William's Pride Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat William's Pride Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect William's Pride Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791616154"},{"product_id":"ubileen-pear","title":"Ubileen Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ubileen Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ubileen-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Ubileen is not a solo pear, so plant a second variety such as Bartlett, Seckel, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or Summercrisp. Skip \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner, because Luscious pollen is sterile. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. OHxF 97: full size, about 18 to 25 ft tall unpruned. Vigorous, hardy and well anchored. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is an exceptionally early-season European pear with large, high-quality fruit and a reputation for standout flavor when harvested at the right stage and ripened off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is commonly described in North American nursery trade as a Bulgarian pear, and multiple sources consistently tie it to Bulgarian breeding and introduction work. According to scionwood notes reproduced in a discussion titled \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzz.com\/discussions\/1435318\/scionwood-from-ars-geneva\"\u003e“Scionwood from ARS Geneva”\u003c\/a\u003e, the cultivar is listed as “Ubileen Gift” (PI 392323), originating from the Institute for Fruit Growing, Kyustendil, Bulgaria, bred by Vasil Georgiev in 1957, introduced into the U.S. in 1974, and released in 1984, with parentage given as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e × Klementinka. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen also appears in USDA Plant Introduction records by name, including in Plant Inventory No. 183 (covering material introduced in 1975) where ‘Ubileen’ is listed among accessions introduced in that period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen fruit is typically large to very large, with yellow skin that can develop a red blush in sun. When picked mature-green and ripened off the tree, it tends to develop a buttery, fine texture with a sweet, aromatic flavor. Because it’s an early pear, it’s best treated like a “watch closely and pick on time” variety. If you let it fully soften on the tree, quality can drop fast. It’s excellent for fresh eating, and it also does well sliced and dried or turned into early-season pear sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen grows with a fairly vigorous, upright-to-spreading habit. Since we offer it on OHxF 97, you should plan on a near-standard pear tree unless you’re committing to regular pruning. In a home orchard, a practical spacing is often about 16–20 feet between trees if you want a full canopy with minimal training, or closer to 12–16 feet if you’ll prune annually to keep canopies narrower and improve light and airflow. Good light exposure will improve fruit finish and help keep the tree more productive and manageable over time. The other rootstock we have Ubileen on is OHxF 87, which is about 75% the size of a full vigor seedling pear tree. Same idea with spacing (12-16 ft.) although one could go even tighter for a higher density planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is not a “solo pear” and will need a partner to set fruit. The varieties of other pears we offer that will serve as pollen donors for Ubileen include the following: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sensation-bartlett-pear\"\u003eRed Sensation Bartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurré Giffard\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/savignac-pear\"\u003eSavignac\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is an early pear with excellent fruit quality, but it should not be treated like a bulletproof zone-2 Russian pear. Bob Purvis’ notes are especially useful here because he separates “tree hardiness” from “flower bud hardiness.” His take is that Ubileen is a standout for flavor in the Corvallis collection, but that its flower buds are not hardy below about -25°F, meaning it can be a great pear where the tree survives, yet still be crop-limited by brutal winter bud-kill or by spring frost in marginal sites. He lists it as a zone 4, as do other sources, and should not be planted in areas that can see sub-30°F temps. For Montana, this would mean that Ubileen could work in the warmer parts of Missoula such as in town\/up on a bench (certainly not where the frost settles by the river\/near Orchard Homes\/Kelly's Island, etc. It would work around Flathead Lake and in some areas up on benches\/out of the frost in the Bitterroot, Kalispell, Plains (including good microclimates from Dixon to Noxon). Shouldn't be planted anywhere in MT other than these places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ubileen Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ubileen Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Ubileen Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Ubileen is not a solo pear, so plant a second variety such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/a\u003e. Skip \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner, because Luscious pollen is sterile. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ubileen Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ubileen Pear hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ubileen Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ubileen-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ubileen Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Ubileen Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ubileen Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on OHxF 97. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ubileen Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ubileen Pear are fresh eating (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ubileen Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Ubileen Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":42508235374658,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42508235440194,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 97 Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45142710222914,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45142710255682,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 97 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42508235341890,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ubileen-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021269"},{"product_id":"seckel-pear","title":"Seckel Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seckel Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 30 to Oct 6 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 500 hours (500 to 800). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#seckel-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Seckel sets some fruit alone but does much better with D'Anjou, Bosc or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e. Do not count on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e or its red sport Red Sensation, since Bartlett pollen does not work on Seckel. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 28 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 6 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant 18 to 22 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-6 ft. One Year Older and Larger \u0026amp; More Branching or 6-7 ft. One Year Older and Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e 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. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sensation-bartlett-pear\"\u003eRed Sensation Bartlett\u003c\/a\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear\"\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eGiffard\u003c\/a\u003e, 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\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Seckel Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Seckel Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Seckel Pear is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Seckel sets some fruit alone but does much better with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eBosc\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e. Do not count on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e or its red sport Red Sensation, since Bartlett pollen does not work on Seckel. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, D'Anjou Pear, Golden Russet Bosc Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Seckel Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Seckel Pear hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Seckel Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 500 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. That comes from published figures for this variety. At about 500 hours, Seckel needs less winter chill than most European pears, so it also suits milder-winter areas. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#seckel-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Seckel Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 6 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Seckel Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Seckel Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 22 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Seckel Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Seckel Pear are fresh eating (9\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Seckel Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Seckel Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","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":"ivans-beauty-aronia-x-mtn-ash","title":"Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash is a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mountain-ash-bundle-of-2\"\u003emountain ash\u003c\/a\u003e tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (600 to 1,500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ivans-beauty-aronia-x-mtn-ash\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Ivan's Beauty sets fruit on its own, but crops can be spotty because it is only moderately self-fruitful. No tested pollenizer for it is known. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/baby-shipova-pear-x-mtn-ash\"\u003eBaby Shipova Pear x Mountain Ash\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#intergeneric-pome\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrnamental value (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNote: Only the second year we've grown this so all this info is second hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIvan’s Beauty, one of our newer plants, is a hardy intergeneric hybrid between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mountain-ash-bundle-of-2\"\u003emountain ash\u003c\/a\u003e (Sorbus aucuparia) and black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), often grouped under the hybrid name × Sorbaronia and sometimes associated with the name Likornaya. From the research we’ve done in creating this description, it traces back to breeding work attributed to Ivan Michurin and has been grown as a cold-climate edible ornamental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom what we have read about the variety, the dark purple fruit is generally considered better for culinary use than straight fresh eating. The flavor can be astringent or mealy when eaten out of hand, but it performs very well when processed into juice, jelly, sauces, syrups, and wine (often blended with other fruits to round it out). It’s also valued for nutritional density (often noted as high in vitamin C) and for adding color and body to blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIvan’s Beauty grows as a small tree or large shrub, typically around 8–10 feet tall, with showy clusters of light flowers and attractive foliage. It’s commonly described as low-maintenance and useful as a border\/hedgerow edible ornamental. It is generally considered self-fertile, so one plant can produce fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the research we’ve done and what we have read about the variety, Ivan’s Beauty is consistently rated as hardy to at least USDA Zone 3, which corresponds to mid-winter minimums around −40°F. That makes it a solid choice for cold climates where both mountain ash and aronia are already proven performers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA major reason people grow Ivan’s Beauty is that it combines ornamental value with real utility: spring flowers, attractive foliage, and heavy clusters of dark fruit that can apparently be turned for high-quality preserves and beverages even when fresh eating is not the primary goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage has been enhanced for resolution. Original image courtesy of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/uncommonfruit.cias.wisc.edu\/\" title=\"Ivan's Beauty Montana Fruit Tree Company Dale Secher Carandale Farm University of Wisconsin\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDale Secher at Carandale Farm (U. of Wisconsin)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Ivan's Beauty sets fruit on its own, but crops can be spotty because it is only moderately self-fruitful. No tested pollenizer for it is known. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/baby-shipova-pear-x-mtn-ash\"\u003eBaby Shipova Pear x Mountain Ash\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ivans-beauty-aronia-x-mtn-ash\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash are ornamental value (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Ivan's Beauty Aronia x Mtn. Ash ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-4 ft.","offer_id":42499281322050,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ivans-beauty-aronia-mountain-ash-fruit.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"black-oxford-apple","title":"Black Oxford Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Oxford Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b from other growers' reports (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Rod McIver's tree in Kalispell came through -38°F without winter injury. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-oxford-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), hard cider (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew to us this year, so what follows comes from the historical record and from growers in Maine, New England and Montana rather than from our own trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Oxford is the keeper other keepers get measured against. It is a dark purple apple that looks almost black on the tree, and it will sit in a cold room until spring and get better while it does it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt originated in Paris, Maine, on Paris Hill, around 1790, and it was a staple across Maine and northern New England through the whole nineteenth century. Like a lot of the great old keepers it fell out of commerce when refrigeration made storage quality less valuable, and it survived because Maine growers refused to let it go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized, round, with deep purple skin under a heavy bloom. The flesh is firm and dense, tart at harvest and noticeably sweeter after a couple of months in storage. Fresh out of the orchard it is unremarkable. Eaten in February it is excellent, which is the whole point of the variety. It bakes well, holds up in pies, dries well, and it presses into a good cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. It is a vigorous, long-lived tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Oxford needs a pollenizer and blooms mid to late. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e and most of our crabapples overlap well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 3b based on how far north it has been grown in Maine and the Maritimes. Closer to home, Rod McIver's Black Oxford in Kalispell came through -38F without any winter injury. We have not put our own trees through a Montana winter yet, so give it a decent site while we build our own record on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Black Oxford itself. Photos of Black Oxford are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by Marek Studzinski, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-red-apple-hanging-from-a-tree-branch-X08MKrc-bLs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “PI 157052 Black Oxford fruit (GMAL 794)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1137647\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Oxford Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Oxford Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Black Oxford Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Oxford Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Black Oxford Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. That's based on its record in Maine and the Maritimes, and Rod McIver's tree in Kalispell came through -38°F without winter injury. We haven't wintered our own trees yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Black Oxford Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-oxford-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Black Oxford Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Black Oxford Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Black Oxford Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Oxford Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Oxford Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on the historical record and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Oxford Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Black Oxford Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156102242370,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156102275138,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1715253853924-4a29c92f9070.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"product_id":"kandil-sinap-apple","title":"Kandil Sinap Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kandil Sinap Apple is an apple tree provisionally listed at zone 4 (winters to -30°F, but see Cold Hardiness below), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 7 to Oct 21 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (400 to 900). Our estimate. Nurseries say it's lower chill than most apples but haven't measured it. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kandil-sinap-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 7 to Oct 21 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Kandil Sinap, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKandil Sinap is an old Crimean apple with a shape you won't mistake for anything else. The fruit is tall and narrow, and the tree grows the same way, upright and slim. Raintree says it looks more like a pear tree than an apple. The flesh is snow-white, sweet and perfumed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe UK's National Fruit Collection says it's thought to have originated in Crimea in the early 1800s. A 1906 Russian fruit atlas (Atlas plodov) calls it native to Crimea and limited to Crimea, and says it compared in quality to the Sary Sinap, though its high price made it mostly a table fruit. Some American nurseries say it came from Turkey instead, and Cummins hedges with \"Crimea or Turkey.\" The name is usually explained from the Crimean Tatar, where kandil means lamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized and tall, with a pale whitish-yellow skin and an orange flush. The National Fruit Collection describes the flesh as \"crisp, snow-white\" with a \"sweet, slightly vinous and perfumed flavour,\" and Cummins calls it sweet, perfumed, juicy and crisp. It's harvested around mid-October. Cummins says it keeps well, and a couple of growers put it at about four months in the fridge. It's mainly a fresh-eating apple, but it bakes well too. Albemarle CiderWorks notes that it bruises easily, so handle it gently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. Cummins says it bears heavily every year, but a grower citing Russian sources says it tends to crop every two to three years. Raintree recommends thinning to keep it from going biennial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer and blooms mid-season. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one to be careful with. Cummins rates it zones 6 to 9, and other nurseries put it at zone 5. A grower citing Russian sources says it was grown around Kiev, which is roughly zone 5, but not around Moscow. We haven't found any record of it surviving a real cold winter, so until we've wintered our own trees, plant it in your warmest spot and don't count on it much below -20F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eIllustration: Kandil Sinap, plate 62 of the Russian fruit atlas Atlas plodov (1906), edited by A.S. Grebnitsky, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:1906._%D0%90%D1%82%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81_%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2._62._%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BF.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Kandil 1” by Kosun, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Kandil_1.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Kandil 2” by Kosun, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Kandil_2.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Канділь-Синап. Лютіж-сади, Київська область. 2015” by Ejensyd, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%96%D0%BB%D1%8C-%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BF._%D0%9B%D1%8E%D1%82%D1%96%D0%B6-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8,_%D0%9A%D0%B8%D1%97%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C._2015.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Kandil Sinap Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Kandil Sinap Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kandil Sinap Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Kandil Sinap Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Kandil Sinap Apple at zone 4 for now, but published ratings run zone 5 to 6 and we haven't wintered our own trees yet. Until we have, plant it in your warmest spot and don't count on it much below -20°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Kandil Sinap Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 900. Nurseries say it's lower chill than most apples but nobody has measured it, so that's our estimate from its Crimean origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kandil-sinap-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Kandil Sinap Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 7 to Oct 21 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Kandil Sinap Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Kandil Sinap Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Kandil Sinap Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Kandil Sinap Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Kandil Sinap Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Kandil Sinap Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156139270210,"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":45156139302978,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/kandil-sinap-apples-bowl.jpg?v=1791615536"},{"product_id":"harrow-sweet-pear","title":"Harrow Sweet Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harrow Sweet Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (800 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Harrow Sweet needs a pollenizer. Bartlett blooms with it and the two pollenize each other well. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Harrow Sweet, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarrow Sweet is a Canadian pear bred for fire blight resistance. It's a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e-type pear that ripens three to four weeks after Bartlett and keeps into the winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came out of Agriculture Canada's research station in Harrow, Ontario, from a cross of Bartlett and Purdue 80-51. Cummins says it was introduced in 1996 by R.E.C. Layne and H.A. Quamme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is yellow with a red blush, sweet and juicy, and Cummins and Purvis agree on that. It ripens about three to four weeks after Bartlett. It keeps well, about ten weeks according to Cummins and about three months in cold storage according to Purvis, and Cummins calls it \"a true winter pear.\" Cummins lists it for fresh eating, baking and canning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on OHxF 87 semi-dwarf rootstock, which runs about 75% the size of a full size pear. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 feet if you're committed to pruning, or up to 18 feet for more room. Cummins describes a medium-sized, upright-spreading, reliably annual tree that's precocious and productive and usually needs heavy thinning. On fire blight, Cummins rates it very resistant and Purvis calls it resistant. Richard Bell of the USDA found it only moderately resistant in West Virginia and noted it seemed more susceptible there than in Canada. Cummins also says it resists mildew but is somewhat susceptible to scab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarrow Sweet is not self-fertile, per Cummins, so it needs another pear nearby. It blooms mid-season, so \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vermont-beauty-pear\"\u003eVermont Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/waterville-pear\"\u003eWaterville\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e will work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis reports it hardy in southwest Minnesota to at least -34F, and Cummins rates it zones 4 to 8. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1020106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 617562\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work). Cropped from the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAdditional photo: “PI 617562 Harrow Sweet plant, 8-28-2021” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1020106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Harrow Sweet Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Harrow Sweet Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Harrow Sweet Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e blooms with it and the two pollenize each other well. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Harrow Sweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Harrow Sweet Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it hardy to at least -34°F in southwest Minnesota, and Cummins's zone 4 rating, not from our own winters yet. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Harrow Sweet Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at 800 to 1,000 chill hours, and researchers use it as a high-chill pear. Skip it where winters are mild. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Harrow Sweet Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Harrow Sweet Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Harrow Sweet Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Harrow Sweet Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Harrow Sweet Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Harrow Sweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Harrow Sweet Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45178275463234,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178275496002,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/harrow-sweet-pear-fruit.jpg?v=1790183963"},{"product_id":"honeysweet-pear","title":"Honeysweet Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeysweet Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 4 to Sep 12 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Bob Purvis reports it hardy to at least -35°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,200 hours (700 to 1,500). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeysweet-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Honeysweet is self-fertile and can crop alone, but another pear that blooms with it, such as Bartlett or Seckel, will improve the crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 4 to Sep 12 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Honeysweet, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneysweet is a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e-type pear from Purdue, bigger than Seckel with the same rich, very sweet flavor, and it has good fire blight resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to its plant patent (Jules Janick, Purdue Research Foundation, 1979), it came from a 1955 cross of Seckel and a selection called US 220, made by L.F. Hough at Rutgers. The seedlings were planted at Purdue in 1956 and screened for fire blight, and a few were lost to severe winters along the way. This one first fruited in 1967 and was picked out in 1969. US 220 is itself a cross of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vermont-beauty-pear\"\u003eVermont Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e and Roi Charles de Wurtemberg, so Vermont Beauty is a grandparent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patent describes fruit about 2¼ to 2½ inches across that ripens to a golden russet, with flesh that's \"very smooth and buttery with no detectable grit.\" The flavor \"is rich, very sweet, and resembles 'Seckel.'\" Bob Purvis says it's larger and keeps better than Seckel. It ripens about a week after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e. Purvis has it ripe around September 4 in east-central Minnesota. Cummins says it stores one to three months and lists it for fresh eating and canning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on OHxF 87 semi-dwarf rootstock, which runs about 75% the size of a full size pear. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 feet if you're committed to pruning, or up to 18 feet for more room. The tree is spreading, and Cummins says it bears in four to six years. On fire blight, the patent says \"the tree takes fireblight but strikes typically cork-off in 1 or 2 year old wood,\" and rates it at least as resistant as Kieffer. The patent also notes it holds its leaves without spraying for leaf spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneysweet can set fruit alone. The patent says it sets fruit without a pollenizer, but the pears are smaller, so you'll get bigger fruit with another variety nearby. Its pollen is fertile, so it's a good pollenizer for other pears too. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, Vermont Beauty, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/waterville-pear\"\u003eWaterville\u003c\/a\u003e all bloom in its window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis reports Honeysweet hardy to at least -35F, which supports our zone 4 listing with a little room to spare. Cummins is more cautious and rates it zone 5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eRepresentative illustration, not Honeysweet itself: Seckel, Honeysweet's parent. Honeysweet is larger and ripens to a golden russet. Illustration: “Seckel” by J. Marion Shull, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00007296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00007296\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Honeysweet itself. Photos of Honeysweet are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Seckel Pears” by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/9106303@N05\/10786231434\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Honeysweet Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Honeysweet Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Honeysweet Pear is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit, but another pear that blooms with it, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, will give bigger fruit and a better crop. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Honeysweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Honeysweet Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it hardy to at least -35°F, not from our own winters yet. Cummins is more cautious and rates it zone 5. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Honeysweet Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,200 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,500. That comes from published figures for this variety. Stark lists 1,200 to 1,500 chill hours, high for a pear. Fine in cold-winter country, but not for mild-winter areas. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeysweet-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Honeysweet Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 4 to Sep 12 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Honeysweet Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Honeysweet Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Honeysweet Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Honeysweet Pear are fresh eating (8\/10). Since we're still new to it, that score leans on the patent and Purvis's notes rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Honeysweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Honeysweet Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178277167170,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-russet-seckel-pears.jpg?v=1791615560"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/fire-blight-resistant-fruit-trees\/pear-tree.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}