{"title":"Zone 4 Fresh-Eating Apples","description":"\u003cp class=\"mft-zone-btn\" style=\"margin:0 0 16px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\" style=\"display:inline-block;padding:11px 20px;border-radius:4px;background:#3e6b33;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3\"\u003eMFTC Zones, Not USDA Averages: Look Up Your Address →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe best eating apples that can take a zone 4 winter, the ones you pick off the tree and eat. Everything is listed A to Z, and the plants rated only to 4b, the warmer half of the zone (-25°F to -20°F), have a 4b tag on them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelated: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/zone-3-fresh-eating-apples\"\u003eZone 3 Fresh-Eating Apples\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-apples-for-fresh-eating\"\u003eBest Apples for Fresh Eating\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/zone-4-fruit-trees\"\u003eZone 4 Fruit Trees \u0026amp; Berries\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions We Get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat does zone 4 mean on your scale?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn our MFTC scale, zone 4 means the coldest night you should plan for (the 1-in-30-year low) falls between -30°F and -20°F. Zone 4a runs -30°F to -25°F and zone 4b runs -25°F to -20°F. That is colder than a USDA zone 4, which is built on the average yearly low, so run your address through our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e instead of going off a USDA map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"carroll-apple","title":"Carroll Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carroll 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 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 18 to Aug 30 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 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 (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#carroll-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 18 to Aug 30 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarroll Apple: Hardy, Early, and Packed with Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe were introduced to Carroll by Roger Joy in the summer of 2016 and were instantly impressed. This apple is a delicious fresh-eating variety, ripening in the Bitterroot and Missoula Valleys in late August, making it a fairly early-season apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIt has a spicy-tangy sweetness that stands out and makes it a favorite for snacking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigins and Breeding Background\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarroll was developed at the Morden Research Breeding Station in Manitoba, Canada and is known for its exceptional cold hardiness, surviving temperatures down to -50°F or colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIts Melba parent (a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mcintosh-apple-seedling-open-pollination\"\u003eMcIntosh seedling\u003c\/a\u003e) contributes the dominant white flesh gene commonly found in McIntosh derivatives. The real game-changer for hardiness, however, comes from its other parent—Moscow Pear Apple—which likely boosts its survivability well beyond McIntosh’s typical -40°F threshold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Qualities and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarroll produces large apples, typically 3 to 4 inches in diameter, with a distinctive flavor profile that combines spicy, tangy, and sweet notes—making it an excellent choice for fresh eating. Though we primarily enjoy it right off the tree, it’s also reported to perform well in pies and sauces, offering rich flavor complexity when cooked. One notable trait of Carroll is that it’s among the first apple varieties to defoliate in the fall, often signaling the seasonal shift before others. According to Roger Joy, “The canopy is vigorous and rounded, with lateral branches originating from wide angles, capable of supporting heavy crops of this wonderful fruit.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Growing Recommendations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCarroll is a solid Zone 2 apple, making it ideal for growers in extremely cold regions. All of our Carroll trees are grafted onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e rootstock, one of the hardiest rootstocks available, known for thriving in climates that dip below -50F or more, as well as Bud 118 (Hardy to about -45 to -50F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Carroll Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Carroll Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Carroll Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Carroll Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Carroll 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 Carroll 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#carroll-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Carroll Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 18 to Aug 30 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 Carroll Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Carroll Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Carroll Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Carroll Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Carroll Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Carroll 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 Rootstock: 3-5 ft","offer_id":45125056823362,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size Rootstock: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45125056856130,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf Rootstock: 5-7 ft (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125056888898,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size Rootstock: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125056921666,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/carroll-apple-harvest.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"centennial-apple-crab","title":"Centennial Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Centennial Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (500 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#centennial-apple-crab\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIntroduced in 1957 by the University of Minnesota, Centennial is closely related to the beloved \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e. While Kerr is a cross of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e x \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, Centennial is the result of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e x Dolgo—a pairing that brings both cold hardiness and flavor potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is our second year offering Centennial, though. While we haven’t tasted the fruit yet, we’ve been impressed by the tree’s resilience—zero winter injury at Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, MT after a winter that saw -47°F on his site. It’s also a favorite among growers in Alaska, which says a lot about its toughness. Here is a direct quote from Ed, “\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFlavor is excellent. And they’re really pretty. They’ve got a yellowish pink skin. They come on earlier but they hang on the tree a long time and stay good without getting mealy. Centennial ripens end of August\/first part of September.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eAccording to the University of Minnesota:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e“Large, red-over-orange crabapple that is excellent for fresh eating and sauce, but does not store well.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eRipens late August in Montana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eBest used fresh or for sauce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to at least -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGreat for Zone 2 and colder regions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Centennial trees are grafted onto the hardy full size Dolgo and semi-dwarf Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Centennial Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Centennial Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Centennial Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Centennial Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Centennial Applecrab hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Centennial Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Not tested. Its parents are Wealthy (800 to 1,000 hours) and Dolgo (about 500), so we estimate around 750. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Centennial Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 4 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Centennial Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Centennial Applecrab onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Centennial Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Centennial Applecrab are fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Centennial Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Centennial Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125064294466,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125064327234,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125064360002,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":45125064392770,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/centennial-applecrab-fruit.jpg?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"chestnut-crabapple","title":"Chestnut Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chestnut Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 950). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chestnut-crabapple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e and 42 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. Bud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChestnut, developed by the University of Minnesota, is technically an applecrab—50% apple and 50% crabapple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe parentage of Chestnut is a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eSiberian Crab\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/malinda-apple\"\u003eMalinda\u003c\/a\u003e, released by the University of Minnesota in 1946.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut don’t let the “crabapple” part fool you. Hand this to someone who thinks crabapples are too tart or ornamental, and you’ll likely make a believer out of them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOne of the sweetest applecrabs we’ve tried\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn Fall 2023 (Kalispell orchard), we noted hints of bubblegum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn Fall 2024 (WARC field day), the flavor shifted to nutty, mellow, sweet, and less acidic. Super yummy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipens 1–2 weeks before \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, making it a perfect complementary variety\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWant something intense and tangy? Go with Kerr\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWant something smooth, sweet, and nutty? Get Chestnut\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipening \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRipens early: 1st–2nd week of September in western Montana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGreat for fresh eating, but also works in sauces or ciders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eStores decently for a crabapple\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardy to at least -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIdeal for Zone 2 and possibly colder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEarly enough to ripen even in parts of Alaska\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Tree Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Chestnut applecrabs are grafted onto Bud 118, hardy to -50 F or more, and M26, which is less hardy (to -40F) and a little less dwarfing. If buying Chestnut on M26 and you can experience sub -40F, then bury the graft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Chestnut Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Chestnut Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Chestnut Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Chestnut Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Chestnut Applecrab hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Chestnut Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 950. That comes from published figures for this variety. Blooms early, with Dolgo. Lab tests put it well below standard apples, about 750 hours. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Chestnut Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 10 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Chestnut Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Chestnut Applecrab onto M26 (dwarf to semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 8 to 14 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Chestnut Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Chestnut Applecrab are fresh eating (9\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Chestnut Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Chestnut Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42498963603522,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42498963701826,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chestnut-applecrab-harvest-in-hand.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"empire-apple","title":"Empire Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Empire 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 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 29 to Oct 11 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). 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 800 hours (600 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#empire-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 29 to Oct 11 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. \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), salads and slicing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (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\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft 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;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis is Bruce Benson’s favorite apple—and for good reason. Developed by Cornell University in the 1940s as an open-pollinated cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, this variety might surprise you. Don’t let its Red Delicious parentage fool you; it has inherited more of its McIntosh genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eRegional Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese apples have been growing in Montana since at least the 1970s and have performed exceedingly well in the western parts of the state, including the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, and Mission valleys. We’ve also seen them thriving in Idaho, particularly near Kamiah and Orofino.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOf course, this apple is also grown extensively in New York and throughout the Northeast and East Coast. However, if you live in the eastern part of Montana or in areas where winter lows drop below -40°F, consider a different variety. While this apple \u003cem\u003emight\u003c\/em\u003e survive sub -40°F temperatures, based on its parentage—McIntosh's limit is around -40°F (or slightly lower), and Red Delicious is even less hardy—we recommend choosing a more cold-tolerant variety in those regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eVersatile Culinary Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eEmpire apples are great for fresh eating, drying, sauces, and other processing or culinary pursuits. They’re truly an all-purpose apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eRootstock Information for Spring 2027\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Empire onto Spy 227. These trees are one year older and come in 2-3 ft. and 3-5 ft. sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpy 227: \u003c\/strong\u003eFull size, hardy to at least -50F, possibly more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSpy 227 is hardier than Empire itself, so the variety is the limiting factor here. We wouldn’t suggest growing Empire if your area consistently sees temperatures below -45°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Empire on wood 1” by Nerd271, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Empire_on_wood_1.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; “Empires on cloth 2” by Nerd271, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Empires_on_cloth_2.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 Empire Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Empire Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Empire Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Empire Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Empire Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°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 Empire Apple 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. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Nurseries agree on about 600 to 800 chill hours. Montana winters cover that with lots 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#empire-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Empire Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 29 to Oct 11 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 Empire Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Empire Apple onto Spy 227 (full size).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Empire Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Empire Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Empire Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Empire 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: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125836570690,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499062235202,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/empire-apple.jpg?v=1791615456"},{"product_id":"red-gravenstein","title":"Gravenstein Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gravenstein 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 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 29 to Sep 11 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 700 hours (700 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#red-gravenstein\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 101 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 11 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\u003eSauce and butter (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), drying (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, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-wrap-mode: wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"white-space-collapse: preserve;\"\u003eWe have updated out hardiness for Gravenstein. Not only has this \u003c\/span\u003evariety been successfully growing on Bruce Benson’s farm in Missoula for over 50 years, enduring multiple -30°F winters, it has survived well for Les McCartney in the low spot of the Gallatin Valley in Bozeman, MT, having seen -45F without much winter injury. Gravenstein is a solid zone 2b apple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eImportant Growing Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein comes with a few specific requirements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTriploid Variety\u003c\/strong\u003e: It cannot pollenize other apples and requires \u003cstrong\u003etwo diploid pollenizers\u003c\/strong\u003e with overlapping bloom times for successful fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly Blooming\u003c\/strong\u003e: Choose pollenizers accordingly to match its bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot a Good Keeper\u003c\/strong\u003e: This apple does not store well post-harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance and Susceptibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusceptible to\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fireblight, powdery mildew, bitter pit, and apple scab\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResistant to\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cedar-apple rust\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGravenstein has a distinctive sweet-tart flavor, often appreciated for its honey-like notes, making it a favorite for fresh eating and cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness Zone and Recommendations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe list Gravenstein at zone 2b (-45°F), based on how it’s done for Les McCartney in Bozeman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Gravensteiner Gut Wulksfelde” by Bahnmoeller, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gravensteiner_Gut_Wulksfelde.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; “Arche Noah - Gravensteiner” by Haeferl, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Arche_Noah_-_Gravensteiner.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; “Malus Gravensteiner 4481” by Sven Teschke, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Malus_Gravensteiner_4481.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/de\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0 de\u003c\/a\u003e; “Gravensteiner (apple) jm120648” by joergens.mi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gravensteiner_(apple)_jm120648.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 Gravenstein Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Gravenstein Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Gravenstein Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Gravenstein Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Gravenstein 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 Gravenstein Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Gravenstein needs about 700 chill hours, on the low side for an apple. 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#red-gravenstein\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Gravenstein Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 11 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 Gravenstein Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Gravenstein 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 Gravenstein Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Gravenstein Apple are sauce and butter (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Gravenstein Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Gravenstein 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. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499184656450,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45131995086914,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45131995119682,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/gravenstein-apples.jpg?v=1791615802"},{"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":"kerr-crab","title":"Kerr Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kerr Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 11 to Sep 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 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Our notes have it taking -47°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 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#kerr-crab\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 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\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Bud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (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, 3-4 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\u003eOne of our all-time favorites, Kerr is an applecrab (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e x \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e) bred by W.L. Kerr at the Canada Experimental Farm in 1938 and released in 1952. First introduced to us by Roger Joy in the summer of 2016, this variety immediately stood out. It’s Roger’s favorite, and we totally get why. It. has since become one of our go-to applecrabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold, complex flavor with a beautiful red skin and yellow-tinged flesh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavor notes people have reported: \u003cem\u003e\"Floral, cinnamon, cherry, grape, almond, pineapple, and even hoppy\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest for fresh eating, but also makes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGorgeous rosé-colored cider\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVibrant pink applesauce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn amazing addition to oatmeal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStores actually fairly well for several months. Loses flavor but as of 2\/22\/26 (when this was written), we've got lots in the fridge. Again, flavor is not as strong as right off the tree, and they have become a bit mealy, but they aren't bad. However, they did not store nearly as well for us in 2025 because they were picked in the latter part of their two week window to harvest the fruit. If harvested in the earlier part of that window, they will keep significantly longer. A quick rough estimate would be that for every day one waits to harvest the tree in that window, their shelf life drops a week. It would be interesting to compare this phenomenon with other apples across the board because perhaps this holds true generally?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe love it alongside \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha crabapples\u003c\/a\u003e—together they make an unbeatable trio for flavor and versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurvived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, although it did have a little bit of limb damage at those temps (not to the trunk, though).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to -50°F (zone 2), with some winter damage but not to the trunk. Its limit may be a tad colder. Look towards \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e for even hardier applecrabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Kerr Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Kerr Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kerr Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Kerr Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Kerr Applecrab hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our notes have it taking -47°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Kerr Applecrab 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. That comes from published figures for this variety. Lab tests put Kerr a bit below standard apples, about 800 hours on the grower scale. 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#kerr-crab\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Kerr Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 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 Kerr Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Kerr Applecrab 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. Some sizes are on Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Kerr Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Kerr Applecrab are fresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Kerr Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Kerr Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42751565463618,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133588627522,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133588660290,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/kerr-applecrab-in-hand.webp?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"macoun-apple","title":"Macoun Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Macoun 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 14 to Sep 27 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (750 to 1,100). 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#macoun-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 14 to Sep 27 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \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), salads and slicing (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 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\u003eIf you're a McIntosh fan, you’ll love Macoun. A late-season heir to the McIntosh legacy, Macoun is an excellent fresh-eating apple that typically ripens around the same time as McIntosh (end of September in Missoula). It’s also a great option for pies since it doesn't break down in the oven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMacoun is one of the best McIntosh derivatives with a better crunch than McIntosh. It's also juicier and the flavor lingers longer. It’s one of Luke and Rod McIver’s favorite apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness and Growing Regions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne downside of Macoun is that it isn’t very hardy for most of Montana. It will thrive in areas like Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Hamilton, Plains, and other parts of Western Montana where temperatures don’t typically dip below -35°F. Like McIntosh, this is the lower limit of cold hardiness for Macoun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may work in Billings or warmer microclimates that experience slightly colder temperatures, but Macoun is not suitable for areas consistently below -35°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTree Size and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Macoun trees available are 4-6 feet tall bare-root trees, grafted onto Bud 118 rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Macoun Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Macoun Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Macoun Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Macoun Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Macoun 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 Macoun Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 1,100. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. That's about the same as its McIntosh parent. Montana winters cover that 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#macoun-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Macoun Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 14 to Sep 27 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 Macoun Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Macoun 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 Macoun Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Macoun Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Macoun Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Macoun 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. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42500857790530,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/macoun-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789020604"},{"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":"norkent-apple","title":"Norkent Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Norkent 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 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), 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 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°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 1,000 hours (850 to 1,150). 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#norkent-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. 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 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\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Bud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (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 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\u003eNorkent is a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e (a true apple) and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e (an apple x crabapple hybrid). Norkent is one of the best tasting of the \"Nor\" series of apples, and is very hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough we've only been growing Norkent for a couple years, we’ve been impressed by its performance in Montana’s brutal winters. It has shown remarkable resilience, including surviving -47°F on Ed Schultz’s farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT without any winter injury. Ed considers it the best tasting apple in the “Nor Series,” which aligns with reports describing Norkent as one of the best-flavored ultra-hardy apples available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorkent has almost a pear-like flavor and is great for fresh eating apple. It’s a summer variety, meaning it ripens early enough to be suitable for short growing seasons like those in Alaska and Canada, where winters can reach -50°F or colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond fresh eating, Norkent is also used in sauces, cider, and other culinary applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy throughout zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan withstand temperatures to -47°F, although possibly colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes Norkent an excellent option for growers in the coldest parts of Eastern Montana, the Canadian Prairies, and many parts of Alaska, although interior Alaska should still site Norkent appropriately with good drainage and out of frost pooling areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpring 2027 Availability and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we are offering Norkent on several rootstocks:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBud 118:\u003c\/strong\u003e While often categorized as a semi-standard rootstock, in Montana’s calcareous (high pH) soils, it behaves more like a semi-dwarf. Growers in Washington’s Yakima Valley have observed the same. Hardy to -50°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full-size rootstock, hardy to -55°F or more. Excellent for growers in extreme cold climates needing maximum resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Norkent Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Norkent Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Norkent Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Norkent Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Norkent Apple hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°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 Norkent 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 1,150. 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#norkent-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Norkent Apple 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 Norkent Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Norkent 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. Some sizes are on Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Norkent Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Norkent 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 Norkent Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Norkent 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":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502494355522,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134064451650,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42502494289986,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/norkent-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020679"},{"product_id":"northern-spy-apple","title":"Northern Spy Apple (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":"prairie-sensation-apple","title":"Prairie Sensation Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prairie Sensation Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 2 from Ed Schultz's tree in Gallatin Gateway (winters to -50°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 4 to Sep 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 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#prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. 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 4 to Sep 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\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we haven't tasted it ourselves yet, so they lean on the University of Saskatchewan's reports 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\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePrairie Sensation left a big impression on us in its very first season. At Ed Schultz’s orchard in Gallatin Gateway, the tree looked fantastic the summer after enduring a brutal -47°F winter, a strong sign of its exceptional cold hardiness. And it happens to be Ed's favorite apple of the scores he has grown over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred for the Prairies, Perfect for Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred by the University of Saskatchewan, Prairie Sensation is a cross between Brookland and M359. While we haven’t yet tasted it ourselves, the University reports glowing feedback:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Prairie Sensation has continued to score well in informal taste tests since 1993. Groups of growers, students, horticulture societies, faculty, and staff consistently rated it as one of the best of our selections. The flavor is a mild subacid with an intense aromatic component.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy Grow It?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor: Mildly tart with a rich, aromatic punch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness: Survives -50°F or colder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eVisual Appeal: The tree is vigorous, healthy, and visually impressive, especially after extreme winters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpring 2027 Availability and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOur Spring 2027 Prairie Sensation trees are grafted onto Bud 118 and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, and are one year older (Spring bench grafted in 2025). Therefore, the rootstock is going on its fourth year whereas the tops are going on their third year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePerfect for those in Montana, the Dakotas, interior Canada, and any area with harsh winters and short seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Prairie Sensation Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Prairie Sensation Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Prairie Sensation Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Prairie Sensation Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Prairie Sensation Apple at zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. That comes from Ed Schultz's tree in Gallatin Gateway, which looked fantastic the summer after a -47°F winter, rather than from our own trees, which are still young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Prairie Sensation 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-sensation-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Prairie Sensation Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 4 to Sep 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 Sensation Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Prairie Sensation Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Prairie Sensation Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Prairie Sensation Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Since we haven't tasted it ourselves yet, those scores lean on the University of Saskatchewan's taste tests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Prairie Sensation Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Prairie Sensation 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. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503453409346,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503453507650,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134365360194,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134365392962,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-sensation-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"ribston-pippin-cider-apple","title":"Ribston Pippin Cider Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ribston Pippin Cider 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 25 to Oct 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 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -40°F. We're listing it conservatively until we have more data. 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#ribston-pippin-cider-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. 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 3 to 5. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 104 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 25 to Oct 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\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePerhaps the most famous apple variety from Yorkshire, England, Ribston Pippin was a Victorian favorite prized for its strong, aromatic flavor. It remains a standout for fresh eating and cider, with a rich history and excellent character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLuke’s 2023 Tasting Notes (Missoula Harvest)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Honey flavor with hints of grape. Dense apple with an interesting woody texture that makes you continually want more. Decent acidity and good sweetness. Medium thickness in terms of the skin.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is one of our favorite apples for fresh eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeyed, with subtle grape notes; aromatic and complex\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense with a unique, slightly woody bite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin: \u003c\/strong\u003eYellow, flushed orange, streaked red, with russeting at the base and apex\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest after:\u003c\/strong\u003e A month or so of storage to reach full flavor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent for fresh eating, culinary applications, and sweet-sharp hard or soft cider\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHeritage \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eRibston Pippin is most likely the parent of Cox's Orange Pippin, one of the world’s most famous apple varieties. It’s a classic example of English heirloom apples bred for complexity and depth of flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFairly hardy, but not among our most cold-hardy apples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to -35°F (zone 3b), possibly -40°F, but may struggle in parts of Eastern Montana where temperatures drop below that\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eGrafted onto Bud 118, a super-hardy semi-dwarf rootstock, which adds resilience and size control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eImage Credit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Markus Hagenlocher under CC 3.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ribston Pippin Cider Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ribston Pippin Cider Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Ribston Pippin Cider 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 3 to 5. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ribston Pippin Cider Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ribston Pippin Cider Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -40°F. We're listing it conservatively until we have more data. 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 Ribston Pippin Cider 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#ribston-pippin-cider-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ribston Pippin Cider Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 25 to Oct 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 Ribston Pippin Cider Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ribston Pippin Cider 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 Ribston Pippin Cider Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ribston Pippin Cider Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (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 Ribston Pippin Cider Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Ribston Pippin Cider 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":45134529167426,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45134529200194,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (1 Year Older)","offer_id":42504516796482,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ribston-pippin-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"snowsweet-apple","title":"Snowsweet® Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snowsweet® Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 as a conservative estimate (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 19 to Oct 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 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 1,200). 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#snowsweet-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 19 to Oct 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\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalads and slicing (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), pies and baking (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, 3-5 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 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe're still fairly new to Snowsweet, an introduction from the University of Minnesota around 2005. According to Bob Purvis, who provided the scion wood for our grafts, Snowsweet has the following characteristics:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Size \u0026amp; Texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e The apples are large, crisp, and very sweet with low acidity. The flesh is fine-grained, juicy, and does not brown when cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRipening \u0026amp; Storage: \u003c\/strong\u003eSnowsweet ripens mid to late September in Idaho, so we expect it to ripen in Missoula in late September and in Eastern Montana in early to mid October. These apples store well, lasting at least 4 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBased on the University of Minnesota’s description, Snowsweet is expected to be comparable in hardiness to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e. While we have found Haralson to withstand temperatures down to -50F, we have observed Honeycrisp experiencing winter damage at around -46F, particularly when frost damage reaches the trunk. Given these observations, we conservatively estimate that Snowsweet is hardy to at least -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur friends at Swanson's Mountain View Orchard, which is the largest orchard in the state of Montana, have told us that their customers cannot get enough of their Snowsweet apples, which is why they are planting even more in the coming years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOur Spring 2027 Snowsweet trees are grafted onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e rootstock, known for their cold hardiness, reportedly surviving temperatures down to -50F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSince these Snowsweet are grafted onto full size Dolgo, plan to plant these anywhere between 16-20 ft. apart. If planted on the lower end of this spectrum, a more rigorous pruning regiment will be required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eUpdates Coming Soon\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSince this is still only our third year growing Snowsweet, we look forward to gaining more firsthand experience with its flavor and performance. We will update this description once we have more personal insights to share!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Snowsweet® Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Snowsweet® Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Snowsweet® Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Snowsweet® Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Snowsweet® Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That's a conservative estimate. The University of Minnesota compares it to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, and we've seen Haralson take -50°F and Honeycrisp get damaged around -46°F. We'll adjust it as our own Snowsweet trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Snowsweet® 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#snowsweet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Snowsweet® Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 19 to Oct 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 Snowsweet® Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Snowsweet® 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. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Snowsweet® Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Snowsweet® Apple are salads and slicing (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), pies and baking (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 Snowsweet® Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Snowsweet® 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":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42504633417794,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/snowsweet-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789021077"},{"product_id":"trailman-crab","title":"Trailman Applecrab (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trailman Applecrab is an applecrab tree rated hardy to zone 1b in our ratings (winters to -55°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 1b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 1 only (winters to -55°F). Our notes have it taking -47°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#trailman-crab\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft or 3-4 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1973, Trailman is a cold-hardy apple crab that consistently produces heavy crops of small, orange-peach-colored fruits (1–1.5” in size). It’s a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail\u003c\/a\u003e and Osman, and one of the best-performing applecrabs we've seen for extreme northern climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDon’t let the size fool you—Trailman packs a punch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSweet with a bold tart kick – might be a bit much for some early on, but if left to ripen longer, it mellows into a sweeter, nuttier profile\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHas a flavor somewhat similar to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Crab\u003c\/a\u003e (although more flavorful and less sweet) with a nice crunch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLikely a great addition to hard cider blends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSurvived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard near Bozeman in 2024 with zero damage. Alaska Fruit Trees lists it as one of their hardiest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEstimated hardiness: -50°F to -60°F, making it ideal for extreme cold climates in zone 2 and zone 1b. We're listing it conservatively at zone 1b (-55°F) until we have more data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRootstock Info\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, these trees are one year older and grafted onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e and Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Trailman Applecrab\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Trailman Applecrab need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Trailman Applecrab needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Trailman Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Trailman Applecrab hardy to zone 1b, which means winters down to about -55°F. Our notes have it taking -47°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Trailman Applecrab need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Morden applecrab bred for the prairies. Chill estimated around 700 hours and untested where winters are mild. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#trailman-crab\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Trailman Applecrab ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 27 to Sep 8 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Trailman Applecrab get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Trailman Applecrab onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Trailman Applecrab good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Trailman Applecrab are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Trailman Applecrab?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Trailman Applecrab with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42507281236034,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42507281334338,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42507281268802,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/trailman-applecrab-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"tropical-winter-apple","title":"Tropical Winter Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tropical Winter 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 2 to Oct 12 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 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#tropical-winter-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. 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 2 to Oct 12 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\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;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis apple is unlike anything we've ever had, and in a very good way. It has been growing on David and Janet Stickler’s Amazing Grace Farm on the west side of the Missoula Valley for at least 60 years. While it resembles Winter Banana in appearance, it lacks the classic suture that typically defines Winter Banana. We planned to get this apple DNA 'fingerprinted' to see what it is but have not done so yet. Until then, we are calling it Tropical Winter. If it turns out to be a named cultivar, we will update you accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe flavor of this apple is exceptional. According to Elizabeth, it has a honey flavor that is sweet and very pleasant. Luke recalls the flavor having tropical fruit notes with hints of pineapple and honey. The apple has a great crunch and is very juicy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHarvesting Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe apples are ready for harvest when the green skin turns to yellow. Once this happens, the flavor transformation is night and day compared to unripe apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eNot all apples will turn yellow at the same time, so expect to harvest over a 1-2 week period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis is a late apple, ripening in Missoula between the first and second weeks of October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe apple has survived in one of the coldest, lowest parts of Missoula, withstanding temperatures near -40F without winter injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Planting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe have grafted this onto Bud 118 rootstock, which is hardy to -45 to -50F. This apple is untested in areas where temperatures regularly fall below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Tropical Winter Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Tropical Winter Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Tropical Winter Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Tropical Winter Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Tropical Winter 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 Tropical Winter 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. A long-standing Missoula tree, so it's proven in our winters. Chill need is estimated at 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#tropical-winter-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Tropical Winter Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 2 to Oct 12 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 Tropical Winter Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Tropical Winter 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 Tropical Winter Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Tropical Winter Apple are fresh eating (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Tropical Winter Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Tropical Winter 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":42508230492226,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45141837545538,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/tropical-winter-apple-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021269"},{"product_id":"zestar-apple","title":"Zestar!® Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zestar!® 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 19 to Sep 2 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 800 hours (700 to 1,100). 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#zestar-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-splendor-crabapple\"\u003eRed Splendor Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 19 to Sep 2 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. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), 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, 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;\"\u003eZestar! is another standout from the University of Minnesota, bred from a cross of State Fair x MN 1691. An early to mid-season apple, it ripens in late August to early September at Benson’s Farm in Missoula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eCrunchy, subacid, and pleasantly spiced—with a hint of cinnamon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOnly tried fresh so far, but we love the refreshing snap and complex flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOne of the best-storing summer apples we’ve grown—holds up over two months in the fridge without turning mealy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHardy to -40F, and possibly -45F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eUse caution in regions colder than that—this variety may not hold up in Zone 2 or colder pockets without protection. Zestar! and many other University of Minnesota apples do not shut down early enough in time in the Fall for Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway, MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Growing Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Zestar! onto the full size Spy 227. These were actually grafted in 2025 and will have been growing for two years before the time of fulfillment in Spring 2027. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpy 227 rootstock produces a standard size tree. At maturity, they require spacing of approximately 18–20 feet between trees. With intensive pruning and canopy management, closer spacing may be possible, while wider spacing can improve airflow and light penetration in humid or disease-prone sites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Zestar!® Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Zestar!® Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Zestar!® Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-splendor-crabapple\"\u003eRed Splendor Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Zestar!® Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Zestar!® 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 Zestar!® Apple 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. That comes from published figures for this variety. Montana winters cover that 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#zestar-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Zestar!® Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 19 to Sep 2 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 Zestar!® Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Zestar!® Apple onto Spy 227 (full size). Plant 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Zestar!® Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Zestar!® Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (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 Zestar!® Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Zestar!® 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":42511547990082,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45145048514626,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ZestarApplesinaFruitBasket.jpg?v=1789671194"},{"product_id":"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":"freds-mac-apple","title":"Fred's Mac Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fred's Mac 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 3 of 7, early-mid 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 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 850 hours (800 to 1,000). Same as its parent, McIntosh. 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#freds-mac-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 98 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\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFred’s Mac is very likely an original McIntosh, though as with many old apples labeled “McIntosh,” certainty is complicated by history. Over time, McIntosh has been propagated through numerous bud sports and selections, many of which were sold simply as McIntosh despite meaningful differences in fruit quality. As a result, apples labeled McIntosh can vary widely in flavor, texture, and overall eating quality. Of course, growing conditions such as soil, climate, and cultural practices also play a role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat said, year after year, the fruit we harvest from the tree known as 'Fred's Mac' at Green Bench Farm in Missoula stands out unequivocally. The flavor is exceptional—bright, lively, and intensely aromatic. It is the best McIntosh we have eaten. The mother tree is at least 100 years old, possibly older, and bears prolifically every season, a testament to both its genetics and long-term adaptation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFred’s Mac produces classic McIntosh-type fruit with outstanding eating quality. The flavor is vivid and aromatic, with a brightness that distinguishes it from many modern McIntosh-labeled trees. Like most McIntosh apples, it does exhibit pre-harvest drop. This is not a drawback for us, as the flavor more than compensates, and we typically make multiple harvest passes to manage drop and capture fruit at peak quality. It is an excellent apple for fresh eating and aromatic cider blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing (Dolgo \/ Spy 227 Rootstock)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese trees are grafted onto full-size \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Spy 227 rootstock and should be treated as standard apple trees. At maturity, they require spacing of approximately 18–20 feet between trees. With intensive pruning and canopy management, closer spacing may be possible, while wider spacing can improve airflow and light penetration in humid or disease-prone sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFred’s Mac is expected to be as cold hardy as McIntosh generally. We list McIntosh as hardy to −40°F. While McIntosh may tolerate temperatures slightly colder than this under ideal conditions, it does not appear to reliably survive beyond −45°F. This aligns with observations from growers such as Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway, where temperatures of −47°F have resulted in failure. Fred’s Mac should be considered a solid Zone 3 apple, but not more cold hardy than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGenetic \u0026amp; Historical Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a mother tree over a century old, consistent heavy bearing, and exceptional fruit quality, Fred’s Mac represents a locally adapted McIntosh lineage worth preserving. In a landscape where many McIntosh trees no longer live up to the name, this selection demonstrates just how good McIntosh can be when the genetics are right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Fred's Mac Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Fred's Mac Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Fred's Mac Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Fred's Mac Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Fred's Mac 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 Fred's Mac 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. It's a sport of McIntosh, so it needs the same chill. Montana winters cover that 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#freds-mac-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Fred's Mac Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Fred's Mac Apple onto Spy 227 (full size). Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Fred's Mac Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Fred's Mac Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Fred's Mac Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Fred's Mac Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Fred's Mac 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 or 4-6 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":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125884346434,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499076653122,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499076587586,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/freds-mac-apple-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020066"},{"product_id":"claygate-pearmain-apple","title":"Claygate Pearmain Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Claygate Pearmain 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 4 of 7, mid 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#claygate-pearmain-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 3 to 5. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 104 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\u003eFresh eating (9\/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, 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\u003eNote that we're still new to Claygate Pearmain, so this info is all second hand. In Spring 2025 we obtained high-quality scionwood from Tim Makepeace and bench-grafted a batch of Claygate Pearmain trees; the trees offered here are direct clones from that material and the tops are two years old now whilst the roots are three years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eParentage, Origin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaygate Pearmain originated as a chance seedling discovered in a hedge near the village of Claygate in Surrey, England, around 1821 by horticulturist John Braddick. Its exact parentage is unknown, and the variety is generally considered triploid, and therefore has sterile pollen (will not pollenize other apple trees). It rose to prominence in the Victorian era for its superb dessert quality, complex flavor, and distinctive russeted appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Tree Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is medium to large, typically conical-oblong, with a green-yellow base color overlaid by a warm crimson flush and patches or netting of russet. The flesh is tender-crisp, juicy, and aromatic, with a rich, nutty depth of flavor often described as complex and layered. Trees are moderately vigorous, upright to spreading, spur-bearing, and known for producing heavy, regular crops with an apparent resistance to scab and fireblight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaygate Pearmain has historically performed well in cool, damp, and northern temperate climates. While not among the most extreme cold-hardy apples we offer, it would likely survive and do well at least down to -35F, similar to some of the other English varieties. Solid zone 4 apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Claygate Pearmain Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Claygate Pearmain Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Claygate Pearmain 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 3 to 5. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Claygate Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Claygate Pearmain 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 Claygate Pearmain 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#claygate-pearmain-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Claygate Pearmain Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Claygate Pearmain Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Claygate Pearmain Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Claygate Pearmain Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Claygate Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Claygate Pearmain Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Claygate Pearmain 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":42498991685698,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/claygate-pearmain-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789019776"},{"product_id":"evercrisp-apple","title":"Evercrisp Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evercrisp 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 11 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). The breeder's patent puts it at -10 to -25°F; we rate it 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 1,100). 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#evercrisp-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. 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 11 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. M26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. 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), salads and slicing (7\/10), winter storage (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 or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe don't have long-term data from our own mother trees of EverCrisp yet, so everything below is secondhand for now.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverCrisp is a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and Fuji cross from the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. It looks a lot like a Fuji, crunches like a Honeycrisp, ripens late and keeps a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to its plant patent, the cross was made in Pataskala, Ohio in 1999, with Honeycrisp as the mother and Fuji as the father, and the seedling was planted out at Wabash, Indiana in 2001. It was released in 2014 by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA), a group of fruit growers that formed in 1998. EverCrisp is the trademark name, and the variety name is MAIA-1.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patent describes a medium-sized, \"extremely crisp, sweet\" apple. MAIA says the texture is like Honeycrisp \"but slightly harder,\" and the fruit \"resembles Fuji in shape and appearance.\" It's harvested in mid-October, six to eight weeks after Honeycrisp, and it's a long keeper, both in cold storage and on the counter according to the patent. This is a fresh-eating apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have EverCrisp on two rootstocks. On Bud 118 semi-dwarf, plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. M26 makes a smaller tree, so you can go closer, around 10 to 12 feet, and it should be staked. M26 is only hardy to about -40F, so if you see colder than that, bury the graft. The patent describes a tree of moderate vigor with a more open canopy than Fuji, and says it's susceptible to scab and powdery mildew, with slight resistance to fire blight. Since it ripens six to eight weeks after Honeycrisp, it needs a long growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverCrisp needs a pollenizer. The patent says it blooms about a week later than Fuji, so pair it with a mid to late bloomer like \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, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sweet-sixteen-apple\"\u003eSweet Sixteen\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\u003eThe patent calls its winter hardiness \"average for an apple variety\" and says that, depending on how well it's hardened off, it's hardy to -10 to -25F. That's the breeder's own number. We rate it a little colder, at zone 4 (-30F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “EverCrisp (cropped)” by AllTheUsernamesAreInUse, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:EverCrisp_(cropped).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “EverCrisp cross-section” by AllTheUsernamesAreInUse, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:EverCrisp_cross-section.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \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 Evercrisp Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Evercrisp Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Evercrisp 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 3 to 5 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Evercrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Evercrisp Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. The breeder's patent puts it a little warmer, at -10 to -25°F depending on how well it hardens off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Evercrisp Apple 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 1,100. 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#evercrisp-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Evercrisp Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 11 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 Evercrisp Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Evercrisp 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 M26. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Evercrisp Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Evercrisp Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on the patent and 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 Evercrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Evercrisp 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. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42499068002370,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499068035138,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/evercrisp-apple.jpg?v=1791615481"},{"product_id":"golden-harvey-apple","title":"Golden Harvey Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Harvey Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 from published sources (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid 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#golden-harvey-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\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 (8\/10), hard cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), juice and sweet 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=\"0\" data-end=\"232\"\u003eThis is the first year we have grown Golden Harvey, 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=\"234\" data-end=\"248\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"720\"\u003eGolden Harvey, also historically known as Brandy Apple, is one of the classic old English apples and is generally dated to at least the 1600s. From the research we have done in creating this description, its exact lineage is not documented, but it is repeatedly described in historical pomology as a highly esteemed apple for both dessert use and cider. It was especially valued in western England, where it earned a reputation for exceptional richness and sugar content. However, it fell out of favor due to its small size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"722\" data-end=\"748\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"1272\"\u003eGolden Harvey produces small to medium-sized fruit, often with heavy russeting and a golden background. The flavor is described as intensely rich, sweet, and complex, improving with storage rather than being best straight off the tree. Historically, it was considered one of the finest winter dessert apples. It is also well known as a cider apple, with high sugar levels that earned it the name Brandy Apple, as it was capable of producing notably strong cider in favorable years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1294\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1295\" data-end=\"1761\"\u003eBased on available descriptions and modern cultivar listings, Golden Harvey is generally regarded as hardy in the approximate zone 4 range. This corresponds to winter survival into roughly the −30°F range under favorable conditions, with performance depending heavily on rootstock, site selection, fall acclimation, and wind exposure. Our Spring 2027 trees are one year older and grafted onto Bud 118, which has decent drought tolerance. Applied to Montana, it appears best suited to milder locations or well-protected sites within the warmest valleys of western MT. These are: Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Flathead, Jocko, Lower Kootenai, Mission, Missoula, and Upper Flathead \/ North Fork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1763\" data-end=\"1798\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"2200\"\u003eFrom the literature, Golden Harvey is repeatedly noted for excellent keeping quality, with fruit often stored well into late winter or spring. It also holds historical importance in traditional English cider culture, particularly in Herefordshire. Disease resistance is not generally cited as exceptional, so thoughtful siting and management would be important in regions with higher disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Golden Harvey itself. Photos of Golden Harvey are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Egremont Russet - geograph.org.uk - 7640168” by Jonathan Billinger, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Egremont_Russet_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7640168.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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Golden Harvey Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Golden Harvey Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Golden Harvey Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Golden Harvey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Golden Harvey Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from published descriptions and modern cultivar listings, not from our own winters yet. It's best suited to milder, well-protected sites in western Montana's warmer valleys, and we'll update it once our own trees have been through some winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Golden Harvey 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#golden-harvey-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Golden Harvey Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Golden Harvey 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 Golden Harvey Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Golden Harvey Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), hard cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on historical descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Golden Harvey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Golden Harvey Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Golden Harvey 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":42499171057730,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-russet-apples-representative.jpg?v=1791615354"},{"product_id":"golden-russet-apple","title":"Golden Russet Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Russet 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 3 of 7, early-mid 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 6. 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 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#golden-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 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\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 (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), drying (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/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, 3-4 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\u003eThis is one of the newer apples we have begun growing, and while our long-term experience in Montana is still developing, both historical accounts and early local observations point to Golden Russet as an exceptional and resilient apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet is a historic American apple with a long lineage in the United States, documented as early as the early 1800s. William Coxe described it in 1817 as one of the finest apples in New Jersey in the autumn and early winter months. A.J. Downing, writing in his 1845 edition of \u003cem\u003eFruit Trees of America\u003c\/em\u003e, praised it as one of the most delicious and tender apples, noting that its flesh resembles the buttery texture of a pear more than that of an ordinary apple. Though neither large nor visually striking, it became widely cultivated in New England and the western states due to its productivity and exceptional flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet produces medium-sized, fully russeted fruit with dense, crisp flesh and very high sugar content. The flavor is rich, sweet, and complex, often described as honeyed or nutty. It is truly an all-purpose apple, well suited for fresh eating, culinary use, cider, jelly, juice, pies, sauce, and drying. It is also one of the best keeping apples, commonly storing for up to five months, and often remaining excellent in flavor even after the skin has begun to shrivel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet has weathered intense cold snaps in the Bitterroot Valley without showing signs of winter injury. Trees in this area experienced mid-winter lows approaching −40°F on January 12, 2024 and came through without apparent damage. While Golden Russet is often listed more conservatively in terms of hardiness, these observations suggest it is hardy to roughly −40°F, although any colder than that would be experimental. It is a solid zone 3 apple, although growers in the coldest places should look to the many other cold hardy apples we offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Russet has long been prized for its productivity and storage ability, as well as its value in cider making, where its high sugar levels produce rich, full-bodied cider. While it is one of the newer apples we have grown locally, its historical reputation and early performance in Montana, particularly the more mild Western part of the state, suggest it has potential as a fairly cold-hardy, high-quality apple for northern growers. However, it would not be in the top class of hardy apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto by George Gruenfeld\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Golden Russet Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Golden Russet Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Golden Russet Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Golden Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Golden Russet 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 Golden Russet 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. Golden Russet needs about 800 to 1,000 chill hours. Any Montana winter covers that. 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-russet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Golden Russet Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Golden Russet 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 Golden Russet Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Golden Russet Apple are hard cider (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), drying (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Golden Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Golden Russet Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Golden 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: 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":45125959680066,"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":42499178266690,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-russet-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"hunt-russet-apple","title":"Hunt Russet Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hunt Russet 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 4 of 7, mid 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 (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#hunt-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 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\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), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), hard cider (6\/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\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\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe don't have long-term data from our own mother trees of Hunt Russet yet, so everything below is secondhand for now.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHunt Russet is an old Concord, Massachusetts russet and one of the great keepers. Fedco passes along a note from Maine pomologist Eugene Carpovitch, whose Hunt Russets kept for \"an astounding one year in the root cellar!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came from the Hunt family farm in Concord, Massachusetts, and it's old. Downing wrote in the 1870s that it originated \"nearly 200 years since,\" and S.A. Beach in The Apples of New York (1905) quotes a Hunt family member saying at least 150 years. So it goes back to at least the mid-1700s. It's also been called Golden Russet of Massachusetts, Fay's Russet and Russet Pearmain, but Beach makes clear it's a different apple from the New York Golden Russet. DNA work with the Maine Heritage Orchard found that Hunt Russet and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain\u003c\/a\u003e are the parents of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeach describes it as \"medium size, golden russet with broken patches of smooth bright red on the cheek. It is quite attractive for a russet apple, excellent in quality and a good keeper.\" The flesh is \"whitish tinged with yellow, rather fine, tender, juicy, subacid, sprightly becoming mild, not sweet as some have stated, very good to best.\" Beach gives its season as January to April or later. It's a fresh-eating apple, and Trees of Antiquity also lists it for pies and cider.\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. Beach calls the tree moderately vigorous, upright spreading and productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. Fedco says it blooms mid-season, so pair it with something like Blue Pearmain, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFedco rates Hunt Russet zone 4, and it's been grown in Maine for a long time. We haven't found a documented survival temperature. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are more photos of Hunt Russet from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/maineheritageorchard\/hunt-russet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMaine Organic Farmers and Gardeners\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Hunt Russet itself. Photos of Hunt Russet are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Russet apples” by grassrootsgroundswell, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/grassrootsgroundswell\/15163043718\/\" 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 Hunt Russet Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hunt Russet Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Hunt Russet Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Hunt Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Hunt Russet Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Fedco's zone 4 rating and its long record in Maine, not from a documented survival temperature or our own winters yet. We'll update it once we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Hunt 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 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#hunt-russet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Hunt Russet Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Hunt Russet 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 Hunt Russet Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Hunt Russet Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Beach, Fedco 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 Hunt Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Hunt Russet Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Hunt 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":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499251208258,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/russet-apples-on-tree-representative.jpg?v=1791617260"},{"product_id":"kindercrisp-apple","title":"Kindercrisp Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kindercrisp 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 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 23 to Sep 6 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 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 (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#kindercrisp-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, Pristine or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 23 to Sep 6 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\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 15 to 16 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\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\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKindercrisp Apple (also known as KinderKrisp or MAC 2137) is a cold hardy apple variety developed as a chance seedling on a Minnesota farm in Fairhaven, Minnesota, in 1998 by fruit breeder David MacGregor. Its exact parentage is undocumented, but it is widely thought to have \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e in its background based on flavor, texture, and breeder notes. It was later patented and released in the early 21st century after evaluation for quality and vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKindercrisp produces small to medium red apples with yellow flesh and a remarkably crisp, juicy texture reminiscent of Honeycrisp but in a smaller, snack-friendly size. The flavor is sweet with a pleasant balance of acidity and spice notes. The fruit is excellent for fresh eating, and its firmness and balanced flavor also make it suitable for cooking, baking, sauces, and juice. Fruit can also store for several weeks to a few months under proper conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKindercrisp trees tend to be moderately vigorous with a generally upright growth habit and precocious bearing. Spacing will vary with rootstock, but as a guideline, plant trees 15–16 feet apart for trees on Bud 118 rootstock, and 18-20 ft for trees on full size rootstock to allow good light penetration and airflow through the canopy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKindercrisp is much hardier than many places list. All 5 of Ed Schultz' Kindercrisp had made it through multiple winters where the temperature dipped to -47F in Gallatin Gateway, MT. Way hardier than we would have thought. Solid zone 2 apple relative to how we have observed it in some of the coldest parts of Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRipening Time\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKindercrisp ripens late August to early September in Missoula, MT making it a good late summer, mid-season apple. Its earlier ripening relative to many other heritage and cold-hardy apples helps ensure full maturity before fall cool-downs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike almost all apples, Kindercrisp requires cross-pollination with another apple variety that blooms at the same time. Good pollenizers for Kindercrisp from the Montana Fruit Trees' collection include varieties that overlap bloom periods such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zestar-apple\"\u003eZestar\u003c\/a\u003e!, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norland-apple\"\u003eNorland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norson-apple\"\u003eNorson\u003c\/a\u003e, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Kindercrisp Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Kindercrisp Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kindercrisp Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e. Its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, Pristine Apple, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Kindercrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Kindercrisp 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 Kindercrisp 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#kindercrisp-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Kindercrisp Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 23 to Sep 6 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Kindercrisp Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Kindercrisp 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 15 to 16 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Kindercrisp Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Kindercrisp Apple are fresh eating (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Kindercrisp Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Kindercrisp 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":45133758562370,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45133758595138,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45133758660674,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45133758627906,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500080402498,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/kindercrisp-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020419"},{"product_id":"cox-orange-pippin-apple","title":"Cox Orange Pippin Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cox Orange Pippin 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 4 of 7, mid 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 800 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#cox-orange-pippin-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 102 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. \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 (10\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCox’s Orange Pippin is a classic English dessert apple first raised in the early 19th century by Richard Cox in Buckinghamshire, England and introduced in 1825. It is renowned for its complex, aromatic flavor and has played an important role in apple breeding. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCaution\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRod would say that, given Cox’s Orange Pippin’s proneness to scab, cracking, and seemingly every disease, it would be horticultural malpractice not to state this plainly. This is not a low-maintenance apple and requires attentive site selection and disease management. However, for growers willing to meet its needs, the reward is exceptional—when Cox’s Orange Pippin succeeds, the flavor is truly remarkable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCox’s Orange Pippin is primarily a fresh-eating apple, prized for its rich sweet–tart balance and distinctive, perfumed flavor. It is also valued for cider blending, where it contributes aroma and complexity, and can be used in baking when flavor is the primary goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCox’s Orange Pippin is usually considered moderately hardy and many sources will list it as a zone 5. However, in our experience in Montana, it has survived -30F in a colder spot of Missoula (near Frenchtown) without any winter injury, survived for Rod at -35F. So it is easily a zone 3b in our experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFinal Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're after the classic Cox flavor but worried about growing it, here are some notes from Rod McIver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Kalispell, Holstein was Rod McIver’s favorite, with Alkmene also performing well, while Rubinette and Elstar struggled. Rod did not care for Ellison Orange, finding the flavor unusual, though he acknowledged it as the most disease-resistant member of the Cox lineage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Apple on a tree (Cox's Orange Pippin cultivar)” by Andreas Rother, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apple_on_a_tree_(Cox%27s_Orange_Pippin_cultivar).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.5\u003c\/a\u003e; “Apfel 030 Cox Orange (fcm)” by Frank C. Müller, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apfel_030_Cox_Orange_(fcm).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; “Cox Orange (Apple) jm99046” by joergens.mi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cox_Orange_(Apple)_jm99046.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 Cox Orange Pippin Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cox Orange Pippin Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Cox Orange Pippin Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cox Orange Pippin Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cox Orange Pippin 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 Cox Orange Pippin Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 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. Montana winters easily supply that. 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#cox-orange-pippin-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Cox Orange Pippin 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 Cox Orange Pippin Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Cox Orange Pippin 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 Cox Orange Pippin Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cox Orange Pippin Apple are fresh eating (10\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cox Orange Pippin Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Cox Orange Pippin 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. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42499004039234,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/cox-orange-pippin-apple-on-tree_96b15ed4-af74-491a-a95c-d0112cf041c0.jpg?v=1791615213"},{"product_id":"williams-pride-apple","title":"William's Pride Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e William's Pride Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 9. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 400 hours (300 to 800). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#williams-pride-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. Its bloom lasts a long time, so it often overlaps mid-season apples too, but its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 42 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant 14 to 18 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3133\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3610\"\u003eWilliam’s Pride is an early-season apple from the PRI (Purdue–Rutgers–Illinois) disease-resistant breeding program, grown for its combination of attractive dark red fruit, crisp texture for an early apple, and unusually strong disease resistance compared with many classic summer varieties. Reliable choice for growers who a quality fresh eating apple in regions where apple scab and rust pressure can be an ongoing issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3612\" data-end=\"3684\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3685\" data-end=\"3991\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride was developed through the PRI cooperative apple breeding program and was released in 1988. Its reported parentage is PRI 1018-101 × NJ 50. It was selected as part of a long-running effort to combine good fresh-eating quality with durable disease resistance, particularly against apple scab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3993\" data-end=\"4011\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4012\" data-end=\"4432\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride typically produces medium to medium-large apples with a deep red to purplish-red skin and cream-colored flesh. It ripens early (often in late July to early August in many growing regions), offering crisp, juicy fruit at a time when many early apples are softer or less complex. It’s best used for fresh eating, but it also performs well for baking and general kitchen use when harvested at peak maturity. One thing we have observed growing William's Pride in MT is that it keeps surprisingly well for an early apple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\"\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4453\" data-end=\"4844\"\u003eThe tree is vigorous, sturdy, and spreading with good branch structure. It tends to be a dependable grower for us in Missoula when trained and pruned like a standard dessert apple. Actually has a relatively extended bloom window compared with many early apples, which can help pollination and can sometimes improve odds of setting a crop in years with uneven spring weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4846\" data-end=\"4859\"\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4860\" data-end=\"5280\"\u003eOn Bud 118, a practical spacing range is 14–18 feet between trees, depending on how hard you plan to prune for size control and how vigorous your site is. In richer soils or irrigated ground, wider spacing reduces shading and improves airflow; in leaner soils with consistent pruning, spacing can be somewhat tighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5299\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5300\" data-end=\"5855\"\u003eShould be planted with another apple or crabapple that blooms at the same time to ensure consistent fruit set. Examples of what to plant with William's Pride include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, all of our applecrabs, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e, Dearbron's Unknown, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, McIntosh, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/yellow-transparent\"\u003eYellow Transparent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zestar-apple\"\u003eZestar\u003c\/a\u003e!, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5857\" data-end=\"5877\"\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5878\" data-end=\"6620\"\u003eRod McIver's William's Pride in Kalispell came through the 1\/13\/24 arctic cold event, which saw -35°F, without winter injury. However, -35°F does not prove -40°F (or more) survival, and we do not yet have direct evidence of Williams’ Pride enduring -40°F. For that reason, we recommend it broadly for much of Western Montana, but for colder parts of Eastern Montana that can genuinely reach the -40°Fs, we recommend prioritizing apples with documented survival deeper into this range unless you are in one of the warmer eastern MT microclimates (such as Billings and the surrounding warmer valleys). Zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6639\"\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"6640\" data-end=\"7248\"\u003eWilliams’ Pride is scab-immune (or field-immune) and is resistant to cedar apple rust and powdery mildew, with resistance to fire blight often noted as well. As with any apple, resistance does not mean invincibility—especially for fire blight under high pressure—so good pruning practices, airflow, and balanced fertility still matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Starr-201126-8570-Malus pumila-Williams Pride fruit mostly pau but few small ones left-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui (50859499313)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-201126-8570-Malus_pumila-Williams_Pride_fruit_mostly_pau_but_few_small_ones_left-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_(50859499313).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Starr-170909-0072-Malus pumila-Williams Pride flowers-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui - Flickr - Starr Environmental” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-170909-0072-Malus_pumila-Williams_Pride_flowers-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_-_Flickr_-_Starr_Environmental.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about William's Pride Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes William's Pride Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. William's Pride Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 1 to 3. Its bloom lasts a long time, so it often overlaps mid-season apples too, but its pollen quality isn't confirmed yet. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is William's Pride Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate William's Pride Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does William's Pride Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 300 and 800. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at only 300 to 400 hours, unusually low for an apple. It blooms early, so frost is the bigger risk here. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#williams-pride-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does William's Pride Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 14 to Aug 28 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does William's Pride Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft William's Pride Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 14 to 18 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is William's Pride Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for William's Pride Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), drying (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat William's Pride Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect William's Pride Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42511538651202,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/williams-pride-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791616154"},{"product_id":"newtown-pippin-apple","title":"Newtown Pippin Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Newtown Pippin 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 16 to Oct 26 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 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 700 hours (700 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#newtown-pippin-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/9-22-end-apple\"\u003e9-22 End\u003c\/a\u003e, Alexander or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll\u003c\/a\u003e. 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\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cox-orange-pippin-apple\"\u003eCox Orange Pippin Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/freedom-apple\"\u003eFreedom Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 104 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 16 to Oct 26 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \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), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), hard cider (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), pies and baking (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 data-start=\"190\" data-end=\"201\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"203\" data-end=\"538\"\u003eNewtown Pippin is one of the oldest American apples, originating as a chance seedling in Newtown (now Elmhurst), Queens \/ Long Island, New York in the late 1600s to early 1700s. It has long been regarded as a high-quality dessert apple with exceptional keeping ability and was historically prized for winter use after extended storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"562\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"953\"\u003eParentage is unknown (seedling origin). The cultivar has circulated under several names, most notably \u003cem data-start=\"666\" data-end=\"684\"\u003eAlbemarle Pippin\u003c\/em\u003e, reflecting its long cultivation history in Virginia’s Albemarle region. Sources commonly distinguish Green Newtown and Yellow Newtown forms, which are often treated as closely related strains or sports rather than clearly separate cultivars in all references.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"978\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"1292\"\u003eNewtown Pippin is typically described as green to green-yellow, often with light russeting, and firm yellowish flesh. All the Newtown's we have grown in Missoula, are yellow with a nice blush when ready and are very pretty (see photos).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1922\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003eStorage taste notes (Luke Ruffner Robinson):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1342\" data-end=\"1345\"\u003eFruit harvested in early fall (specifically on Oct. 22nd in Missoula) and stored under refrigeration until late February was tasted fresh on 2\/22\/25. After more than four months in cold storage, the apple remained crisp and crunchy, with no mealiness. The flavor had mellowed into a soft sweetness, with low perceived acidity, yet retained a subtle lemony character on the finish. Flesh texture was fine-grained, clean, and notably crisp, confirming Newtown Pippin’s reputation as a premier long-keeping dessert apple. Overall eating quality at this stage was excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"2220\"\u003eUses include fresh eating after storage, long winter keeping, and cider production, where Newtown Pippin contributes aromatic complexity and structure rather than sharp acidity. Historically, it was valued precisely because it reached peak quality \u003cem data-start=\"2172\" data-end=\"2179\"\u003eafter\u003c\/em\u003e extended storage rather than at harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2222\" data-end=\"2247\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2249\" data-end=\"2326\"\u003eTree vigor and final size depend heavily on rootstock. As a general baseline:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2418\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2364\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2364\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2352\"\u003eSemi-dwarf systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~12–15+ ft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2365\" data-end=\"2418\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2418\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2405\"\u003eMore vigorous or standard systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~18–20+ ft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2420\" data-end=\"2434\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2436\" data-end=\"2683\"\u003eNewtown Pippin is self-sterile and requires cross-pollination. Plant with another diploid apple cultivar with overlapping bloom. Some examples of pollenizers we offer for Newtown Pippin include: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/9-22-end-apple\"\u003e9-22 End\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cox-orange-pippin-apple\"\u003eCox Orange Pippin\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/freedom-apple\"\u003eFreedom\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empire-apple\"\u003eEmpire\u003c\/a\u003e, and many other mid-season blooming apples.\u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2685\" data-end=\"2702\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2704\" data-end=\"3182\"\u003eMost places online list Newtown Pippin as a zone 4 apple. Ours have done well in a warm spot of Missoula that has not experienced sub-30F temps. So we are not necessarily sure if it would survive -30F or colder temps. For now we are listing it as a zone 4 apple until we know that it has survived colder temps. Therefore, this would only be for the warmest valleys in Western MT, such as Missoula, Bitterroot, Mission, Flathead, and Clark Fork, and should be sited in areas that avoid depressions\/preferably up on a bench and out of where frost settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Newtown Pippin Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Newtown Pippin Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Newtown Pippin Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/9-22-end-apple\"\u003e9-22 End\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll\u003c\/a\u003e. 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 Alexander Apple, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cox-orange-pippin-apple\"\u003eCox Orange Pippin Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Newtown Pippin Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Newtown Pippin 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 Newtown Pippin Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. One of the lower-chill heirlooms we carry (about 700 hours), and it does well in milder climates like coastal California. 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#newtown-pippin-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Newtown Pippin Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 16 to Oct 26 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 Newtown Pippin Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Newtown Pippin 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 Newtown Pippin Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Newtown Pippin Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), hard cider (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Newtown Pippin Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Newtown Pippin 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":42500903010370,"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":45134027292738,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/newtown-pippin-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020679"},{"product_id":"cherry-cox-apple","title":"Cherry Cox Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cherry Cox 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 4 of 7, mid 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 800 hours (800 to 1,000). Same as its parent, Cox's Orange Pippin. 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#cherry-cox-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 102 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 (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), hard cider (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, 3-5 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 Cherry Cox, 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\u003eCherry Cox is a sport of Cox's Orange Pippin, meaning it started as a branch mutation on a Cox tree rather than as a seedling. It has darker red skin than Cox, and the growers who've written about it describe a cherry flavor with a little anise in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the UK's National Fruit Collection, it was found by a Mr. Roed in Kjer's Orchard at Lindved, near Hjallese on the Danish island of Funen, around 1942. A Danish grower's notes give the same place and year. It was brought to England in 1951 by High Weald Nurseries in Sussex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized and round, with a darker, more solid red skin than regular Cox. The National Fruit Collection says it keeps Cox's rich, aromatic flavor. Stephen Hayes of SkillCult tastes cherry, \"something almost like cherry cough drops,\" plus some anise, and says it's fairly tart until it's fully ripe. It's picked from late September into early October. A Danish grower recommends letting it sit for about a month after picking, and says it's then a really good eating apple. It's said to keep longer than Cox, which is a poor keeper, but nobody we've found gives a number of months. This is a fresh-eating apple first.\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. Reports on disease are mixed. SkillCult found it moderately susceptible to scab, and the Danish grower says the tree isn't especially healthy, so keep an eye on it. On the plus side, SkillCult says it's one of the most consistent bearers on his tree and if anything sets too much fruit, so plan to thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCherry Cox needs a pollenizer. Reports put its bloom somewhere in the early-mid to mid window, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've listed it at zone 4 for now. The only rating we've found is Raintree Nursery's USDA zone 4, and that's based on average winter lows, not on the coldest temperature the tree has actually 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: “20485CherryCox” by Juniperbushman, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:20485CherryCox.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cherry Cox Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cherry Cox Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Cherry Cox Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cherry Cox Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Cherry Cox Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. The only rating we've found is Raintree Nursery's USDA zone 4, and we haven't wintered our own trees yet, so treat it as provisional. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cherry Cox Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. It's a sport of Cox's Orange Pippin, so it needs the same chill. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cherry-cox-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Cherry Cox Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Cherry Cox 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 Cherry Cox Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cherry Cox Apple are fresh eating (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), hard cider (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cherry Cox Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Cherry Cox Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Cherry Cox 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":45156131569730,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/cherry-cox-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789017050"},{"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":"autumn-strawberry-apple","title":"Autumn Strawberry Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn Strawberry 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 4 of 7, mid 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#autumn-strawberry-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\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), sauce and butter (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, 3-5 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 Autumn Strawberry, 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\u003eAutumn Strawberry is an old New York dessert apple, pale yellow covered in pinkish-red, and in its day a lot of people considered it one of the best eating apples of the fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn S.A. Beach's The Apples of New York (1905), Autumn Strawberry is listed as another name for Late Strawberry, which originated in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York. It was described as a new apple in 1848. Beach notes that several different apples have gone by Late Strawberry over the years, but by his time the name was \"almost exclusively applied\" to this one. It's not the same apple as Chenango Strawberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeach calls it \"an attractive apple, pale yellow overspread or striped and splashed with light and dark red, very good in quality especially for dessert use,\" and says \"many esteem it one of the best dessert apples of its season.\" The flesh is yellowish-white, fine, crisp, tender and juicy, with a sprightly, aromatic, subacid flavor. Size runs from a bit below medium to above. It comes into use in September and keeps ripening over several weeks, and Beach gives its season as September to December. That staggered harvest is handy in a backyard, where you want apples over several weeks instead of all at once.\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. Beach describes the tree as vigorous, \"hardy, healthy, long-lived and a regular cropper,\" with moderate to heavy crops every other year or nearly every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. We're estimating it blooms mid-season, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeach called the tree hardy, but that was in New York and he didn't put a number on it. We've listed it at zone 4 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\"\u003eIllustration: “Late Strawberry” (the older name for Autumn Strawberry) by Deborah Griscom Passmore, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00002605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00002605\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Autumn Strawberry itself. Photos of Autumn Strawberry are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Червоне яблуко (13692684585)” by teteria sonnna from Obukhiv, Ukraine, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%A7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B5_%D1%8F%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE_(13692684585).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Autumn Strawberry Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Autumn Strawberry Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Autumn Strawberry 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 3 to 5 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Autumn Strawberry Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Autumn Strawberry Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. Beach called it hardy but didn't give a number, and we haven't wintered our own trees yet, so zone 4 is an estimate. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Autumn Strawberry 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#autumn-strawberry-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Autumn Strawberry Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Autumn Strawberry 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 Autumn Strawberry Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Autumn Strawberry Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Beach's description rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Autumn Strawberry Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Autumn Strawberry Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Autumn Strawberry 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":45156145528898,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pink-red-striped-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615016"},{"product_id":"margil-apple","title":"Margil Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Margil Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at zone 4 (winters to -30°F, untested in cold climates), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid 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#margil-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. 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), winter storage (7\/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\u003eThis is our first year growing Margil, 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\u003eMargil is a very old European dessert apple, and it may well be a parent of Cox's Orange Pippin. It's small and russeted, with a big aromatic flavor, and it's grown for taste rather than for size or yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 2020 genetic study in BMC Plant Biology (Muranty and others) notes that the French pomologist Leroy called Margil a very old variety from Normandy, described in 1608 by Olivier de Serres. The UK's National Fruit Collection says it was known in England before 1750. It has gone by a long list of other names, including Never Fail, Munche's Pippin and Reinette Musquée. That same 2020 study used DNA to trace Margil in the family trees of 87 later apples, mostly through Cox's Orange Pippin, which it identified as a first-generation offspring of Margil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Hogg's Fruit Manual (1884) describes it as small, conical and \"distinctly five-sided,\" with orange skin \"streaked with deep red, and covered on one side with patches of russet.\" The flesh is \"yellow, firm, juicy, rich, and sugary, with a powerful and delicious aromatic flavour.\" Cummins calls it intensely flavored, rich and aromatic, and says it's always russeted on one side. It's picked in early October, and Cummins says it keeps until about December in New York. This is a dessert apple, for eating fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. Cummins describes Margil as a small tree and a light cropper, so don't expect bushels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid-season, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe haven't found a hardiness rating for Margil from anyone we trust, and most of what's written about it comes from England and France. We've listed it at zone 4 for now as an estimate. 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\"\u003eIllustration: “Margil” by Amanda Newton, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00000475\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00000475\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Malus Muskatrenette 4245” by Sven Teschke, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Malus_Muskatrenette_4245.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/de\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0 DE\u003c\/a\u003e; “Muskatrenette jm55041” by joergens.mi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Muskatrenette_jm55041.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 Margil Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Margil Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Margil Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Margil Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Margil Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. We haven't found a hardiness rating we trust and haven't wintered our own trees yet, so treat it as an untested estimate. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Margil 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#margil-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Margil Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Margil 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 Margil Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Margil Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (7\/10), hard cider (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 Margil Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Margil Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Margil 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":45156149395522,"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":45156149428290,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/margil-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"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":"six-finger-jack-apple","title":"Six Finger Jack Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Six Finger Jack Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at 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 4 of 7, mid 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#six-finger-jack-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. 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), 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, 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\u003eFirst year for us, so everything below is secondhand until we have fruited it and seen it through a few Montana winters.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix Finger Jack is a Colorado seedling apple with a reputation for being flat-out sugary. Not just sweet, sugary. It is one of the varieties that put the Four Corners on the map for fruit a hundred years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came up as a chance seedling near Lakeview, in Montezuma County, Colorado, and it is named for a local character called Six Finger Jack because the tree was found growing by his old cabin. Along with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/colorado-orange-apple\"\u003eColorado Orange\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/thunderbolt-apple\"\u003eThunderbolt\u003c\/a\u003e, it was one of the apples winning medals at state and world fairs back when southwest Colorado was serious apple country. Most of those varieties were lost when orchards got pulled and replanted to Red Delicious. The Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project found it, propagated it, and put it back into circulation. An old strain of Delicious is thought to be one of its parents. Jonathan turns up as the other parent in some accounts, but we have not seen that confirmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge fruit, and the eating quality is the first thing anybody mentions. The sugar runs high enough that the folks who saved it expect it to make a good cider apple as well, blended with something sharper to balance it out. Ripens in the fall.\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, and up to 18 feet if you would rather have airflow than density.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix Finger Jack needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid-season, so anything in that window works. From what we carry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e and most of the crabapples are good options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are listing it at zone 4 based on where it has grown in Colorado. That is an educated placement rather than a tested one for Montana. We would put it in the warmer western valleys, out of any spot where frost pools, until we have our own numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Six Finger Jack itself. Photos of Six Finger Jack are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by Fumiaki Hayashi, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/red-apple-v7oWAumWyiA\" 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 Six Finger Jack Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Six Finger Jack Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Six Finger Jack 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 3 to 5 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Six Finger Jack Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Six Finger Jack Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's an educated placement based on where it has grown in Colorado, not a tested one for Montana. Put it in the warmer western valleys, out of any spot where frost pools, until we have our own numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Six Finger Jack 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#six-finger-jack-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Six Finger Jack Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Six Finger Jack 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 Six Finger Jack Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Six Finger Jack Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Since we haven't fruited it yet, those scores lean on MORP'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 Six Finger Jack Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Six Finger Jack Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Six Finger Jack 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: 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: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156171120706,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1572166365087-96ac83103260.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"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":"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"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/holstein-apple-fruit.webp?v=1792787397","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/zone-4-fresh-eating-apples.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}