{"title":"Late-Blooming Fruit Trees","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit trees that bloom late for their kind. In cold country it's usually a late frost that takes the crop, not the winter, and every few days of later bloom improves your odds. If you're in a frost pocket or a valley bottom, start here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about late bloomers and frost\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eLate is relative. A late apricot like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wayne-apricot\"\u003eWayne\u003c\/a\u003e still blooms before most apples leaf out, so apricots always want your warmest, best-drained spot. Late apricots on the list include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harlayne-apricot\"\u003eHarlayne\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/late-blooming-apple-trees\"\u003eapples\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e are good bets. Sweet cherries \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e all bloom late, and so do \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e plums. For peaches, look at \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar\u003c\/a\u003e. Late pears include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSite matters more than variety. Cold air pours downhill and pools in low spots, so a tree halfway up a slope can miss a frost that kills the bloom in the bottom. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/microclimate-maps\"\u003emicroclimate maps\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-our-microclimate-maps-work\"\u003ehow they work\u003c\/a\u003e help you read your own ground. Pair late bloomers with other late bloomers so their bloom overlaps, and check the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-maps\"\u003epollination maps\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat fruit trees bloom late enough to miss spring frost?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothing is frost proof, but late bloomers like Northern Spy and Wealthy apples, Black Gold sweet cherry, Superior plum and Zard apricot give you better odds than early ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the latest-blooming apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard and Wayne bloom very late for apricots. Precious, Dr 606, Alice Sharp and Harlayne bloom late too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat should I plant in a frost pocket?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate bloomers, and plant them as high on the slope as you can. Skip apricots in the low spots entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"arkansas-black","title":"Arkansas Black Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arkansas Black Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°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 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our trees came through -38°F in Corvallis, Montana in January 2024. 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 (500 to 800). 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#arkansas-black\"\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. Some sources call it a triploid, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree until that's settled. 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\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\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/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, 3-4 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 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eArkansas Black: A Striking, Hardy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black produces a medium-sized fruit with dark red skin, so dark it’s nearly black. The flesh is firm, white, juicy, and crisp, offering a well-balanced, pleasant flavor. It’s excellent for fresh eating and also makes great juice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eStorage and Shelf Life\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black is a heavy-bearing, vigorous tree and a solid zone 3 for us. The apples are known for their excellent storage capabilities. In our experience, the apples retained their firmness 3–4 months after harvest, though they did lose some tartness over time. Despite that, they remained fairly sweet and very edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eAnother strong point for Arkansas Black is its resistance to cedar-apple rust, along with some resistance to scab and fireblight, a big plus for growers in areas prone to these common apple diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArkansas Black is a solid zone 3 for us, and here is why. Our trees at Canyon View Nursery in Corvallis, Montana came through -38°F the night of January 12, 2024, when an arctic air mass poured south out of Canada into the Bitterroot. That kind of cold is the hardest test a tree gets. It moves in as a whole air mass on the wind, so there is no layer of warmer air overhead and slope and air drainage can't spare a tree the way they do on a still, clear night. Coming through that is why we moved it from 3b to a full zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWe have grafted this onto B118 for Spring 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eNote: Arkansas Black is not recommended for planting in Eastern Montana, Alaska, or any region where winter temperatures regularly drop below -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Arkansas black apple” by Calstanhope, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Arkansas_black_apple.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; “Starr-160103-3379-Malus pumila-Arkansas Black fruit-Piiholo-Maui (26673327260)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-160103-3379-Malus_pumila-Arkansas_Black_fruit-Piiholo-Maui_(26673327260).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/us\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0 us\u003c\/a\u003e; “Starr-160103-3382-Malus pumila-Arkansas Black fruit with bite-Piiholo-Maui (26946830615)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-160103-3382-Malus_pumila-Arkansas_Black_fruit_with_bite-Piiholo-Maui_(26946830615).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/us\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0 us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Arkansas Black Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Arkansas Black Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Arkansas Black 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. Some sources call it a triploid, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree until that's settled. 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 Arkansas Black Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Arkansas Black Apple hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our own trees came through -38°F in Corvallis, Montana in January 2024. 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 Arkansas Black Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Listed at 500 to 600 chill hours, low for an apple, so it also suits milder winters. Montana winters cover it easily. 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#arkansas-black\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Arkansas Black Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Arkansas Black 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 Arkansas Black Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Arkansas Black Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Arkansas Black Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Arkansas Black Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Arkansas Black 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: 3-4 ft or 4-6 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45124758929474,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124758962242,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/arkansas-black-apple.jpg?v=1791615010"},{"product_id":"black-gold-cherry-1","title":"Black Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a sweet cherry), and it ripens about Jul 17 to Jul 29 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). Our notes have it taking -33°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 (700 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#black-gold-cherry-1\"\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 6 of 7 (late), mid spring here. Black Gold is self-fertile and will crop on its own. Because it blooms late, it is the best pollenizer in our lineup for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, which also blooms late and needs a partner. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goldcherry-4aefh\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 17 to Jul 29 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\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. Mahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. \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), pollenizing other trees (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\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. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. 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 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBlack Gold is one of the most cold-hardy sweet cherries, having survived temperatures as low as -33°F. We used to rank Black Gold third in cold hardiness amongst sweet cherries, only behind \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, but we've found that \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e actually surpasses Black Gold and White Gold in terms of winter survival. Still Black Gold has fared well in the cold compared to many other varieties of sweet cherries we've grown in MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile and Ideal Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis cherry variety delivers a distinct sweet cherry flavor with notes of honey and a delightful splash of tanginess. It’s perfect for fresh eating and adds a delicious topping to ice cream. Black Gold typically ripens in July, making it a great summer treat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSelf-Fertility and Pollination Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eBlack Gold is a self-fertile variety, meaning it doesn’t require another cherry tree for pollination. However, it is also an excellent pollenizer for other sweet cherry varieties, earning the reputation of being a \"universal\" pollenizer. Its bloom time overlaps with many other sweet cherries, making it a valuable addition to any orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLate Blooming and Cold Climate Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOne of the key advantages of Black Gold is its late blooming nature. This helps protect the tree from late spring frosts that can damage early-blooming varieties, making it ideal for colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThe fruit of Black Gold shows resistance to cracking, and the tree itself exhibits significant tolerance to canker, a common issue in cherry orchards. This makes Black Gold a must-have for anyone planting a Montana sweet cherry orchard. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4a\/3b in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGrafting Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Black Gold cherries are grafted onto two full-size rootstocks, Mazzard and Mahaleb. Both come in a regular grade and a larger, more branched grade (all 5-7 ft. and pruned to 5 ft. for shipping).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Hans Braxmeier under CC 2.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Black Gold Sweet Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Black Gold is self-fertile and will crop on its own. Because it blooms late, it is the best pollenizer in our lineup for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, which also blooms late and needs a partner. Partners we carry include Gold Sweet Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Black Gold Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -33°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 Black Gold Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Late bloom is Black Gold's big advantage in frosty valleys. Its chill need is moderate and easily met 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#black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Black Gold Sweet Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 17 to Jul 29 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 Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Black Gold Sweet Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Mahaleb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Gold Sweet Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Black Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":42617082314818,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":42617082347586,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45152004767810,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":45152004800578,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/black-gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789019220"},{"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":"gold-sweet-cherry","title":"Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a sweet cherry).\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). Our notes have it taking -38°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 (700 to 1,100). 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#gold-sweet-cherry\"\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 6 of 7 (late), mid spring here. Gold is not self-fertile, so plant a second sweet cherry that blooms late. Black Gold lines up best with it, and White Gold overlaps the front of its bloom. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry 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\u003eG12: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Gisela 12, bears very young. \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\u003ePollenizing other trees (7\/10), fresh 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\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. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. 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 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is one of our most reliable and productive cherry varieties. According to Bob Purvis, it is considered the hardiest of all sweet cherry cultivars, withstanding temperatures as low as -38°F in River Falls, WI. This variety is also an excellent pollenizer, making it a great companion for most other sweet cherry trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Survival\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e were the only sweet cherry varieties that survived our extreme -10°F fall temperature several years ago. This variety is easily one of the best performers in colder climates, as it can handle severe winter conditions better than most.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Characteristics and Ease of Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe fruit of Gold Cherry is firm, golden-yellow in color, and is known for its disease resistance and resistance to cracking. The yellow fruit is less attractive to birds, who tend to prefer red cherries, making Gold Cherry easier to protect and grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWith a hint of tang, Gold Cherry offers the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. It’s a great choice for first-time cherry growers and anyone looking to grow cherries in colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePollination and Yield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is not self-fertile, so it needs another sweet cherry that blooms late planted nearby to set fruit. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e lines up best with its bloom, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e overlaps the front of it. Lapins is another good partner, and we believe it's the second-hardiest sweet cherry we've grown, right behind Gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock, Spacing, and Cold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese trees are grafted onto semi-standard Gisela 12, which is about as hardy as Gold will survive down to. We're unsure whether G12 can survive temperatures below -40°F. However, even if it can, its hardiness would ultimately be limited by Gold itself, which is only known to have survived down to -38°F, making the distinction moot. As for spacing, this entirely depends on the goals of the grower. If one is attempting a higher density system with more production per unit area, then 6-10 ft (or less if trellised). However, for most backyard growers, 15-18 ft. should be just fine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is hardy to USDA Zone 3b or Zone 3a in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Gold Sweet Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Gold is not self-fertile, so plant a second sweet cherry that blooms late. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e lines up best with it, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e overlaps the front of its bloom. Partners we carry include Black Gold Sweet Cherry, White Gold Sweet Cherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Gold Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -38°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 Gold Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,100. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. One of the hardiest sweet cherries, and a late bloomer. Montana's winters cover its chill with room to spare. 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#gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Gold Sweet Cherry onto G12 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Gold Sweet Cherry are pollenizing other trees (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Gold Sweet Cherry 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. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. 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":"G12 Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42499168862274,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"G12 Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45152019677250,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"honeycrisp","title":"Honeycrisp Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeycrisp Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°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 Sep 8 to Sep 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 2b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -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 850 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#honeycrisp\"\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\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford 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 Sep 8 to Sep 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\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. G890: semi-dwarf, about 11 to 16 ft tall unpruned. \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), winter storage (9\/10), salads and slicing (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\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 5-6 ft or 5-7 ft or 5-7 ft. Larger and 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\u003eHoneycrisp has become one of the best-selling apples in the U.S. Since its creation by University of Minnesota breeders, Honeycrisp has been lauded for its winter hardiness and its ability to produce large, high-quality fruit. It quickly gained popularity, particularly in temperate regions like Washington and Oregon, but colder climate growers have had success with it, particularly here in western Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Honeycrisp apple is known for its aromatic sweetness, with a honey-like flavor and a juicy, crisp texture that has made it a consumer favorite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness – A Relative Concept\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpdated 2024: While Honeycrisp is often considered cold-hardy, its hardiness is relative. It may be well-suited to regions like New York or parts of the Midwest, but in parts of Montana where temperatures can drop below -45°F, which is much of the state east of the continental divide, Honeycrisp does not perform well. This has been our observation in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, on Robert Narotsky’s farm in Bozeman, Honeycrisp suffered serious frost damage to the trunk after exposure to -50°F. Similarly, on Ed Schultz’s farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT, the apple saw -47°F, resulting in serious limb damage that made its way into the trunk. If your region experiences temperatures below -45°F, we do not recommend planting Honeycrisp. Final note, it's Ed Schultz' experience that Honeycrisp along with many of the University of Minnesota apples (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zestar-apple\"\u003eZestar\u003c\/a\u003e!, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sweet-sixteen-apple\"\u003eSweet Sixteen\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/snowsweet-apple\"\u003eSnowsweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u0026amp; others) take awhile to shut down and can get wiped out by Montana's brutal early Fall frosts. Ed has a massive pile of dead University of Minnesota apple trees in the back of his farm from these Fall frosts he experienced in 2019 and 2020. Meanwhile, these University of MN apples all did fine in most of Western Montana's early Fall frosts during this time period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Availability for 2027\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we offer Honeycrisp trees on a few different rootstocks based on your location and climate:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDolgo Rootstock:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for areas where winters dip below -40°F and even -50°F, offering better cold hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpy 227: \u003c\/strong\u003eFull size, hardy to at least -45°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eG890: \u003c\/strong\u003eSemi-Dwarf and disease resistant rootstock, but likely not hardy below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Honeycrisp apples” by MikeyMoose, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Honeycrisp_apples.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; “Honeycrisp apple tree” by MikeyMoose, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Honeycrisp_apple_tree.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; “Honeycrisp-Apple” by Evan-Amos, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Honeycrisp-Apple.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; “Honeycrisp apple orchard” by MikeyMoose, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Honeycrisp_apple_orchard.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 Honeycrisp Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Honeycrisp Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Honeycrisp 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\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford 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 Honeycrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Honeycrisp Apple hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -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 Honeycrisp Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 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. Nurseries list 800 to 1,000 chill hours. Not a pick for mild-winter climates, but Montana winters cover it easily. 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#honeycrisp\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Honeycrisp Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 8 to Sep 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 Honeycrisp Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Honeycrisp Apple onto Spy 227 (full size). Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, G890.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Honeycrisp Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Honeycrisp Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), winter storage (9\/10), salads and slicing (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Honeycrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Honeycrisp 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":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499230728258,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 5-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499230793794,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499230695490,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"G890 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. Larger and More Branching","offer_id":45133403029570,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/honeycrisp-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615421"},{"product_id":"mn-1628-apple","title":"MN 1628 Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e MN 1628 Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (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 an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 9 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 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 1,050 hours (800 to 1,300). 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#mn-1628-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. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \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 27 to Oct 9 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\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh 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\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\u003eMN 1628 is a new variety for us. We started growing it in spring 2025. You might be wondering about the name. This apple comes from the University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program, where all experimental seedlings are given numerical designations until they are officially named (if ever).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e was originally known as MN 1711, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, developed in 1920, was labeled MN 447 until it was formally released in 2008. Interestingly, MN 1628 is a sibling of Keepsake, which is a parent of Honeycrisp. In turn, Frostbite is a parent of Keepsake, placing MN 1628 within the same distinguished genetic lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription and Flavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Bob Purvis, who provided the scionwood we used for grafting, MN 1628 is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Quite similar in many respects to Keepsake, ripens slightly earlier (early October in Western Montana), tree more vigorous, spreading growth habit. Red stripes over yellow-ocher background, with yellowish flesh, complex sweet flavor, dense flesh, keeps till late spring.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob also shared that MN 1628 became the favorite apple of his late wife, Connie, even surpassing Fuji.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe estimate the cold hardiness of MN 1628 to fall between -40°F and -45°F, placing it slightly hardier than McIntosh, but not as hardy as ultra-cold varieties like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll\u003c\/a\u003e, or the apple crabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes MN 1628 a solid choice for many Zone 3 to 4 growers, but not recommended for locations with sub -45°F winter lows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Tree Availability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have grafted MN 1628 onto Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. In our experience, Bud 118 is significantly hardier, even than Antonovka, as Bud 118 has seen near -50F without showing any rootstock damage (although there was snow on the ground when these numbers were obtained at Ed Schultz' farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: MN 1628 ripens too late for growers with a very short growing season, such as those near Anchorage, AK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about MN 1628 Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes MN 1628 Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. MN 1628 Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 MN 1628 Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list MN 1628 Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from Bob Purvis and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does MN 1628 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 800 and 1,300. 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#mn-1628-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does MN 1628 Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 9 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 MN 1628 Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft MN 1628 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 MN 1628 Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for MN 1628 Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Bob Purvis's notes 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 MN 1628 Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect MN 1628 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":42500887281730,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mn-1628-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"northern-spy-apple","title":"Northern Spy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Spy 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 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 8 to Nov 7 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 -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 1,100 hours (1,000 to 1,250). 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#northern-spy-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\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp 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 8 to Nov 7 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 (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (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\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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy – A Firm, Flavorful Classic and Breeding Powerhouse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy was one of the favorite apples of our mentor, Rod McIver. Rod grew it up in Kalispell, where the climate is slightly colder and the growing season shorter than in Missoula. As a late-season variety, Northern Spy was just on the edge of being able to ripen in time for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Rod:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eExcellent flavor and firmness, a personal favorite. Many great apples have been derived from it, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, Sweet 16, Keepsake, etc. Seldom ripens on the tree before the last frost; however, the fruits can be picked and ripen in storage, and they keep very well.\u003c\/em\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRipening and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Northern Spy often struggles to ripen fully on the tree before the first frost, it is known for ripening well off the tree and storing beautifully. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a late apple that can develop flavor in storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Northern Spy on Bud 118, a semi-dwarf rootstock (in our soils\/climate in MT) that is hardy to roughly -50F (possibly more if there is consistent snow cover).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credits: “Northern Spy on tree” and “Cross section of Northern Spy” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via Wikimedia Commons (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Northern_Spy_on_tree,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Northern_Spy,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e2\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\"\u003eIllustration: “Northern Spy” by Amanda Almira Newton, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00000596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00000596\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “A tisket, a tasket I bought Northern Spies in a basket. #michiganapples #northernspies #apples #applesauce #applepie” by Kate Ter Haar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/katerha\/52466004271\/\" 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; “PI 588872, Malus domestica, Northern Spy - Flower in Branch” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1004166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “johnny apple” by katie hargrave, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/khargrav\/2942448293\/\" 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 Northern Spy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Northern Spy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Northern Spy 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\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Northern Spy Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -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 Northern Spy Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,100 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,000 and 1,250. 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#northern-spy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Northern Spy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 8 to Nov 7 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 Northern Spy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Northern Spy 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 Northern Spy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Northern Spy Apple are pies and baking (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Northern Spy 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":42518934028354,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134156693570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northern-spy-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"pipestone-plum","title":"Pipestone Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pipestone Plum is a plum 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 hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 29 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 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -38°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#pipestone-plum\"\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), early spring here. Pipestone needs a different hybrid plum nearby. Toka, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or South Dakota work well. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 10 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum 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 29 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\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Native Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull 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 (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), sauce and butter (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 4-6 ft or 6-8 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;\"\u003ePipestone was selected in 1928 and released in 1942 by the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm at Excelsior. Its parentage is Burbank, a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), crossed with Wolf, a hardy \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. It belongs to the Japanese by American hybrid line Minnesota started in 1908, and no European plum is involved. Over 80 years later, people are still growing this hardy, tasty, yellow-fleshed plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor and Fruit Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhen we tried Pipestone several years ago, we were taken aback at their size—most coming in slightly under 2\" in diameter. And their flavor was really good: sweet yellow flesh with slightly tart skin. They ripened in early September for us in Missoula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEven when some of the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/italian-plum\"\u003eItalian plums\u003c\/a\u003e in town—which are typically fairly hardy—had suffered tip damage, Pipestone didn’t show any signs of damage. We’ve seen Pipestone growing in places that can hit -38°F, like a cold part of Stevensville in the Bitterroot. There wasn’t any noticeable damage on the tree after it saw those temps on 1\/12\/2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn short, Pipestone is a super-productive, tasty plum that we know has survived down to -38°F. Some even list it as surviving down to -50°F, although we don’t have direct experience with that ourselves—we just haven’t seen any trees planted where it gets that cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpring 2027 Availability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese plums come in several different rootstock\/sizes for Spring 2027. They are either on Native plum, which is likely slightly hardier, and tends to produce a semi-dwarf tree in our dry, alkaline soils and harsh climate. However, key word there is 'tends'. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWe have found that there is some natural variation in the size of Native Plum as a rootstock (and in general as a stand along tree) as these plants are grown from seed. However, the other rootstock we have grafted Pipestone onto is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e, which is far more uniform according to Dan Sheild, produces a semi-dwarf tree, and is hardy to around -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Pipestone Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Pipestone Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Pipestone Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Pipestone needs a different hybrid plum nearby. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e work well. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Pipestone Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Pipestone Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -38°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 Pipestone Plum 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. 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#pipestone-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Pipestone Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 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 Pipestone Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Pipestone Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Native Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Pipestone Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Pipestone Plum are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Pipestone Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Pipestone Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134355464258,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134355497026,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134355529794,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42503442333762,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134355562562,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pipestone-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"risingstar-peach","title":"Risingstar Peach (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Risingstar Peach is a peach tree rated hardy to zone 4b in our ratings (winters to -25°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 1 to Aug 5 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 4b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 4 only (winters to -25°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 950 hours (750 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#risingstar-peach\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach 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 1 to Aug 5 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\u003eKrymsk 86: full size. \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), salads and slicing (6\/10), sauce and butter (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\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, 3-4 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\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOne of Tom McCamant’s favorites at Forbidden Fruit Orchard in Montana. Even though the books don’t tend to list this variety as hardy along with others, they probably should. The tree is of medium vigor—hardy and productive—with good resistance to bacterial spot and peach canker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Set, Flavor \u0026amp; Unique Traits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlower buds and blossoms are very hardy, resulting in heavy fruit set and requiring diligent thinning to get decent fruit size. Fruits average 2-1\/2” and larger. The skin is 80% bright orange-red. Flesh is firm and melting, with a pleasing sugar-to-acid ratio. It’s non-browning and semi-freestone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFreestone. Hardy to zone 5 and possibly protected zone 4 sites. It may be able to survive -30°F. Our suspicion is that this may be hardier than Reliance but less hardy than \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender\u003c\/a\u003e—certainly less hardy than \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTrees are 3-4 ft. tall and grafted onto Krymsk 86 full size rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Risingstar Peach\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Risingstar Peach need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Risingstar Peach is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Risingstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Risingstar Peach hardy to zone 4b, which means winters down to about -25°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 Risingstar Peach need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 950 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 950. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at 950 hours by USDA crop insurance, easily met in Montana. It blooms early for a peach, so keep it out of frost pockets. 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#risingstar-peach\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Risingstar Peach ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 1 to Aug 5 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 Risingstar Peach get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Risingstar Peach onto Krymsk 86 (full size).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Risingstar Peach good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Risingstar Peach are fresh eating (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Risingstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Risingstar Peach 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":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":43014486163522,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/risingstar-peach-on-tree.webp?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"siberian-peach","title":"Siberian C Peach (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C Peach\u003c\/a\u003e is a peach tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a peach or nectarine).\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 850 hours (600 to 1,100). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. 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#siberian-peach\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Peaches are almost always self-fertile, so a single tree should set fruit. Because this line is grown from seed, a second tree is good insurance. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root 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), 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\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, 3-4 ft or 4-5 ft or 5-6 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;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWith genetics that trace back to the harsh Gobi Desert region of Mongolia and China, these are \u003cem\u003ehands down\u003c\/em\u003e the most hardy peaches that we know of. They’re the only peach that even has a chance of surviving in zone 3. Hardy to at least -35°F, according to Miekal from Driftless Sacred Grove, who has been breeding these for the last 30 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThey saw -35°F on two separate occasions during 2012 and 2018 in Wisconsin, and the trees showed no signs of winter damage. Their flower buds were, however, damaged at those temps. The trees also went undamaged after 55 consecutive days below 0°F in Wisconsin during 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eAntifreeze Tested \u0026amp; Field Proven\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWe started growing these several years back, and when we attempted our Antifreeze Selection methods on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C\u003c\/a\u003e (deliberately freezing and thawing the seeds many times at the seed and 1st-year potted stage), none of them died—which was a serious testament to their hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese are grown from 5th-generation selections of Siberian C by Miekal of Driftless Sacred Grove out of La Farge, Wisconsin, from 3rd–4th generation mother trees originally from Bear Creek Nursery (1992). Over the years, Miekal has been selecting for larger size, less mealiness, and improved juiciness and flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSummary \u0026amp; Tree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFreestone. Hardy to zone -38F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Siberian C Peach\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Siberian C Peach need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C Peach\u003c\/a\u003e is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Peaches are almost always self-fertile, so a single tree should set fruit. Because this line is grown from seed, a second tree is good insurance. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Siberian C Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Siberian C Peach 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 Siberian C Peach need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,100. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Siberian C. 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#siberian-peach\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Siberian C Peach get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Siberian C Peach onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Siberian C Peach good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Siberian C Peach are fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Siberian C Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Siberian C Peach now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Siberian C Peach 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: 3-4 ft or 4-5 ft or 5-6 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42504573878338,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 4-5 ft.","offer_id":42504573911106,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 5-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42504573943874,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/siberian-c-peach-harvest-bucket.webp?v=1789021076"},{"product_id":"spencer-apple","title":"Spencer Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spencer Apple is an apple 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 an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 13 to Sep 23 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 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 950 hours (750 to 1,100). 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#spencer-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\/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 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 Sep 13 to Sep 23 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\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. \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). 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, 2-4 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 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis is our second year growing Spencer, and we have yet to try the apple ourselves. However, we were excited to hear from Samantha at Old Blue Moon Orchard in Stevensville that Spencer is a crisp, sweet apple with a nice kick to it. A cross between McIntosh and Golden Delicious, it is likely hardy to around -40F. When the mother trees from which we collected cuttings had experienced -38F on 1\/13\/24, the trees suffered from no winter injury. They are likely hardier that -38F, although we don't have that data currently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIdeal Growing Regions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness: \u003c\/strong\u003eSpencer should do well in areas like the Bitterroot Valley and the warmer valleys west of the Divide in Montana. Similar to McIntosh, Spencer may struggle in colder regions, particularly east of the Divide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRipening Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spencer ripens around the same time as McIntosh, typically the third weekend of September, depending on the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have grafted Spencer onto Spy 227 full size rootstock. These are actually one year older as we bench grafted these in 2025, grew them out for a whole season in pots, and then field grew them in 2026. The rootstock (Spy 227) is going on its 4th year whereas the tops (Spencer) is going on its 3rd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Spencer Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Spencer Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Spencer 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\/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 Spencer Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Spencer Apple 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 Spencer Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 950 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 1,100. 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#spencer-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Spencer Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 13 to Sep 23 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 Spencer Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Spencer Apple onto Spy 227 (full size).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Spencer Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Spencer Apple are fresh eating (7\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Spencer Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Spencer 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":"Spy 227 Full Size: 2-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42504704131138,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135137931330,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/spencer-apple-harvest.webp?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"wealthy-apple","title":"Wealthy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wealthy Apple is an apple 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 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 3 to Sep 17 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 1,050 hours (800 to 1,200). 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#wealthy-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\/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 69 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 3 to Sep 17 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\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. \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\u003eSauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), cooking and roasting (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\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. 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;\"\u003eWealthy is an American apple with a great story. After spending thousands of dollars and nearly 10 years trying to grow apples in Minnesota, Peter Gideon and his family were down to their last eight dollars. The only surviving tree was a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian Crab\u003c\/a\u003e Apple, but Gideon, determined to find an apple that could thrive in Minnesota, sent his remaining money to an apple grower in Bangor, Maine. In return, he received apple seeds and scions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOne of the resulting trees, which Gideon initially thought was a cross with his Siberian crab apple, produced an apple he later named the Wealthy, after his wife, Wealthy (Hull) Gideon. Recent genetic analysis, however, revealed that it’s actually a cross between ‘Duchess of Oldenburg’ and ‘Jonathan’, which makes sense given its resemblance to Duchess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBest Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWealthy apples are best used for processing, though Elizabeth made a delicious pie that everyone loved (see last photo). It’s also fantastic for apple sauce and apple butter, which have an excellent flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWhile it may not be listed often online for pies, its versatility in cooking and preserving makes it a staple in many orchards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to -50F, likely due to its Duchess of Oldenburg parentage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eIt stores well, bears reliably, and produces smaller apples. However, Fred Stewart of Green Bench Orchards managed to grow them exceptionally large in 2024, showing their potential with the right care. However, he thinned pretty extensively to achieve such a large size (4 inches in diameter).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Tree Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThese trees are grafted onto Spy 227, a full size rootstock hardy to -50F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Wealthy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Wealthy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Wealthy 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\/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 Wealthy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Wealthy Apple 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 Wealthy 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 800 and 1,200. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Needs about 1,000 to 1,150 hours of chill, on the high side for apples, but no problem anywhere 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#wealthy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Wealthy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 3 to Sep 17 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 Wealthy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Wealthy Apple onto Spy 227 (full size).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Wealthy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Wealthy Apple are sauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (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 Wealthy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Wealthy 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":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42511189770306,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42511189803074,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/wealthy-apple-harvest.webp?v=1789021309"},{"product_id":"ashmeads-kernel-apple","title":"Ashmead's Kernel Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ashmead's Kernel 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 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 6 to Oct 18 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). 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#ashmeads-kernel-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\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 6 to Oct 18 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 (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), hard cider (7\/10), winter storage (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\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 data-start=\"100\" data-end=\"128\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Discovery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"287\"\u003eDiscovered in the early part of the 18th century in Gloucestershire England, Ashmead’s Kernel is famous for its funky, russeted appearance and complex flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"289\" data-end=\"309\"\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"310\" data-end=\"463\"\u003eThis is the kind of apple that makes people wonder if it’s actually an apple, to which I would ask whether they have ever only eaten store bought apples!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"465\" data-end=\"489\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"490\" data-end=\"589\"\u003eIts woody texture combined with its floral and almost tropical fruit flavor is something to behold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"591\" data-end=\"618\"\u003eOur First Tasting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"619\" data-end=\"736\"\u003eWe finally tried it for the first time in Fall 2023 from Rod McIver’s Orchard in Kalispell and it was worth the wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"777\"\u003eCold-Hardiness \u0026amp; Adaptability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"778\" data-end=\"963\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eRod’s property is a solid zone 4, with rare events that can even hit -35F, which (in our experience in Western Montana) means that Ashmead’s is one of the most adaptable of all the English varieties (maybe tied with Ribston). Should not be planted in Eastern Montana with the exception perhaps Billings and some of the warmer surrounding valleys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Ashmead's Kernel Apples” by orchidgalore, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ashmead%27s_Kernel_Apples.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. “Apple 'Ashmead's Kernel'” and “Apple tree 'Ashmead's Kernel'” by Tiggins Meadow, via Flickr (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/123179782@N04\/51688572321\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/123179782@N04\/51688844783\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e2\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 Ashmead's Kernel Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ashmead's Kernel Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Ashmead's Kernel 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 Ashmead's Kernel Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ashmead's Kernel 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 Ashmead's Kernel 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. Ashmead's Kernel needs about 800 to 1,000 chill hours. Montana winters supply far more. 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#ashmeads-kernel-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ashmead's Kernel Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 6 to Oct 18 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 Ashmead's Kernel Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ashmead's Kernel 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 Ashmead's Kernel Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ashmead's Kernel Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), hard cider (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ashmead's Kernel Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Ashmead's Kernel 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)","offer_id":45124776853570,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ashmeads-kernel-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1791609720"},{"product_id":"binet-rouge-apple","title":"Binet Rouge Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Binet Rouge 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 7 of 7, very late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 16 to Oct 29 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 (700 to 1,300). 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#binet-rouge-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 7 of 7 (very late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e. \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 16 to Oct 29 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\u003eHard cider (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (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, 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 data-end=\"116\" data-start=\"98\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"477\" data-start=\"117\"\u003eBinet Rouge is a traditional French cider apple from Normandy, long valued for its aromatic, bittersweet fruit and exceptional pollination qualities. The small to medium apples are greenish-yellow with red striping, producing firm, fine-grained flesh that is sweet, slightly bitter, and distinctly flavorful. It's excellent for cider but unsuitable for fresh eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"509\" data-start=\"479\"\u003eTree Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"751\" data-start=\"510\"\u003eThe tree is moderately vigorous, frost-tolerant at bloom, and known for heavy biennial crops, though it is prone to scab, mildew, and fire blight. Used historically in Calvados production, Binet Rouge remains a highly regarded cider variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"777\" data-start=\"753\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"992\" data-start=\"778\"\u003eIn terms of hardiness, Binet Rouge surprisingly bounced back after a cold 2024 winter in which the Western Agriculture Research Station experienced near -40F. Not sure whether it can tolerate much colder than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1026\" data-start=\"994\"\u003eNote on Our Experience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1164\" data-start=\"1027\"\u003eThis is our first year growing Binet Rouge in Montana; information provided is from established sources rather than firsthand experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1224\" data-start=\"1166\"\u003eWestern Ag Research Center Notes (Corvallis, MT)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1815\" data-start=\"1225\"\u003eAccording to Western Agriculture Research Center in Corvallis, MT, \"Binet Rouge is a small stature tree that produces prolifically in bearing years and must be thinned to reduce fruit load and biennial bearing. It is highly susceptible to fire blight and should be managed carefully to reduce risk of infection. Binet Rouge, while not extremely vigorous, does produce several branches with good angles for training on either a trellis or as a standalone tree. Four years after planting, it has yet to reach the top wire in WARC’s high density trellis system on both G935 and M26 rootstock.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1817\"\u003eImage Credit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1883\" data-start=\"1840\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:APictche\"\u003eImages Courtesy of Wikimedia Users APictche\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Binet Rouge Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Binet Rouge Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Binet Rouge 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 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Binet Rouge Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Binet Rouge Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from the Western Ag Research Center and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Binet Rouge Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,300. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Late bloomer and strongly biennial, so thin hard in heavy years. No measured chill figure; plan on about 900 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#binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Binet Rouge Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 16 to Oct 29 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 Binet Rouge Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Binet Rouge 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 Binet Rouge Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Binet Rouge Apple are hard cider (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Binet Rouge Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Binet Rouge 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":45124816339010,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/binet-rouge-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"brown-snout-apple","title":"Brown Snout Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown Snout Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 6 of 7, 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). 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#brown-snout-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 6 of 7 (late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 5 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 14 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\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\u003eHard 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, 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 data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"240\"\u003eThis is our first year growing Brown Snout, so all of the following information below is second hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"263\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Origins\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"264\" data-end=\"504\"\u003eBrown Snout is a traditional English cider apple that originated in Herefordshire in the early 19th century. Its exact parentage is unknown, but it has long been recognized as a classic bittersweet variety used in West Country cider making.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"526\"\u003eFruit Appearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"527\" data-end=\"748\"\u003eThe apples are small to medium in size and often show the characteristic russeted “brown snout” near the calyx, which gives the variety its name. The skin is typically green to yellow-green with varying amounts of russet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"778\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Cider Qualities\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"978\"\u003eThe flesh is moderately firm and aromatic, producing juice with rich bittersweet tannins, low acidity, and good body. It's ideal for traditional English-style cider and for blending with sharper varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"993\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"994\" data-end=\"1160\"\u003eCold hardiness is considered moderate for an English cider apple, generally performing best in climates around Zone 4–5 depending on rootstock and growing conditions. So therefore for Montana growers, we would say it is hardy to -30F, and should likely only be planted in the warmest microclimates of the warmest valley of Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of David Pickering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Brown Snout Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Brown Snout Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Brown Snout 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 5 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Brown Snout Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Brown Snout Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from published sources and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Brown Snout 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. Needs a pollenizer. No measured chill figure; plan on about 1,000 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#brown-snout-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Brown Snout Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Brown Snout 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 Brown Snout Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Brown Snout Apple are hard cider (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, that score leans on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Brown Snout Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Brown Snout Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Brown Snout 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125051646018,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/brown-snout-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789019221"},{"product_id":"ellis-bitter-apple","title":"Ellis Bitter Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ellis Bitter 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 7 of 7, very late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 4 to Sep 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 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#ellis-bitter-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 7 of 7 (very late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e. \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 4 to Sep 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 15 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\u003eHard 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, 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=\"14\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"528\"\u003eEllis Bitter is a specialty cider apple grown primarily for fermentation rather than fresh eating. Most of what we know about its cider characteristics, growth behavior, and disease tendencies comes from university research programs and extension-based cider cultivar evaluations. This is the first year we have grown Ellis Bitter, and we have not yet tasted the fruit or observed its long-term behavior under Montana conditions, so the information below should be considered secondhand rather than experiential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"556\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"897\"\u003eEllis Bitter is valued for its role in cider making, where it contributes tannin, structure, and mouthfeel rather than sweetness or fresh-eating appeal. University cider research programs describe it as a bittering apple used to add depth and balance in fermented cider, particularly when blended with higher-acid or higher-sugar varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"899\" data-end=\"927\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eExtension and research sources generally describe Ellis Bitter as a vigorous-growing apple. For Montana plantings, it should be treated as a vigorous tree and spaced accordingly. We have it on Bud-118 semi-dwarf rootstock, and should be spaced 15-18 ft. apart. Wider spacing helps maintain light penetration and airflow, which is especially important for cider apples grown for consistent ripening and disease management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1325\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1648\"\u003eEllis Bitter is not considered self-fertile and benefits from cross-pollination with other apple varieties that bloom at a similar time. In Montana, reliable fruit set will depend on having compatible pollenizers nearby as well as adequate pollinator activity during bloom, particularly in cool or windy spring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1650\" data-end=\"1670\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"2138\"\u003eCold hardiness information for Ellis Bitter is limited and best inferred from its classification as a European cider apple rather than an ultra-hardy northern dessert apple. For Montana, it should be approached conservatively and sited carefully, with attention to cold-air drainage, fall acclimation, and the use of cold-hardy rootstocks (we've got you covered here with Bud 118). It's likely hardy to -30F at least, although tread with caution if you are planting it in an area that can see colder temps than this. Its performance through extreme winter temperatures remains something that will need to be confirmed through local observation. Listed widely online as zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2159\"\u003eDisease Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2160\" data-end=\"2429\"\u003eUniversity and extension references consistently note that Ellis Bitter shows susceptibility to fire blight. In Montana, this makes canopy management and vigor control especially important, as fire blight risk increases during warm bloom periods and rapid shoot growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2431\" data-end=\"2469\"\u003eMontana Context \u0026amp; Our Experience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2470\" data-end=\"2878\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eEllis Bitter is best considered a trial cider apple for Montana growers. While its cider qualities are well documented in research and extension literature, regional performance data in the Northern Rockies and Intermountain West are limited. This is our first year growing Ellis Bitter, and we have not yet tasted the fruit or observed how it handles Montana winters, disease pressure, or cropping patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Ellis Bitter itself. Photos of Ellis Bitter are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “CSIRO ScienceImage 11106 Apples on tree” by Liese Coulter, CSIRO, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_11106_Apples_on_tree.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ellis Bitter Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ellis Bitter Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Ellis Bitter 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 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ellis Bitter Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Ellis Bitter Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from published sources and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ellis Bitter 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. Late bloomer, so pair it with another late-blooming apple. No measured chill figure; plan on about 1,000 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#ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ellis Bitter Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 4 to Sep 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 Ellis Bitter Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ellis Bitter 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 15 to 18 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ellis Bitter Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ellis Bitter Apple are hard cider (7\/10). We haven't tasted the fruit yet, so that score leans on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ellis Bitter Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Ellis Bitter 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":42499027992642,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-flushed-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615379"},{"product_id":"prairie-spy-apple","title":"Prairie Spy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prairie Spy Apple is an apple 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 an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 5 to Oct 17 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 1,000 hours (850 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#prairie-spy-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\/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 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 5 to Oct 17 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\u003eM26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. \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), winter storage (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (7\/10), fresh 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\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. 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=\"599\" data-end=\"613\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"902\"\u003ePrairie Spy is a cold-climate apple valued for its late-ripening fruit, strong storage qualities, and reliable performance in northern regions. It is often compared to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e types for its keeping ability and structure, but with improved suitability for colder continental climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"929\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eDeveloped in 1943 under the name Minnesota 1007 at the University of Minnesota's Fruit Breeding Farm in Excelsior, Minnesota (U.S.A.). Released in 1940. Likely an open pollinated seedling of \u003ca class=\"standard apple-link\" data-apple-id=\"8188\" href=\"https:\/\/pomiferous.com\/applebyname\/northern-spy-id-8188\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Northern Spy \u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003eThe fruit is typically large, firm, and tart, with flavor that improves notably after storage. Luke really liked it when he tried it at Bob's Purvis' for the first time back in 2022. It had been in storage, however, and Bob noted that the flavor is bland off the tree but that it improves markedly in storage. Great keeper. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1707\"\u003eRipening Window\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1942\"\u003ePrairie Spy ripens late in the season, generally in the fall, and benefits from full maturity to develop its best flavor and storage potential. In colder regions, this makes good site selection and sufficient growing season important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1972\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003eTrees are generally vigorous with a traditional apple growth habit. Standard apple spacing based on rootstock applies, with wider spacing helpful for airflow and long-term tree health in colder, more humid spring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2216\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2408\"\u003ePrairie Spy is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination. Any compatible apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom will work, making it easy to pair within a mixed cold-climate orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2410\" data-end=\"2430\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2431\" data-end=\"2693\"\u003eHardy to at least -40F making it a solid zone 3 apple. However, Ed Schultz noted that his Prairie Spy did not shut down at his location in Gallatin Gateway, which resulted in the tree succumbing to winter injury from severe early fall frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Prairie Spy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Prairie Spy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Prairie Spy 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\/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 Prairie Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Prairie Spy Apple 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 Prairie Spy 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 850 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#prairie-spy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Prairie Spy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 5 to Oct 17 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 Prairie Spy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Prairie Spy Apple onto M26 (dwarf to semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 8 to 14 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Prairie Spy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Prairie Spy Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), cooking and roasting (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 Prairie Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Prairie Spy 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":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503529365570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-spy-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"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":"alice-sharp-apricot","title":"Alice Sharp Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alice Sharp Apricot is an apricot tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apricot).\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 7. 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 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#alice-sharp-apricot\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), very early spring here. Self-fruitful, so one tree can set fruit. Another later-blooming apricot such as Harlayne or Hardy Iowa nearby will help crops. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harlayne-apricot\"\u003eHarlayne Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wenatchee-moorpark-apricot\"\u003eWenatchee Moorpark Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chinese-apricot\"\u003eChinese Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e and 4 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root 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 (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, 4-5 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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot is one of the apricot varieties we only recently started growing. Alice Sharp is a chance seedling discovered in Illinois, where it does well. It blooms later and produces small to medium-sized, very pale yellow, sweet fruits. We haven’t tried the fruit first hand, so we don’t have much to go on in terms of flavor other than “sweet.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has an upright to spreading growth habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been noted to survive at least down to -34°F in southwest Minnesota. The fruits are fragile and can bruise easily, so it’s best suited for home growers or small, local producers. Hardy to zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Alice Sharp itself. Photos of Alice Sharp are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “a bunch of fruit hanging from a tree (Apricots in abundance)” by JOGphotos, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-bunch-of-fruit-hanging-from-a-tree-4nsvGEA3Lu4\" 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Alice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Alice Sharp Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Alice Sharp Apricot is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fruitful, so one tree can set fruit. Another later-blooming apricot such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harlayne-apricot\"\u003eHarlayne\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa\u003c\/a\u003e nearby will help crops. Partners we carry include Hardy Iowa Apricot, Harlayne Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wenatchee-moorpark-apricot\"\u003eWenatchee Moorpark Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Alice Sharp Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Alice Sharp Apricot 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 Alice Sharp Apricot 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. Montana winters cover its chill easily, and its later bloom gives it a better shot at missing spring frosts than early prairie apricots. 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#alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Alice Sharp Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Alice Sharp Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Alice Sharp Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Alice Sharp Apricot are fresh eating (7\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Alice Sharp Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Alice Sharp Apricot now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Alice Sharp Apricot 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: 4-5 ft or 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 4-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124743528514,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42498753495106,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pale-yellow-apricots-on-branch_9fdebdb7-76be-4790-9588-9a972b20d2ae.jpg?v=1791615247"},{"product_id":"dr-606-apricot","title":"Dr 606 Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dr 606 Apricot is an apricot tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 6 of 7, late for an apricot), and it ripens about Aug 26 to Sep 7 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 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#dr-606-apricot\"\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 6 of 7 (late), very early spring here. Self-fruitful, so it can crop alone. Planting Precious or Zard nearby as a pollenizer helps fruit set in cool, marginal springs. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e and 5 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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 26 to Sep 7 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root there is. 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 (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/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\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, 6-8 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\u003eDr. 606 Apricot is a cold-climate apricot selection originating from British Columbia and associated with long-term evaluation by fruit growing legend Bob Purvis, from whom we obtained scionwood for grafting these trees. It is valued for its late bloom, very late ripening, and solid winter survival in northern growing regions. While clearly hardy, Dr. 606 is generally considered less extreme in cold tolerance than the prairie province apricots, which were selected under harsher continental conditions. Instead, Dr. 606 occupies a middle ground: tougher than most commercial apricots, but not as bulletproof as the hardiest prairie selections, but it’s best quality is that it is later blooming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. 606 forms an upright to spreading tree with low to moderate vigor. Growth is balanced rather than aggressive, allowing the tree to develop a strong framework without excessive vegetative growth. On standard rootstock, which is the case here as we have grafted these onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/manchurian-apricot-bundle-of-2\"\u003eManchurian apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, trees should be spaced approximately 15 feet apart to allow for adequate light penetration and airflow. The moderate vigor makes it easier to manage with pruning and well suited to mixed orchards and diversified plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit of Dr. 606 is medium sized, orange, very firm, and sweet. The firmness gives it excellent eating quality when chilled and makes it especially enjoyable with cold desserts. Ripening is very late for an apricot, typically mid-August in central Washington, or about a week after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harlayne-apricot\"\u003eHarlayne\u003c\/a\u003e, extending the apricot season beyond most cold-hardy cultivars. The fruit is best suited for fresh eating and simple dessert use rather than early-season processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. 606 has demonstrated winter survival to at least −34°F in southwestern Minnesota. While this places it solidly among cold-hardy apricots, it is likely not as hardy as the prairie province apricots, (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/westcot-apricot\"\u003eWestcot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/debbies-gold-apricot\"\u003eDebbie's Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, Brookcot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/morden-604-apricot\"\u003eMorden 604\u003c\/a\u003e, etc.) which were bred and selected under more severe winter conditions. Dr. 606 is best considered a USDA Hardiness Zone 3b apricot, and while it may succeed in favorable Zone 3a microclimates, it should not be relied upon as a true 3a cultivar. That said, its later-blooming habit significantly improves reliability by reducing exposure to spring frost events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination \u0026amp; Fruit Set\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. 606 is self-fruitful and capable of setting fruit on its own. However, as with many self-fertile apricots, fruit set may be improved and stabilized by planting with other late-flowering apricots. Suitable companions include cultivars such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e, which bloom on a similar schedule and can enhance cross-pollination during marginal spring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, these trees are older and were grafted onto the hardy Manchurian apricot in 2025. Going on their third year (rootstock fourth year).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Dr 606 Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Dr 606 Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Dr 606 Apricot is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fruitful, so it can crop alone. Planting \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e nearby as a pollenizer helps fruit set in cool, marginal springs. Partners we carry include Precious Apricot, Zard Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Dr 606 Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Dr 606 Apricot 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 Dr 606 Apricot 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. Montana winters cover its chill easily, and its later bloom gives it a better shot at missing spring frosts than early prairie apricots. 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#dr-606-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Dr 606 Apricot ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 26 to Sep 7 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 Dr 606 Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Dr 606 Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Dr 606 Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Dr 606 Apricot are fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Dr 606 Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Dr 606 Apricot 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":42499027697730,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dr-606-apricot-on-tree.jpg?v=1789019845"},{"product_id":"precious-apricot","title":"Precious Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Precious Apricot is an apricot tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 6 of 7, late for an apricot).\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#precious-apricot\"\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 6 of 7 (late), very early spring here. Self-fruitful, so one tree can set fruit. Dr 606 or Zard nearby as a pollenizer helps fruit set in poor bloom weather. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606 Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e and 5 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root 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 (7\/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\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 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 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"14\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"329\"\u003ePrecious is a remarkably cold-hardy and uncommon apricot valued for its late bloom, disease resistance, and ability to produce reliably in climates where most apricots fail. It has earned a reputation as one of the most dependable apricots for northern growers, particularly in regions with frequent spring frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"353\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"354\" data-end=\"801\"\u003eAccording to Whiffletree Nursery, Precious originates from an old apricot tree discovered just south of Georgian Bay. Around 1900, the Fruit Growers Association brought hardy apricot seedlings from Russia into the region, and this tree is suspected to be one of those early introductions. Precious has since proven itself as a dependable producer in Quebec and the New England states, contributing to its reputation as a true cold-climate apricot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"831\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"1020\"\u003eFruit is small to medium in size with thick yellow-orange skin and sweet, melting flesh. The pit contains an edible, almond-like kernel, a trait associated with some hardy apricot lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1022\" data-end=\"1348\"\u003eLuke’s tasting notes from this video \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=G06qBrYmMWU\u0026amp;t=1084s\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e describe the flavor as:\u003cbr data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1069\"\u003e“Mango flavor similar to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montana-mango-apricot\"\u003eMontana Mango\u003c\/a\u003e with a hint of acidity. Not quite the flavor you get when biting into a dried Turkish apricot. Doesn’t have too much sweetness but nice acidity from the skin. The texture is somewhat crunchy and the flesh doesn’t crumble. Very good flavor.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1350\" data-end=\"1360\"\u003eUses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1361\" data-end=\"1594\"\u003ePrecious is well suited to fresh eating and also performs well for drying and preserves. Its balanced acidity and firm texture help the fruit hold together, making it versatile in the kitchen compared to many softer-fleshed apricots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1596\" data-end=\"1630\"\u003eBloom Time \u0026amp; Frost Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1879\"\u003ePrecious is a relatively late-blooming apricot and is noted for handling late spring frosts unusually well. This characteristic, combined with good disease resistance, makes it far more reliable than standard apricot varieties in marginal climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1881\" data-end=\"1914\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1915\" data-end=\"2141\"\u003eTrees are productive and consistent once established. While apricots are never entirely without risk in cold climates, Precious stands out for its ability to set crops under conditions that regularly eliminate other varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2163\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2164\" data-end=\"2412\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003ePrecious is widely regarded as one of the hardier apricots in cultivation. Purvis lists it hardy to around -41F. Its long track record in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States supports its use in cold regions, where winter temperatures and late frosts limit apricot success. Solid Zone 3 apricot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Precious Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Precious Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Precious Apricot is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fruitful, so one tree can set fruit. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e nearby as a pollenizer helps fruit set in poor bloom weather. Partners we carry include Dr 606 Apricot, Zard Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Precious Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Precious Apricot 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 Precious Apricot 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. Montana winters cover its chill easily, and its later bloom gives it a better shot at missing spring frosts than early prairie apricots. 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#precious-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Precious Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Precious Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Precious Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Precious Apricot are fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Precious Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Precious Apricot now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Precious Apricot 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: 3-5 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42503549616194,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503549583426,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42751578865730,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/precious-apricot-on-tree.png?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"zard-apricot","title":"Zard Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zard Apricot is an apricot tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 7 of 7, very late for an apricot).\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 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -33°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 (700 to 1,300). 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#zard-apricot\"\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 7 of 7 (very late), very early spring here. Self-fertile, so one tree can crop. Dr 606 or Precious nearby as a pollenizer can improve fruit set. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606 Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wayne-apricot\"\u003eWayne Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eZard Apricot Seedling (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root there is. 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), drying (7\/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\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 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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard is a heritage Iranian apricot valued in cold and frost-prone climates for one defining trait: it stays dormant longer than most apricots (but also incredible flavor!). That very late bloom habit can dramatically improve cropping reliability in places where winter thaws and early spring warmth routinely trigger premature bloom in other cultivars. Many of the prairie province apricots can withstand colder mid-winter extreme temps, but bloom earlier in the Spring. Zard also stands out as a pale yellow, very sweet apricot with a sweet kernel, placing it in the long Central and West Asian tradition of apricots selected as much for eating quality and drying potential as for hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard is an old apricot cultivar from Iran with no documented modern breeding-program parentage; it is treated as a traditional cultivar rather than a named cross. The name Zard comes from Persian زرد, meaning yellow, and it is closely tied to the Persian word for apricot, زردآلو (zard-ālū). In other words, Zard is not a marketing name—its identity is embedded in the Persian language itself, reflecting both color and cultural familiarity. Zard’s late bloom behavior is repeatedly attributed to a combination of high chilling requirement and a need for substantial spring heat before budbreak, which helps explain why it avoids false-spring bloom events and later frosts better than many even cold hardy apricots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard produces medium-sized, pale yellow fruit that are notably sweet when fully ripe, but also other wonderful flavor notes. This is Luke's favorite apricot he has ever tried, along with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montana-mango-apricot\"\u003eMontana Mango\u003c\/a\u003e. A distinctive, well-attested trait is its large pit with a sweet kernel, which is unusual enough to merit mention because it connects Zard to traditional West and Central Asian apricots where kernels are sometimes valued. Zard is excellent for fresh eating at full ripeness and is also a strong candidate for drying and preserves in climates where the fruit can be ripened thoroughly on the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard has a very upright growth habit, tending toward narrower branch angles unless trained early. That upright structure makes training important in snow, wind, and heavy-crop regions—opening the canopy and building strong scaffold angles early will pay off long-term with better light penetration, easier pruning, and reduced breakage risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Zard on Manchurian full-size rootstock, which is the most cold hardy apricot rootstock in our experience. in multiple size variants. On standard \u003ca href=\"\/products\/manchurian-apricot-bundle-of-2\"\u003eManchurian apricot\u003c\/a\u003e rootstock, a spacing of approximately 15 feet between trees is a proven, practical baseline that balances canopy development with adequate light and airflow. If you want a larger tree with less pruning over time, give it more room; if you plan to prune annually and keep the canopy tighter, 15 feet remains a dependable standard spacing for managed trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard is self-fertile and can set fruit as a standalone tree, but fruit set can be improved and stabilized by cross-pollination, especially in marginal spring conditions when weather reduces pollinator activity. Other late flowering cultivars we offer that overlap wit Zard's bloom window include Dr. 606 and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e. That said, the prairie province apricots should also overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard’s main reliability advantage is late bloom, but it also has a real, concrete cold-performance datapoint: it has been documented to withstand −33°F in southwestern Minnesota and still bear a full crop. y to wood survival but to functional flowering and fruiting after a severe winter event. Like all apricots, true “limit temps” depend on dormancy state, site conditions, and winter pattern, so the most defensible approach is to anchor hardiness to documented events and observed performance rather than optimistic generalities. Purvis notes that its mid-winter extreme hardiness is in the low -40Fs. Zone 3b and 3a protected sites (out of risk of frost pooling\/depressions and good air flow).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fascinating detail about Zard is how directly it ties into Persian language and fruit culture: زرد means yellow, and زردآلو is the common Persian word for apricot, reinforcing that Zard is a deeply rooted, traditional cultivar identity rather than a modern reinvention. On disease resistance, there are no trustworthy, variety-specific claims that Zard has exceptional resistance to major apricot diseases. The most accurate framing is to manage it like other apricots: emphasize airflow and sun, avoid overly lush nitrogen-driven growth, protect trunks in harsh microclimates, and prioritize pruning hygiene to reduce canker and rot pressures in stressful years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Zard Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Zard Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Zard Apricot is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fertile, so one tree can crop. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e nearby as a pollenizer can improve fruit set. Partners we carry include Dr 606 Apricot, Precious Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wayne-apricot\"\u003eWayne Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Zard Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Zard Apricot hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -33°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 Zard Apricot need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,300. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. The latest-blooming apricot we sell, likely from a higher chill and heat need. That late bloom is its big frost advantage. 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#zard-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Zard Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Zard Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Zard Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Zard Apricot are fresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Zard Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Zard Apricot now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Zard Apricot 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: 3-5 ft or 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42511544713282,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":42511544680514,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42751578046530,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45144936710210,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/zard-apricot-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021379"},{"product_id":"veteran-peach","title":"Veteran Peach (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Veteran Peach is a peach tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 30 to Sep 3 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). Our notes have it taking -26°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 (850 to 950). 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#veteran-peach\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. Contender nearby is a good pollenizer if you want an extra boost. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach 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 30 to Sep 3 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\u003ePrairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it 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\u003eCanning and freezing (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), drying (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\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\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran is one of the hardier commercial varieties of peaches, and is known for reliable crops, later blooming (helpful for dodging spring frosts), and flavorful yellow freestone fruit when fully ripe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran is a Canadian peach developed at Vineland, Ontario and widely reported as being introduced in 1928. \u003cbr\u003eMultiple nursery and catalog references report its parentage as Vaughn × Early Elberta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran produces medium to large peaches with yellow flesh and good classic peach flavor. Freestone when fully ripe. The flavor in Missoula is sweet and tangy, but with an intense peach aroma, especially when picked tree ripened. Somewhat similar in flavor to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran is vigorous and productive. These are grafted onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plum\u003c\/a\u003e rootstock, which will produce a more semi-dwarf peach at around 15 ft depending on depth of soils and climate. Possibly closer to 20 ft. in really deep soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran is self-fruitful (self-fertile), like most peach cultivars, meaning a single tree can set fruit on its own. That said, an additional peach planted nearby, ideally Contender, can improve fruit set. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVeteran withstood -26°F from a polar front that hit on 1\/13\/24 at our friend Kate Wilburn's house in Missoula. Luke actually planted this tree back in 2018. It was grafted onto Lovell peach rootstock, and the tree is currently about 15 ft. tall. Something interesting happened that following Spring after that polar front. We took scionwood cuttings for bench grafting and weirdly enough, none the wood was good. The cells of the shoots (from the previous year) were all damaged. This was in March. However, the tree budded out that Spring as though nothing had happened. The flower buds were all badly damaged and it didn't set fruit that year. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertainly not as hardy as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C peach\u003c\/a\u003e (the hardiest in our experience). Veteran is probably second to only Contender in terms of hardiness of the named varieties. Contender is hardy to -32F in our experience, whereas Veteran may trail this slightly (this is simply conjecture based on field observations), but it is unlikely that it is hardier than Contender. Buzz Ferver indicates Veteran has been hardier than Contender but this has not been our experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople often ask about Reliance, which is not as hardy in our experience as many claim (we've seen more dead Reliance than we can count on our hands and feet, (and other people's hands and feet). That said, Tom McCamant, who has been growing Reliance, Contender, Veteran, and many other varieties in a warm microclimate in Paradise, MT, argues Reliance is the hardiest in terms of mid-winter hardiness, but is perhaps the least hardy in terms of Fall hardiness. And I'd argue many of the dead Reliance's we have seen were planted within a year or two of when MT experienced brutal Fall flash frosts in October (2019 and 2020) in which we hit subzero at the end of Oct. 2019, and Missoula saw -10F on 10\/25\/2020. Had these trees been bigger and more established (regardless of cultural practices\/tapering off water in the Fall), perhaps Reliance could have survived these. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Veteran Peach\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Veteran Peach need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Veteran Peach is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender\u003c\/a\u003e nearby is a good pollenizer if you want an extra boost. Partners we carry include Contender Peach, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Veteran Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Veteran Peach hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -26°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 Veteran Peach need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 850 and 950. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. UC Davis and Utah State both put it there. Montana winters cover that easily, and its late bloom helps it dodge frost. 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#veteran-peach\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Veteran Peach ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 3 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 Veteran Peach get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Veteran Peach onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Veteran Peach good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Veteran Peach are canning and freezing (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Veteran Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Veteran Peach 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":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42508249727042,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/veteran-peach-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021309"},{"product_id":"la-crescent-plum","title":"La Crescent Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e La Crescent Plum is a plum 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 6 of 7, late for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 10 to Aug 22 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 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#la-crescent-plum\"\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 6 of 7 (late), early spring here. La Crescent blooms late, so pick a later-blooming hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it, and it cannot pollenize European plums like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 3 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum 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 10 to Aug 22 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\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Native Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull 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), jams and jellies (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\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, 6-8 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\u003ch2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"19\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"36\" data-end=\"268\"\u003eLa Crescent is a Japanese × American hybrid plum released by the University of Minnesota in the early 1920s. Its reported parentage is Prunus salicina ‘\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiro-plum\"\u003eShiro\u003c\/a\u003e’ × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/a\u003e ‘Howard Yellow’.  We have grown Shiro, which is one of the hardier Asian plums (although likely only to about -30F), but since Howard Yellow is a seedling of native american plum, this is where La Crescent gets its hardiness.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"295\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"296\" data-end=\"529\"\u003eLa Crescent was introduced by the University of Minnesota (commonly dated to 1923) and is also sometimes sold under names like Golden La Crescent \/ Golden Minnesota. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"557\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"859\"\u003eLa Crescent is a thin-skinned yellow plum that can develop a pink blush, with tender, juicy yellow flesh and a sweet, aromatic flavor that is often compared to apricot-like notes. Bob Purvis pointed this out to Luke the first time he visited Bob's orchard in Homedale, ID back in 2022. It’s primarily used for fresh eating and preserving\/canning. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"889\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"1106\"\u003eIt’s growth habit is upright to spreading and vigorous. As a practical backyard spacing range, plan about 15 ft apart for trees on Native American rootstock (12 ft for tighter spacing\/more pruning), and 18 ft. for trees on Krymsk 86 (15 ft. for tighter spacing).\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1125\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1377\"\u003eLa Crescent needs a pollenizer. You can use Native American plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, or another Japanese x American hybrid that overlaps bloom (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, or others).\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1379\" data-end=\"1399\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1400\" data-end=\"1791\"\u003eWe do not have a whole lot of first hand data on La Crescent because this is one of the newer plums we have grown, although knowing that when Bob Purvis lists the hardiness of plums he grows, which is from whom we got cuttings of La Crescent, he goes off of the same USDA zone scale of temperatures, but if he lists something as Zone 3a, which is the case for La Crescent, then he implies here that the plum is hardy to -40F. And given we have grown plenty of other Asian x American hybrids that do well down to these temps, i.e. Pipestone and Underwood surviving -38F in Stevensville, MT without any winter injury, I think \"hardy down to -40F\" for La Crescent tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about La Crescent Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes La Crescent Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. La Crescent Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. La Crescent blooms late, so pick a later-blooming hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it, and it cannot pollenize European plums like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is La Crescent Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate La Crescent Plum 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 La Crescent Plum 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. A late bloomer for a hybrid plum, which helps dodge spring frost. Chill is estimated around 700 hours from its parents. 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#la-crescent-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does La Crescent Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 10 to Aug 22 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 La Crescent Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft La Crescent Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Native Plum. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is La Crescent Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for La Crescent Plum are fresh eating (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 La Crescent Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect La Crescent Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":43865971261506,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500337500226,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/la-crescent-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"superior-plum","title":"Superior Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Superior Plum is a plum 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 5 of 7, mid-late for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Sep 7 to Sep 19 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). Our notes have it taking -38°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 (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#superior-plum\"\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), early spring here. Superior pollenizes most hybrid plums but not \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, and it needs a partner itself such as Toka or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 9 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum 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 7 to Sep 19 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\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Prairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 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 (9\/10), jams and jellies (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\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 5-6 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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum is a cold-hardy hybrid plum developed specifically to bring improved fruit quality into colder regions where pure Japanese plums often struggle. Remains one of the better-known Japanese–American hybrids for northern plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum was bred by University of Minnesota in 1933 from a cross of ‘Burbank’ × ‘\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Burbank’ is a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), while Kaga’ is itself an interspecific hybrid derived from \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/a\u003e × Prunus simonii.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes Superior a complex hybrid combining Japanese plum genetics with American plum and Simon plum ancestry. The breeding goal was to capture the fruit quality of Japanese plums while incorporating the cold tolerance and resilience of American plum material. Because of this background, Superior is often broadly described as a Japanese × American hybrid, but its exact pedigree is more accurately represented as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBurbank × (americana × simonii).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior has been planted in colder regions for decades as part of early efforts to expand reliable plum production beyond traditional Japanese plum climates. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior produces red-skinned plums with yellow flesh. The fruit is sweet and suitable for fresh eating, while also working well for preserves, baking, jams, and other kitchen uses. It is generally grown as a dual-purpose plum: enjoyable fresh when fully ripe and practical for processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Superior on Native Plum and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e semi-dwarf rootstock. Although these are both seedling rootstocks, Superior should be expected to mature as a moderately sized tree rather than a full standard tree. Native plum can be more dwarfing at times (given their seedling nature), but from our initial test results, Prairie Red seems to be a more consistently sized semi-dwarf, reaching about 15 ft tall at maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA planting spacing range is about 12–15 feet between trees, depending on pruning intensity and desired canopy size. Wider spacing supports airflow and light penetration; tighter spacing requires more active canopy management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum is not self-fertile and requires another plum nearby to act as a pollenizer for reliable fruit set. Plant with other hybrid plums that we offer, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gracious-plum\"\u003eGracious\u003c\/a\u003e, as well \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e (often referred to as a universal pollenizer for the hybrid plums). Native and Prairie Red plums can also work as a pollenizer for Superior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften listed as a hardy plum, exact minimum survival temperatures and the most accurate zone ratings are not known yet in Montana, but given that Underwood, Alderman, and Pipestone have all survived -38F in Stevensville, MT, Superior would likely be part of this ilk. Likely a solid zone 3b plum at the minimum, and even possibly 3a with protection\/in a good location (out of frost pooling\/depression, up on a bunch, good airflow, etc.).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior’s value lies in its breeding: it represents an early and successful attempt to merge Japanese plum fruit quality with American plum toughness. This mixed ancestry is what allows it to function in colder regions where many Japanese plums fail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are unsure of Superior's disease resistance in Montana, given we have only been growing it for a few years. As with most plums, long-term success depends primarily on site selection, spacing, pruning for airflow, and orchard sanitation to manage common stone-fruit diseases such as bacterial canker and brown rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Superior Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Superior Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Superior Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Superior pollenizes most hybrid plums but not \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, and it needs a partner itself such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Superior Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Superior Plum hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -38°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 Superior Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 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. Nursery figures run 500 to 800 hours, so it fits most cold-winter areas. Toka is a good pollenizer for it. 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#superior-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Superior Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 7 to Sep 19 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 Superior Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Superior Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Superior Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Superior Plum are fresh eating (9\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Superior Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Superior Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (1 yr. older)","offer_id":45135359148098,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (1 yr. older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42505024176194,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135359180866,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45135359213634,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/superior-plum-harvest-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"harlayne-apricot","title":"Harlayne Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harlayne Apricot is an apricot 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 5 of 7, mid-late for an apricot), and it ripens about Aug 15 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 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Our notes have it taking -34°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 (700 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#harlayne-apricot\"\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), very early spring here. Harlayne needs a different later-blooming apricot nearby as a pollenizer. Precious is a good choice from our list. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wenatchee-moorpark-apricot\"\u003eWenatchee Moorpark Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e and 4 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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 15 to Aug 27 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root 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 (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (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, 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\u003eAlthough we have grown Harlayne for about 5 years now, we had issues with it at one of our grow sites and therefore we do not have a whole lot of experience with it, or the fruit. So everything here is second hand:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarlayne Apricot is a fairly cold-climate apricot from the Harrow Research Station (Agriculture Canada \/ AAFC) in Harrow, Ontario, introduced in 1980 by breeder Richard E. C. Layne. Its published parentage is the cross V51092 × Sun Glo, with V51092 documented as [(Reliable × open-pollinated) × open-pollinated]. Harlayne was bred to extend the apricot season and to perform in climates with real winter and spring-frost risk, and it is widely considered one of the hardiest cultivars in the Harrow “Har” series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarlayne produces orange fruit with a red blush, typically firm-fleshed with good texture, and it is commonly described as suitable for both fresh use and processing. Because of its firmness, it is often recommended for canning and other kitchen uses where fruit needs to hold together. In northern climates it is also valued simply because it can produce a crop in years when many apricots lose blossoms to frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is commonly described as spreading and productive. It tends to bloom later than many apricots, which helps avoid some spring frost events. Thinning can be helpful in heavy-set years to improve size and quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a concrete “survival down to” figure: multiple cultivar references specifically list Harlayne’s wood\/branches as hardy to about −34°C (about −29°F), and Bob Purvis’ notes list it as cold hardy to −34°F. One reference also notes blossom bud tolerance around −27°C (about −17°F) before significant frost damage, which is useful context for spring-frost management (buds\/flowers are usually the limiting factor more than the wood).\u003cbr\u003ePractically, this puts Harlayne in the Zone 4 class for dependable performance, with success in Zone 3b typically depending on microclimate, fall shutdown, and spring frost patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePollination is one place where sources can conflict in casual nursery writeups. In the cold-climate grower literature (including Purvis’ notes), Harlayne is treated as needing cross-pollination for consistent crops, with other late-blooming Harrow apricots often suggested as partners (for example, Harogem and Hargrand). \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e, however, should serve as good pollenizers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Harlayne Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Harlayne Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Harlayne Apricot needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Harlayne needs a different later-blooming apricot nearby as a pollenizer. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e is a good choice from our list. Partners we carry include Precious Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alice-sharp-apricot\"\u003eAlice Sharp Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardy-iowa-apricot\"\u003eHardy Iowa Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Harlayne Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Harlayne Apricot hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -34°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 Harlayne Apricot need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Montana winters cover its chill easily, and its later bloom gives it a better shot at missing spring frosts than early prairie apricots. 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#harlayne-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Harlayne Apricot ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 15 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 Harlayne Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Harlayne Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Harlayne Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Harlayne Apricot are fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Harlayne Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Harlayne Apricot 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":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":42499217850434,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/harlayne-apricot-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020135"},{"product_id":"siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2","title":"Siberian C Peach Seedling (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Siberian C Peach Seedling is a peach tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a peach or nectarine).\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 850 hours (600 to 1,100). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. 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#siberian-c-peach-seedling-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\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Peaches are almost always self-fertile, so each seedling should set fruit on its own. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach Pollination Map\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), 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\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, 4-5 ft. Lots of Branching or 5-7 ft. Lots of 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 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWith genetics that trace back to the harsh Gobi Desert region of Mongolia and China, these are \u003cem\u003ehands down\u003c\/em\u003e the most hardy peaches that we know of. They’re the only peach that even has a chance of surviving in zone 3. Hardy to at least -35°F, according to Miekal from Driftless Sacred Grove, who has been breeding these for the last 30 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThey saw -35°F on two separate occasions during 2012 and 2018 in Wisconsin, and the trees showed no signs of winter damage. Their flower buds were, however, damaged at those temps. The trees also went undamaged after 55 consecutive days below 0°F in Wisconsin during 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAntifreeze Tested \u0026amp; Field Proven\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe started growing these several years back, and when we attempted our Antifreeze Selection methods on Siberian C (deliberately freezing and thawing the seeds many times at the seed and 1st-year potted stage), none of them died—which was a serious testament to their hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese are grown from 5th-generation selections of Siberian C by Miekal of Driftless Sacred Grove out of La Farge, Wisconsin, from 3rd–4th generation mother trees originally from Bear Creek Nursery (1992). Over the years, Miekal has been selecting for larger size, less mealiness, and improved juiciness and flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSummary \u0026amp; Tree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFreestone. Hardy to zone -38F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese seedlings come in many different sizes. Email us about bulk, quantities and pricing. We have a lot of these on hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e2027 Siberian C Peach Trees\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLast Photo is Luke next to Spring 2027's Siberian C Peach Trees. Photo was from August 27th 2026. This isn't even the full size they'll be given peaches shut down a little later in the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Siberian C Peach Seedling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Siberian C Peach Seedling need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Siberian C Peach Seedling is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Peaches are almost always self-fertile, so each seedling should set fruit on its own. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Siberian C Peach Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Siberian C Peach Seedling 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 Siberian C Peach Seedling need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,100. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Siberian C. Seedlings vary, so chill and bloom time differ tree to tree. Planting two or more lets you keep the latest bloomer. 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#siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Siberian C Peach Seedling good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Siberian C Peach Seedling are fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Siberian C Peach Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Siberian C Peach Seedling now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Siberian C Peach Seedling 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: 4-5 ft. Lots of Branching or 5-7 ft. Lots of Branching. 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 Year: 4-5 ft. Lots of Branching","offer_id":42504596488258,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Year: 5-7 ft. Lots of Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42751575228482,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/siberian-c-peach-harvest-bucket.webp?v=1789021076"},{"product_id":"zard-apricot-seedling-bundle-of-2","title":"Zard Apricot Seedling (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zard Apricot Seedling is an apricot tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 7 of 7, very late for an apricot).\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 7. 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 900 hours (600 to 1,300). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. 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#zard-apricot-seedling-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\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 7 of 7 (very late), very early spring here. Each seedling is different and may not crop alone. Plant both trees, or another late bloomer such as Zard, Dr 606 or Precious, as pollenizers. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wayne-apricot\"\u003eWayne Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606 Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot Pollination Map\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 (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, 4-6 ft or 6-8 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\u003eThese are trees grown out from seed collected from Zard, a late blooming yellow fleshed apricot from Iran and perhaps Luke's all time favorite. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard product page\u003c\/a\u003e for more info on the parent tree from which these seedlings were grown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow Zard Seedlings?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"927\" data-end=\"1498\"\u003ePlanting a seed does not reproduce a cultivar identically—each seedling is a new genotype. But in apricot, seedling populations are widely used as a practical way to discover late-blooming, high-quality trees and to broaden genetic diversity, including in regions where spring frost is the primary limiting factor. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9007285\"\u003eA large Iranian study\u003c\/a\u003e explicitly selected late-blooming, high fruit-quality genotypes among 278 seedling-originated trees, demonstrating that seedling populations are a valid improvement pathway in apricot. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy apricot seedlings can be “closer to the mother tree” than apple seedlings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key difference isn’t that apricot is “less heterozygous” (meaning genetically mixed from two parents), but that their mating systems differ in ways that change what you should expect from seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApple varieties generally need pollen from a different tree to produce fruit because apples have a genetic system that blocks most self-fertilization (called S-RNase–based self-incompatibility). As a result, apple seeds almost always come from cross-pollination, which leads to highly mixed genetics across cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApricot also has a genetic system that can prevent self-fertilization, but many modern apricot varieties \u003cem\u003eare\u003c\/em\u003e self-fertile (often linked to the Sᶜ allele), meaning a single tree can still set fruit on its own. This varies by variety, but large surveys show self-fertility is common in cultivated apricot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo in an open-pollinated seed lot from a self-fertile apricot, you can get a mix of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eselfed seedlings (seed parent = pollen parent)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eoutcrossed seedlings (pollen from another tree)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelfing increases the chance that seedlings share more genes with the mother tree than in crops that must always cross-pollinate. This is basic genetics, and it’s why apricot seedlings can sometimes show more “family resemblance” than apple seedlings — without anything being guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think this is one reason apricot seedlings are often more horticulturally usable than apple seedlings, even though every seed is still its own genetic individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Zard is especially interesting as seed parent material\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreeding literature repeatedly highlights Central Asian \/ Iran-Caucasian apricot genetics for fruit quality and kernel traits, and documents how seedling populations helped form regional landraces. There's also been some research that introducing Central Asian genetics into breeding programs increases diversity and can produce meaningful gains in fruit quality, including higher Brix, within just a few generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZard checks many of the key boxes for breeding apricots suited to cold climates: a high chilling requirement, late bloom, strong mid-winter hardiness (roughly down to –40°F), excellent flavor, and edible kernels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOpen-pollinated seedlings: what’s known and what isn’t\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertain: open-pollinated seedlings always have an unknown pollen parent. Even when the mother tree is self-fertile, cross-pollination can still happen, so a seed lot may contain both selfed and crossed seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnknown without DNA testing: exactly which trees provided pollen, and how many seedlings came from selfing versus crossing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mother Zard tree was surrounded mainly by Prairie Province apricots (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/westcot-apricot\"\u003eWestcot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/morden-604-apricot\"\u003eMorden 604\u003c\/a\u003e, Brookcot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/debbies-gold-apricot\"\u003eDebbie’s Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, Sunrise). Therefore, if crossing occurred, there is a good chance that those nearby trees were among the pollen donors. Still, this remains an inference unless confirmed by genetic testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy these traits matter for cold-climate breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross the literature, breeding priorities are consistent:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater bloom to reduce spring frost risk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh fruit quality (including sugars \/ Brix)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKernel traits, including edible kernels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese traits are repeatedly identified as valuable within Central and Inner Asian apricot genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn other words, a seed parent reported to combine late bloom tendencies, excellent flavor, and edible kernels makes scientific sense as breeding material,  even though no single seedling is guaranteed to inherit everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd I’ll add this from direct experience: this is the first population of Zard seedlings we’ve grown in Montana, so much more time will be needed to understand how these genetics express themselves here. What we’re offering isn’t a finished product — it’s living genetic material. Part of the value is in observing, selecting, and learning over years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Zard Apricot Seedling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Zard Apricot Seedling need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Zard Apricot Seedling is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Each seedling is different and may not crop alone. Plant both trees, or another late bloomer such as Zard, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious\u003c\/a\u003e, as pollenizers. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wayne-apricot\"\u003eWayne Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, Dr 606 Apricot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Zard Apricot Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Zard Apricot Seedling 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 Zard Apricot Seedling need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,300. That's based on the parent, Zard. Seedlings vary. Expect roughly Zard's late bloom and chill need, but individual trees will differ. 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#zard-apricot-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Zard Apricot Seedling good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Zard Apricot Seedling are jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Zard Apricot Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Zard Apricot Seedling now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Zard Apricot Seedling 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: 4-6 ft or 6-8 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":"4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45144991760450,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45144991793218,"sku":null,"price":129.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/zard-apricot-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021379"},{"product_id":"white-gold-sweet-cherry","title":"White Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e White Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a sweet cherry), and it ripens about Jul 13 to Jul 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). 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 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#white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. White Gold is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It blooms a little after Bing and Rainier but overlaps them enough to be a useful pollenizer, and its pollen works on every sweet cherry. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goldcherry-4aefh\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 2 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 13 to Jul 25 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\u003eMahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. 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 (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (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\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. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. 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\u003eWhite Gold is a self-fertile sweet cherry selected for growers who want \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier\u003c\/a\u003e-style color and eating quality, but with a tree that is generally more dependable in tougher, wetter, and more disease-prone cherry climates. It’s widely regarded as one of the most broadly “all-around” light-fleshed sweet cherries: productive, good flavor, and notably tolerant of two of the biggest sweet-cherry problems in the North and Northeast—bacterial canker and cherry leaf spot. It has also been sold under the name Newfane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold was developed in the Cornell\/NYSAES sweet cherry breeding program in Geneva, New York and released as NY 13688. Its documented parentage is Emperor Francis × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stella-cherry\"\u003eStella\u003c\/a\u003e, which is why it combines classic light-fleshed sweet-cherry traits with self-fertility. It was introduced in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold produces yellow fruit with a red blush and white to very pale flesh, generally in the midseason window. Fruit quality is consistently described as high, with very good sweet-cherry flavor and firm texture for fresh eating. Its tolerance to rain-induced cracking is commonly rated as intermediate—better than Rainier, not as good as the most crack-tolerant cultivars—so it’s still wise to prioritize siting, airflow, and canopy management in wet-summer locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn full-size rootstock, White Gold is a vigorous sweet cherry that benefits from early training to build strong scaffold angles and maintain an open canopy. Like other sweet cherries, it performs best when managed for sunlight penetration and airflow, which supports fruit quality and helps reduce disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer White Gold on full size Mazzard rootstock. For Mazzard, a reliable long-term spacing is about 18–22 feet between trees, depending on soil vigor and how aggressively you plan to manage canopy size. If you want a bigger, lower-maintenance tree over time, push wider; if you plan consistent summer pruning and renewal to keep trees tighter, you can use the lower end of that range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold is self-fertile, so it does not require a pollenizer to set fruit. However, additional sweet cherries nearby often improve consistency and yield. Sweet cherries to pair with White Gold include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, Stella, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e. White Gold is commonly treated as a strong pollination partner because it is self-fertile and blooms in the early-to-early-mid portion of the sweet cherry bloom season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet cherry hardiness is not a single fixed number: it changes through winter as trees acclimate, and it can be rapidly lost during warm spells (deacclimation). This happens more readily with sweet cherries than say apples. The duration of cold also matters—brief pre-dawn lows can be survivable where many hours or days at the same temperature would cause much greater injury, especially to flower buds.\u003cbr\u003eIn our Montana experience, we used to list White Gold as the second-hardiest sweet cherry after Gold, but we have revised that over time. Based on years of experience and customer observations, we now believe Lapins is the second hardiest in our lineup, having survived down to or very close to -38°F in the Bitterroot (Stevensville, MT) on 1\/13\/24, which is about what Gold can withstand, although Gold may push even colder (potentially near -40°F) under the right conditions. White Gold was not at that same site. However, we have seen White Gold show real vulnerability to early-season cold before full dormancy: a sharp fall frost on 10\/25\/20 that reached -10°F wiped our White Golds, while some Gold trees were okay. That event is a strong reminder that timing of cold (hardening-off status) can matter as much as the absolute low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold is notable historically as the first commercially released self-fertile light-fleshed sweet cherry in the U.S., which is a big reason it remains relevant for small orchards and home growers who only have room for one sweet cherry. On disease, the most defensible claim for White Gold is not “disease-proof,” but that it has unusually good tolerance to cherry leaf spot and bacterial canker relative to many sweet cherries, which is one of the main reasons it’s been recommended for more humid and disease-prone regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about White Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes White Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. White Gold Sweet Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. White Gold is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It blooms a little after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier\u003c\/a\u003e but overlaps them enough to be a useful pollenizer, and its pollen works on every sweet cherry. Partners we carry include Bing Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is White Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate White Gold Sweet Cherry 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 White Gold Sweet Cherry 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 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Chill won't limit White Gold in Montana. Its early-mid bloom and its sensitivity to hard freezes before full dormancy matter more. 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#white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does White Gold Sweet Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 13 to Jul 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 White Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft White Gold Sweet Cherry onto Mahaleb (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 22 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is White Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for White Gold Sweet Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat White Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect White Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539742134338,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539742167106,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/white-gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.png?v=1789021327"},{"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":"karmijn-de-sonnaville-apple","title":"Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple is an apple tree provisionally rated hardy to zone 4 (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 900 hours (700 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#karmijn-de-sonnaville-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\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), hard cider (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/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 Karmijn de Sonnaville, 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\u003eKarmijn de Sonnaville is a Dutch apple with about as much flavor as an apple can carry. Raintree says it measures highest in both sugars and acids, and Cummins calls it \"one of the strongest flavored apples, extremely citrusy.\" Raintree also says it can overwhelm some tastes right off the tree, and recommends waiting about a month for the flavor to mellow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was raised in 1949 by Piet de Sonnaville at the horticultural plant breeding institute in Wageningen, the Netherlands, and introduced in 1971, according to the National Fruit Collection. Most sources give the parents as Cox's Orange Pippin and Jonathan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is a dull red to orange-red over a yellow-green background, often russeted, and it can be lumpy. It's picked in early to mid October and it keeps, somewhere between two and five months depending on who you ask, and it gets better in storage. It's a fresh-eating apple, and with that much sugar and acid it's also a good one for cider. Salt Spring Apple Company calls it \"a very good cider candidate.\"\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. Raintree calls it a vigorous grower. Most sources say it's susceptible to scab, and Cummins notes it does best where summers are cooler.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this part before you plant. Karmijn is a triploid, which means its pollen isn't reliable. Raintree says flatly that it won't pollenize other varieties. It also needs a pollenizer itself, so it can't be one of only two apples in a planting. Put at least two other diploid apples near it that bloom around the same time, and everything works. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sweet-sixteen-apple\"\u003eSweet Sixteen\u003c\/a\u003e are good choices. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ashmeads-kernel-apple\"\u003eAshmead's Kernel\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003eRoxbury Russet\u003c\/a\u003e are triploids too, so they don't count.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've listed it at zone 4 for now. Raintree rates it USDA zone 4, but keep in mind that's an average-winter rating, not a record of the coldest temperature it has survived. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 12px; color: #777; margin-top: 24px;\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Karmijn apple” by ConT, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Karmijn_apple.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Karmijn de Sonaville jm55229” by joergens.mi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Karmijn_de_Sonaville_jm55229.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, cropped; “Malus-Karmijn-de-Sonnaville” by Sven Teschke, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Malus-Karmijn-de-Sonnaville.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/de\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0 de\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Karmijn de Sonnaville 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 Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's based on Raintree's USDA zone 4, which is an average-winter rating, and we haven't wintered our own trees yet. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 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#karmijn-de-sonnaville-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Karmijn de Sonnaville 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 Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), hard cider (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (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 Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Karmijn de Sonnaville Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Karmijn de Sonnaville 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: 3-4 ft or 4-6 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156141760578,"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":45156141793346,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/karmijn-de-sonnaville-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791636991"},{"product_id":"mother-apple","title":"Mother Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mother Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b from its historical range (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 6 of 7, late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 15 to Sep 29 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). 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#mother-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 6 of 7 (late), late spring here. One source lists it as a triploid and we're treating it that way, so plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 5 to 7, and don't count on Mother to pollenize other trees. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 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 15 to Sep 29 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). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on historical 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\u003eFirst year for us, so this is drawn from historical references rather than our own trees. We will update it once we have tasted the fruit here.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMother is a dessert apple and nothing else, and it is worth growing for exactly one reason: the flavor. It is one of those old varieties that tastes like something other than an apple, and people who find it tend to plant it for life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMother originated in Bolton, Massachusetts around 1844 and is sometimes listed as American Mother, mostly to keep it separate from other apples using the same name in England. It was a favorite of nineteenth century New England orchardists and has hung on ever since, never commercially but always in somebody's backyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized, deep red over a gold background. The flesh is yellow, tender and very juicy, and the flavor is what everybody talks about. The usual descriptions are vanilla, pear drops and a balsam note, all sitting on a lot of sugar. It is not a cooking apple and it is not a keeper. Pick it in the fall and eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Figure roughly 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for more airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this part before you plant. We are treating Mother as a triploid, which means its pollen is not reliable and it will not pollenize your other apples. It also needs a pollenizer itself. So Mother cannot be one of only two apples in a planting. Put at least two other diploid apples near it that bloom late, and everything works. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e and most of our crabapples all count.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 3b. That is based on where it has been grown historically in New England and the upper Midwest, not on our own data yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eIllustration: “Mother” from The Apples of New York by S.A. Beach (1905), via Internet Archive Book Images and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:The_apples_of_New_York_(1905)_(19738841592).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain, no known copyright restrictions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Jablka odrůda Matčino” by František Medek, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Jablka_odr%C5%AFda_Mat%C4%8Dino.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; “Mutterapfel jm55049” by joergens.mi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mutterapfel_jm55049.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; “Matčino stromek” by Bergeron55, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mat%C4%8Dino_stromek.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 Mother Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Mother Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Mother Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. We're treating it as a triploid, so plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 5 to 7, and don't count on Mother to pollenize other trees. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Mother Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Mother Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. That's based on where it has been grown historically in New England and the upper Midwest, not on our own winters yet. We'll update it once we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Mother 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#mother-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Mother Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 15 to Sep 29 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 Mother Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Mother 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 Mother Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Mother Apple are fresh eating (8\/10). Since we haven't tasted our own fruit yet, that score leans on historical descriptions. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Mother Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Mother 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":45156152901698,"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":45156152934466,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mother-apples-harvest.jpg?v=1791615627"},{"product_id":"oriole-apple","title":"Oriole Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oriole Apple is an apple 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 5 of 7, mid-late 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 2 to 7. 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 1,000 hours (850 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#oriole-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\/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\/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 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. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. 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), cooking and roasting (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, 3-5 ft or 5-6 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\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew to our lineup, so the information below comes from the University of Minnesota records and from growers who have had it longer than we have.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriole is a big, showy, early apple bred for cold country. It is one of the better early varieties for people who want something worth eating in August rather than just something that survives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased by the University of Minnesota in 1949, from a cross of Okabena and Livland Raspberry. Both parents trace back to the Russian hardy material, and it shows in how far north Oriole will go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is large for an early apple, with yellow to orange skin striped and splashed with red. The flesh is soft, juicy and sweet. It is excellent fresh and it cooks down well, and it makes good sweet cider. Like most early apples it will not store, so use it as it comes off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are offering Oriole on both Bud 118 semi-dwarf and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e full size rootstock. On Bud 118 plan on about 15 feet between trees. On Dolgo give it 18 to 20 feet. One thing worth knowing: Oriole is susceptible to powdery mildew, so site it where it gets air movement and do not crowd it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriole needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to late, so pair it accordingly. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e and most of our crabapples overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 2. The Minnesota program bred it for the north and the parentage supports it, but we have not yet taken it through a hard winter at our own sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Oriole itself. Photos of Oriole are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by Kelsey Todd, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-bunch-of-apples-hanging-from-a-tree-branch-ENcI37ufNSM\" 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Oriole” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Oriole,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-067).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\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Oriole Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Oriole Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Oriole 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\/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 Oriole Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Oriole Apple 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 Oriole 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 850 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#oriole-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Oriole 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 Oriole Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Oriole 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. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Oriole Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Oriole Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Oriole Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Oriole 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":45156160831554,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156160864322,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45156160897090,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45156160929858,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1672155984758-383be9767f5e.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"product_id":"reinette-simirenko-apple","title":"Reinette Simirenko Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reinette Simirenko Apple is an apple tree provisionally listed at zone 3b (winters to -35°F, untested in cold climates), 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 9 to Oct 23 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 7. 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 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#reinette-simirenko-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\/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 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 9 to Oct 23 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\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (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 Reinette Simirenko, 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\u003eReinette Simirenko is a green apple from Ukraine, sometimes sold as Renet Simirenko or Wood's Greening. By the early 1900s it was being grown across much of Ukraine and into Crimea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story goes back to the garden of Platon Fyodorovich Simirenko, a Ukrainian sugar merchant and gardener, in the late 1800s. The sources don't agree on how it got there. The UK's National Fruit Collection says it was found in Simirenko's garden and described in 1895. A 1906 Russian fruit atlas (Atlas plodov) says Simirenko brought it in from Belgium. Either way, the atlas says it got more and more attention from growers after 1887 and was being grown in the Kiev, Poltava, Kharkov, Kherson, Podolsk and Chernigov provinces and in Crimea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized and green, with tender, crisp, greenish-white flesh and a subacid (lightly tart) flavor, according to the National Fruit Collection. It's picked in mid-October in England. It's a fresh-eating apple first. We haven't found good published data on how long it keeps, so we'll report back once we've stored our own.\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've listed it at zone 3b for now, but we want to be upfront that we haven't found a documented survival temperature for it. It was widely grown in Ukraine a century ago, but that doesn't give us a number. Treat it as untested in a cold climate until we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Reinette Simirenko” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Reinette_Simirenko,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1950-114).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\"\u003ePhotos: “Яблуко Ренет Симиренка IMG 0484 02” by Nickispeaki, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%AF%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE_%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0_IMG_0484_02.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; “Яблуко Ренет Симиренка IMG 0484 04” by Nickispeaki, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%AF%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE_%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0_IMG_0484_04.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 Reinette Simirenko Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Reinette Simirenko Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Reinette Simirenko 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\/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 Reinette Simirenko Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Reinette Simirenko Apple at zone 3b for now, which means winters down to about -35°F. We haven't found a documented survival temperature for it and haven't wintered our own trees yet, so treat it as untested in a cold climate. We'll update it once we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Reinette Simirenko 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#reinette-simirenko-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Reinette Simirenko Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 9 to Oct 23 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 Reinette Simirenko Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Reinette Simirenko 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 Reinette Simirenko Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Reinette Simirenko Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Since we're still new to it and haven't stored our own yet, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Reinette Simirenko Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Reinette Simirenko 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":45156166828098,"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":45156166860866,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/reinette-simirenko-apples.jpg?v=1791616254"},{"product_id":"sandow-apple","title":"Sandow Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandow Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (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 an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 9 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 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 (800 to 1,300). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. 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#sandow-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. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \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 9 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 (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/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\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 Sandow, 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\u003eSandow is an open-pollinated seedling of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e raised at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. It bears younger than Spy and it's a bit hardier, and the fruit is a crisp, juicy, red-washed winter apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seed came from apples that fruited at the Central Experimental Farm in 1898, according to W.T. Macoun's The Apple in Canada (1916). Those crosses weren't made by hand, so the other parent is unknown. It was first described in the Farm's 1912 report and officially introduced in 1935. For a while nurseries had it wrong. An Ontario bulletin from the early 1940s said \"somehow most of our nurseries have had something else instead of Sandow,\" though it added that true stock was available by then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original 1912 Ottawa description reads: medium size, roundish and ribbed, yellow \"well washed with deep crimson,\" with yellowish flesh that's \"crisp, tender, juicy,\" subacid, sprightly and pleasant, and a season of \"December to late winter.\" M.B. Davis at Ottawa wrote that the fruit \"is of good size, highly coloured, well finished and very high in quality.\" St. Lawrence Nurseries describes it as aromatic, juicy and crisp \"with a nice, tart 'snap.'\" It's picked from late September to early October, and a 1947 Quebec catalog said it keeps in storage until April. It's mainly a fresh-eating apple, and some growers use it for pies. One warning: like Spy, it's subject to bitter pit.\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. Davis said it \"bears earlier than Spy, on a strong vigorous tree,\" which is a big deal if you've ever waited on a Spy. The tree grows upright and is known to be a little hard to train. It's reported to handle scab better than Spy. If you topwork, a 1952 Canadian government bulletin found Virginia Crab incompatible as a frame for Sandow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSandow needs a pollenizer. We're estimating it blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt. Lawrence Nurseries in northern New York rates Sandow to -40F \"with occasional winter injury.\" Most of the Canadian sources put it hardier than Spy but not as hardy as McIntosh. That lines up with our zone 3 listing, but it's right at the edge, so give it a good site if you see -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Sandow” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Sandow,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1930-044).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\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Sandow Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Sandow Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Sandow Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 Sandow Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Sandow Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That comes from St. Lawrence Nurseries, which rates it to -40°F with occasional winter injury, not from our own winters yet. It's right at the edge, so give it a good site if you see -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Sandow 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 1,300. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Northern Spy. 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#sandow-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Sandow Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 9 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 Sandow Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Sandow 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 Sandow Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Sandow Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), winter storage (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 Sandow Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Sandow 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":45156168204354,"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":45156168237122,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/sandow-apple-fruit-cut.jpg?v=1790181391"},{"product_id":"sweet-sixteen-apple","title":"Sweet Sixteen Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet Sixteen Apple is an apple 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 an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 15 to Sep 29 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 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 1,050 hours (700 to 1,400). 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#sweet-sixteen-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\/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 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 Sep 15 to Sep 29 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 (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/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, 3-4 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\u003eNew to our lineup, so this is drawn from the University of Minnesota records and from growers who have had it longer. We will update once we have fruit here.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet Sixteen is the apple we hand people when they say all apples taste the same. It does not taste like an apple is supposed to taste, and that is the appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased by the University of Minnesota in 1978, from \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e crossed with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e. Frostbite is where the strange flavor and the hardiness both come from. Northern Spy brings the size and the texture. It is one of the better things that program ever did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium to large, red striped over yellow. Crisp, juicy, and the flavor is the whole story. People describe it as cherry candy, vanilla, anise, sometimes bourbon or spice. It is sweet without being flat, and it has enough acid to stay interesting. Excellent fresh, good in pies where that flavor carries through, and a genuinely interesting cider apple. Ripens late September and will keep a couple of months.\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 vigorous and it bears young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet Sixteen needs a pollenizer and blooms mid to late. Northern Spy, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap well, as do our crabapples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 3, which is where Minnesota puts it and where the Frostbite parentage points. We have not run it through a hard winter here yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1021930\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 589906\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Sweet Sixteen itself. Photos of Sweet Sixteen are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Braeburn am Baum” by Markus Hagenlocher, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Braeburn_am_Baum.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/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 Sweet Sixteen Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Sweet Sixteen Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Sweet Sixteen 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\/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 Sweet Sixteen Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Sweet Sixteen Apple 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 Sweet Sixteen 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 700 and 1,400. 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#sweet-sixteen-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Sweet Sixteen Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 15 to Sep 29 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 Sweet Sixteen Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Sweet Sixteen 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 Sweet Sixteen Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Sweet Sixteen Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Sweet Sixteen Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Sweet Sixteen 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":45156175347778,"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":45156175380546,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-striped-apples-on-tree-representative_fd429be2-abca-4c6b-b153-9003bc49fbc2.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"thunderbolt-apple","title":"Thunderbolt Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thunderbolt Apple is an apple tree provisionally rated hardy to zone 4 from its Colorado record (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). 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#thunderbolt-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. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 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\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), sauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (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, 3-5 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 Thunderbolt, so everything below comes from other people's work rather than our own observations here. We will update it once we have fruit and a few winters behind us.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt is a big, dark red winter apple that was effectively lost for decades before the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project tracked it back down in southwest Colorado. It is firm, sharp, and built for storage, and it is one of the more striking apples we have ever put in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt, also known as Hoover, was one of the apples that made Montezuma County, Colorado famous for fruit around the turn of the last century. It was a favorite of Jasper Hall, an early grower known locally as the Fruit Wizard of Montezuma County. The variety slipped out of commerce as old orchards were pulled and replanted to Red Delicious, and for years it existed mostly as a name in old records. Jude and Addie Schuenemeyer of MORP first ran across it in a magazine published in 1909 by a Denver writer named Lillian Hartman, and then spent years hunting for a living tree. They eventually found it in the remnant of an old orchard, grafted everything they could, and only confirmed it later when one of those trees matched another Thunderbolt they had collected north of Cortez.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is large and nearly maroon, with white speckles and flecks of golden brown across the top. The flesh is firm and briskly acidic. This is not an apple to eat off the tree in September. Pick it after a good frost and put it away, because the flavor keeps improving in storage and it will hold most of the winter. That acid makes it useful well beyond fresh eating, so sauce, pies, canning and cider all work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are offering Thunderbolt on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock, so plan on roughly 15 feet between trees, or up to 18 feet if you want more airflow and less pruning pressure down the road.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to late, so pair it with another apple in that window. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap, as do most of our crabapples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are listing it at zone 4 for now, which is where the Colorado record puts it. We have no Montana winter data on it yet, so if you are in a cold pocket of the western valleys or anywhere east of the divide, give it a good site out of frost pooling until we know more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Thunderbolt itself. Photos of Thunderbolt 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\/honeycrisp-apple-fruits-_1JLJ9jOLJ0\" 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Thunderbolt Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Thunderbolt Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Thunderbolt Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 Thunderbolt Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Thunderbolt Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's where its Colorado record puts it. We don't have Montana winter data on it yet, so give it a good site out of frost pooling until we know more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Thunderbolt 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#thunderbolt-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Thunderbolt Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Thunderbolt 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 Thunderbolt Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Thunderbolt Apple are winter storage (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on MORP'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 Thunderbolt Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Thunderbolt Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Thunderbolt 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: 3-5 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45156177969218,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1576179634586-d8c5c8ae5d49.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"product_id":"wise-monkey-apple","title":"Wise Monkey Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wise Monkey Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at zone 4 (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). 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#wise-monkey-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. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \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\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), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (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, 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\u003eNew to us this year, so the notes below come from other growers and from MORP rather than from our own trees. We will update this once we have fruited it here.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWise Monkey is a seedling apple out of southwest Colorado that took a bronze medal for best tasting at the Gnarly Pippins pomological exhibition. That is a competition specifically for seedling apples from around the country, so it is a room full of people whose whole hobby is tasting apples. Placing there means something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was preserved and introduced through the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project in Cortez, Colorado. DNA work puts its parents as Rome crossed with Delicious. The medal came at the fourth annual Gnarly Pippins exhibition, held in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tasting notes from that competition are worth repeating because they are unusually specific. People called it juicy with a rich tartness, and picked out flavors of honey, banana, berry, cookie and grape. It ripens in the fall. With that combination of sugar, acid and aromatics it should do well fresh, hold up in pies, and bring something interesting to a cider blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Figure roughly 15 feet between trees, or 18 feet if you want more room and less annual pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWise Monkey needs a pollenizer, and it 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 and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZone 4 for now. Neither Rome nor Delicious is a hardiness parent, so we are not expecting miracles out of it in a cold site. Give it a warm valley position until we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Wise Monkey itself. Photos of Wise Monkey are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Apples on tree 2011 G1” by George Chernilevsky, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apples_on_tree_2011_G1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Wise Monkey Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Wise Monkey Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Wise Monkey Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). 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 Wise Monkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Wise Monkey Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's an estimate. Neither Rome nor Delicious is a hardiness parent, and we don't have our own winter data yet, so give it a warm valley position until we do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Wise Monkey 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#wise-monkey-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Wise Monkey Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Wise Monkey 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 Wise Monkey Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Wise Monkey Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Since we haven't fruited it yet, those scores lean on the Gnarly Pippins tasting notes 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 Wise Monkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Wise Monkey Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Wise Monkey 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: 3-4 ft or 4-6 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156180754498,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156180787266,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ripe-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791616440"},{"product_id":"wayne-apricot","title":"Wayne Apricot (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wayne Apricot is an apricot 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 (bloom group 7 of 7, very late for an apricot).\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 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#wayne-apricot\"\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 7 of 7 (very late), very early spring here. No source says whether Wayne crops alone, so plant another very late apricot, such as Zard, as a pollenizer. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606 Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eZard Apricot Seedling (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apricot-pollination-map\"\u003eApricot 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\u003eManchurian: full size, about 15 to 20 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest apricot root 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), 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\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 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\u003eThe Best of the Manchurian Seedlings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWayne was bred by Al Precht. He grew out scores of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/manchurian-apricot-bundle-of-2\"\u003eManchurian apricot\u003c\/a\u003e seedlings, and there was one whose flavor stood above all the rest. He named that one Wayne, after one of his Vietnam comrades. Wayne was the best of all of them. We got it from Purvis, and it's at least a zone 3 apricot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe apricots are roughly 1.5 inches in diameter and have good flavor. Unlike some Manchurian apricots, Wayne does not taste woody, which is the usual knock on the hardy Manchurian types.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVery Late Bloom\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Purvis, Wayne blooms very late, so it often avoids spring frosts. With apricots up north, it's usually a frost at bloom, not winter cold, that costs you the crop. A late bloomer gets past more of those frosts than an early one does, and that's worth a lot here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWayne is new for us, so we'll add our own notes once our trees are fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Wayne itself. Photos of Wayne are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Flora of Israel Apricot tree” by Yair Aronshtam, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Flora_of_Israel_Apricot_tree_(14531102502).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e, cropped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Wayne Apricot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Wayne Apricot need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Wayne Apricot is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. No source says whether Wayne crops alone, so plant another very late apricot, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zard-apricot\"\u003eZard\u003c\/a\u003e, as a pollenizer. Partners we carry include Zard Apricot, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dr-606-apricot\"\u003eDr 606 Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/precious-apricot\"\u003ePrecious Apricot\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Wayne Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Wayne Apricot 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 Wayne Apricot 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. Montana winters cover its chill easily, and its later bloom gives it a better shot at missing spring frosts than early prairie apricots. 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#wayne-apricot\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Wayne Apricot get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Wayne Apricot onto Manchurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 15 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Wayne Apricot good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Wayne Apricot are fresh eating (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Wayne Apricot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Wayne Apricot now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Wayne Apricot 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: 3-5 ft or 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\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45177325355074,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Manchurian Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45177325387842,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/wayne-apricot-representative-apricots-on-branch.jpg?v=1791604801"},{"product_id":"clapps-favorite-pear","title":"Clapp's Favorite Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clapp's Favorite 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 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear), and it ripens about Aug 26 to Sep 7 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). One Green World rates it to -25°F or below. 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 (650 to 900). 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#clapps-favorite-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. Clapp's Favorite is not self-fertile. It blooms a little after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, so Bartlett, Concorde or Clara Frijs make good bloom partners. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap® Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 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 26 to Sep 7 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), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (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, 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\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Clapp's Favorite, 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\u003eClapp's Favorite is an old Massachusetts summer pear that looks and eats a lot like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e and ripens a week or so ahead of it. U.P. Hedrick called it \"the standard late summer pear to precede Bartlett\" in The Pears of New York (1921).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came from the Clapp family in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Hedrick credits Thaddeus Clapp and says the date it originated is uncertain, but it was talked up as a promising new fruit at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1860, and the American Pomological Society first listed it in 1867. It's often said to be a cross of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e and Bartlett, but Hedrick said that \"cannot be proved.\" It was taken to England and France early on and did well there too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHedrick says it resembles Bartlett \"in size, shape, color, and flavor,\" and is usually a little bigger. Fedco describes it as pale lemon yellow mottled with bright red, with very juicy, melting, sweet flesh. It ripens a week to ten days before Bartlett. The one trick with it is that it softens at the core soon after it ripens, so pick it early (Hedrick said at least ten days before it would ripen on the tree) and finish it indoors. It's a fresh-eating pear, and Fedco says it makes a great pear wine.\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. Hedrick describes the tree as large, vigorous, long-lived and upright, and says it bears early and regularly. He went as far as saying \"of all pears grown in America, Kieffer not excepted, the trees of Clapp Favorite are most fruitful.\" The big weakness is fire blight. In Hedrick's words, \"no standard pear goes down so quickly as this one when blight is epidemic,\" so keep an eye on it and cut out strikes early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClapp's Favorite needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHedrick wrote that \"after those of Flemish Beauty and Tyson, the trees of this variety show greater hardihood to cold than those of any other standard sort.\" Fedco rates it zone 4 and says it's been common in Maine for well over 100 years, and One Green World says it's hardy to -25F or below. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Clapps Liebling Birne Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof Frucht H16” by Helge Klaus Rieder, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Clapps_Liebling_Birne_Freilichtmuseum_Roscheider_Hof_Frucht_H16.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, released into the public domain under \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Clapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Clapp's Favorite Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Clapp's Favorite Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. It blooms a little after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, so Bartlett, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs\u003c\/a\u003e make good bloom partners. Partners we carry include Clara Frijs Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e® Pear, Concorde Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Clapp's Favorite Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Clapp's Favorite Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Fedco's zone 4 rating, One Green World's -25°F or below, and Hedrick's notes on its hardiness, 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 Clapp's Favorite Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 650 and 900. That comes from published figures for this variety. Tested at about 750 chill hours, typical for a European pear. Cold-winter sites cover it easily. 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#clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Clapp's Favorite Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 26 to Sep 7 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 Clapp's Favorite Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Clapp's Favorite 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 Clapp's Favorite Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Clapp's Favorite Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Clapp's Favorite Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Clapp's Favorite 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":45178197278786,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45178197311554,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/clapps-favorite-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790183964"},{"product_id":"clara-frijs-pear","title":"Clara Frijs Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clara Frijs Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3b from Bob Purvis's reports (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear).\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). Bob Purvis reports flower buds hardy to at least -34°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#clara-frijs-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. Clara Frijs needs a second pear. It blooms a couple of days after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, so Clapp's Favorite or Bartlett give the best overlap. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap® Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 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\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), juice and sweet 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\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 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\u003eThis is our first year growing Clara Frijs, 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\u003eClara Frijs is a Danish summer pear with a reputation for flavor. Fedco quotes grower Mark Fulford, who says it's the \"most like nectar\" of the 40 pear varieties he's grown, and Bob Purvis describes the flavor as \"a cross of honey with vanilla.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full name is Comtesse Clara Frijs. According to Fedco, it was first described in 1858 by J.A. Bentzien in the Danish garden journal Dansk Haugetidende and is thought to come from the village of Skensved. The Danish pomology Danmarks Frugtsorter (1955) also gives Skensved, before 1858, and calls it a major variety in Denmark. Hedrick included it in The Pears of New York (1921).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHedrick's entry is short: \"Fruit medium to large, pale yellow, dotted; flesh white, melting, juicy, sugary, perfumed; good; Aug.\" Fedco adds that it's a warm yellow-green with a rather thick skin, sometimes a slight pink blush, and covered in tiny gray dots, with buttery, aromatic flesh that's \"firm but not crisp\" and has no grit cells. It's a summer pear that ripens well off the tree, and Fedco says it keeps about a month. This is a dessert pear, and Purvis notes it's been very popular at a farmers' market in southwest Minnesota.\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. Purvis says the tree is very productive, and Fedco calls it a \"solid rugged hardy tree.\" We haven't found good data on how it handles fire blight, so don't count on resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant it with another pear. Fedco recommends a second variety for best pollination. It blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis reports flower buds hardy to at least -34F in southwest Minnesota. That's a documented number, and it puts Clara Frijs right at our zone 3b line (-35F). Fedco rates it zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eImage credit: chromolithograph of the ‘Comtesse Clara Frijs’ pear by Henriette Sjöberg (1842 to 1915), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Comtesse_Clara_Frijs_H_Sj%C3%B6berg.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\"\u003ePhoto: “Clara Frijs Skjensvedpaere” by Bahnmoeller, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Clara_Frijs_Skjensvedpaere.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 Clara Frijs Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Clara Frijs Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Clara Frijs Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. It blooms a couple of days after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, so \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e or Bartlett give the best overlap. Partners we carry include Clapp's Favorite Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e® Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/concorde-pear\"\u003eConcorde Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Clara Frijs Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Clara Frijs Pear at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports flower buds hardy to at least -34°F in southwest Minnesota, 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 Clara Frijs 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#clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Clara Frijs Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Clara Frijs 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 Clara Frijs Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Clara Frijs Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (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 Clara Frijs Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Clara Frijs Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Clara Frijs Pear 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: 3-5 ft or 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":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178207109186,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45178207141954,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/clara-frijs-pears-basket.jpg?v=1791615288"},{"product_id":"concorde-pear","title":"Concorde Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concorde Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear).\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 950). 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#concorde-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 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Concorde is about as self-fertile as pears get and will usually crop alone. A partner that blooms with it, such as Clapp's Favorite, can still add to the crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \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, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap® Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 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\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\u003eCooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), perry (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, 2-4 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\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Concorde, 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\u003eConcorde is an English pear from a cross of Conference and Comice. It's big, long-necked and sweet, and it's one of the better keepers among the pears we carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis describes it as \"a British cross of Conference x Comice,\" and it was introduced in England in the 1980s. The USDA's pear genebank in Corvallis, Oregon holds it and notes that it has fruited in Anchorage, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Purvis, \"fruits are large with long necks, excellent sweet flavor, and keep till April in cold storage.\" He also notes the skin is easily damaged in long-distance shipping, which matters more to commercial growers than to backyard ones. It's mainly a fresh-eating pear.\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. Purvis calls the tree upright to spreading, moderate in vigor, precocious, \"grower friendly,\" and says it spurs up well. On fire blight the sources disagree. Purvis has seen some resistance, while other references list it as susceptible, so don't count on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcorde is generally described as self-fertile and will usually crop alone, but we haven't confirmed it ourselves yet, so another pear that blooms with it is cheap insurance for a bigger crop. It blooms mid to mid-late, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurvis reports Concorde \"fully winter-hardy at -34F in SW Minnesota,\" and the USDA genebank records it fruiting in Anchorage. 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=1495612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 665740\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Concorde Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Concorde Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Concorde Pear is self-fertile, so a single tree can usually set fruit. A partner that blooms with it, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, can still add to the crop. Partners we carry include Clapp's Favorite Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e® Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Concorde Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it fully winter-hardy at -34°F in southwest Minnesota, and its record in Anchorage, 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 Concorde 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 950. 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#concorde-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Concorde Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Concorde 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 Concorde Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Concorde Pear are cooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/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 Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Concorde Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Concorde Pear 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":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45178208813122,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/concorde-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130543"},{"product_id":"redstar-peach","title":"Redstar Peach (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Redstar Peach is a peach tree rated hardy to zone 4b from what we've seen of it around Montana (winters to -25°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 8 to Aug 20 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 4b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 4 only (winters to -25°F). From what we've seen of it around Montana, it takes -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 (750 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#redstar-peach\"\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 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach 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 (dated from Redstar we've seen fruiting here, not our own trees yet). 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\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 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 (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to growing 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 Redstar ourselves. Other than what we've seen of it around Montana, 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\u003eRedstar is a mostly red, yellow-fleshed peach that ripens with Redhaven. Of all the peaches we've seen in Montana, it's the most prolific: the longest living, the heaviest bearing and the most consistent bearing of the bunch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRedstar came out of the Stellar breeding program at Fruit Acres Farm in Coloma, Michigan, the same program behind \u003ca href=\"\/products\/glowingstar-peach\"\u003eGlowingstar\u003c\/a\u003e. It was patented in 1998 as FA 52 by Annette and Randy Bjorge, and it's an open-pollinated seedling of Newhaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patent describes the fruit as 65 to 80 mm across (about 2½ to 3 inches) with an 80% red blush over yellow-orange. The flesh is yellow, semi-freestone and doesn't brown when cut. It ripens with Redhaven or up to a few days after, and here in Missoula that means mid-August. The patent calls it a dessert and fresh market peach and rates its shipping and keeping quality as excellent. Ontario's agriculture ministry notes it has few split pits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plum\u003c\/a\u003e, which makes a semi-dwarf peach around 15 feet here, maybe closer to 20 in really deep soil. Plan on 12 to 15 feet between trees. The patent describes a vigorous, spreading, very productive tree that ripens its crop over two pickings, and Rutgers says it has to be thinned hard and early to get big peaches. It also has good resistance to bacterial spot according to the patent, Rutgers, the University of Missouri and Ontario's agriculture ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRedstar is self-fertile, so one tree will set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patent calls Redstar \"very cold hardy,\" with a tree and blossoms hardier than its parent, but it doesn't give a temperature, and Stark Bro's and most other nurseries rate it zone 5. From what we've seen in Montana, it's hardy to -30F. It's not as hardy as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender\u003c\/a\u003e, though, and certainly not as hardy as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-c-peach-seedling-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian C\u003c\/a\u003e. Keep in mind that with any peach, the flower buds give out well before the tree does, so a hard winter can cost you a crop even when the tree comes through fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Redstar itself. Photos of Redstar are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Peaches through the netting” by Paul Long (plong), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/plong\/5723401279\/\" 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 Redstar Peach\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Redstar Peach need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Redstar Peach is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Redstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Redstar Peach at zone 4b, which means winters down to about -25°F. We're new to growing it ourselves, but from what we've seen of it around Montana it takes -30°F. Most nurseries rate it zone 5. We'll update it once our own trees have been through some winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Redstar Peach need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 950. That comes from published figures for this variety. Likely 850 to 950 hours like its Newhaven parent. Montana winters cover that; flower buds are the weak point in hard winters. 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#redstar-peach\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Redstar Peach ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula, Montana (dated from Redstar we've seen fruiting here, not our own trees yet). 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 Redstar Peach get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Redstar Peach onto Prairie Red (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Redstar Peach good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Redstar Peach are fresh eating (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Since we're still new to growing it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Redstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Redstar Peach 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":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178341589058,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-peaches-on-tree.jpg?v=1791617259"},{"product_id":"golden-russett-bosc","title":"Golden Russet Bosc Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Russet Bosc Pear is a pear 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 a European pear).\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 9. 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 800 hours (500 to 1,000). Same as its parent, Bosc. 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#golden-russett-bosc\"\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. Bosc needs a pollenizer. Bartlett, Seckel or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e work well, while \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou\u003c\/a\u003e usually blooms too early to be reliable. 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\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 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\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\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), pies and baking (9\/10), cooking and roasting (9\/10), winter storage (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), salads and slicing (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, 5-7 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\u003eAlthough we have grown Bosc in the past, we have not grown the bud sport of it here, which is the Golden Russet Bosc. Similar to our description of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou\u003c\/a\u003e, Golden Russet Bosc is super tasty when tree ripened. This is how these are meant to taste. It's roughly the same in hardiness as D'Anjou, as these have done well in the warmer valleys of Western Montana. Likely not hardy below -35°F, these are however a solid zone 4 tree, and even zone 3b in protected sites that are out of where frost settles.\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=1020038\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 637986\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Golden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Golden Russet Bosc Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Golden Russet Bosc Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Bosc needs a pollenizer. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e work well, while \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou\u003c\/a\u003e usually blooms too early to be reliable. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Golden Russet Bosc Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Golden Russet Bosc 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 Golden Russet Bosc 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. It's a sport of Bosc, so it needs the same chill. It's not a good pick 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#golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Golden Russet Bosc Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Golden Russet Bosc 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 Golden Russet Bosc Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Golden Russet Bosc Pear are fresh eating (9\/10), pies and baking (9\/10), cooking and roasting (9\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Golden Russet Bosc Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Golden Russet Bosc Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Golden Russet Bosc Pear 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":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45181105242178,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45181105274946,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-russet-bosc-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130543"},{"product_id":"glowingstar-peach","title":"Glowingstar Peach (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glowingstar Peach is a peach tree we've estimated at zone 4b (winters to -25°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Sep 1 to Sep 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 4b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 4 only (winters to -25°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 850 hours (750 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#glowingstar-peach\"\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 6 of 7 (late), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-peach\"\u003eSiberian C Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach 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 1 to Sep 13 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\u003eKrymsk 86: full size. 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 (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/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\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, 5-7 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\u003eThis is our first year growing Glowingstar, 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\u003eGlowingstar is a late, large, yellow freestone peach from Michigan's Stellar series, and it's known for two things: good bud hardiness and good resistance to bacterial spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlowingstar came out of the Stellar breeding program at Fruit Acres Farm in Coloma, Michigan, started by Jim Friday in 1982 and carried on by Annette and Randy Bjorge. It was patented in 1998 as FA 17, and the patent gives its parents as Fayette and Newhaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRutgers describes it as medium-large, round and attractive, 60 to 70% orange-scarlet red, yellow-fleshed and freestone, \"firm with good flavor.\" The patent notes the flesh doesn't brown when cut. It ripens about three to four weeks after Redhaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Krymsk 86, which makes a tree around 15 feet here. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 if you prune hard or 18 with less pruning. Rutgers calls the tree vigorous, spreading and productive. Four separate sources, including Rutgers and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, rate it resistant or tolerant to bacterial spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlowingstar is self-fertile, so one tree will set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUniversity of Maine Extension names Glowingstar among the newer varieties with good bud hardiness, and a Michigan State peach specialist called it \"attractive, hardy.\" We haven't found an actual temperature it's survived, though. We've listed it at 4b for now as an estimate, and we'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Glowing Star-8089” by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jacksonsorchard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eJackson's Orchard\u003c\/a\u003e, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jacksonsorchard\/18356795145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under \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 Glowingstar Peach\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Glowingstar Peach need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Glowingstar Peach is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redstar-peach\"\u003eRedstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/risingstar-peach\"\u003eRisingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/veteran-peach\"\u003eVeteran Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Glowingstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Glowingstar Peach at zone 4b for now, which means winters down to about -25°F. That's an estimate based on reports of good bud hardiness, not a documented survival temperature or our own winters. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Glowingstar Peach need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 950. That comes from published figures for this variety. Probably 750 to 950 hours. Montana winters meet that easily, and its later bloom helps it dodge spring frost. 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#glowingstar-peach\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Glowingstar Peach ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 1 to Sep 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 Glowingstar Peach get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Glowingstar Peach onto Krymsk 86 (full size). Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Glowingstar Peach good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Glowingstar Peach are fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (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 Glowingstar Peach?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Glowingstar Peach 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":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45181661642818,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45181662691394,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/glowingstar-peach-fruit.jpg?v=1790130543"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/late-blooming-fruit-trees\/plum-tree.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}