{"title":"Zone 4 Fruit for Winter Storage","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\u003eApples and pears that keep for months in a cold cellar and can take a zone 4 winter. 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-fruit-for-winter-storage\"\u003eZone 3 Fruit for Winter Storage\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/good-keeper\"\u003eGood Keepers\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":"arkansas-black","title":"Arkansas Black Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arkansas Black Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our trees came through -38°F in Corvallis, Montana in January 2024. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (500 to 800). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#arkansas-black\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. Some sources call it a triploid, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree until that's settled. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 71 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eArkansas Black: A Striking, Hardy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black produces a medium-sized fruit with dark red skin, so dark it’s nearly black. The flesh is firm, white, juicy, and crisp, offering a well-balanced, pleasant flavor. It’s excellent for fresh eating and also makes great juice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eStorage and Shelf Life\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eArkansas Black is a heavy-bearing, vigorous tree and a solid zone 3 for us. The apples are known for their excellent storage capabilities. In our experience, the apples retained their firmness 3–4 months after harvest, though they did lose some tartness over time. Despite that, they remained fairly sweet and very edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eAnother strong point for Arkansas Black is its resistance to cedar-apple rust, along with some resistance to scab and fireblight, a big plus for growers in areas prone to these common apple diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArkansas Black is a solid zone 3 for us, and here is why. Our trees at Canyon View Nursery in Corvallis, Montana came through -38°F the night of January 12, 2024, when an arctic air mass poured south out of Canada into the Bitterroot. That kind of cold is the hardest test a tree gets. It moves in as a whole air mass on the wind, so there is no layer of warmer air overhead and slope and air drainage can't spare a tree the way they do on a still, clear night. Coming through that is why we moved it from 3b to a full zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWe have grafted this onto B118 for Spring 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eNote: Arkansas Black is not recommended for planting in Eastern Montana, Alaska, or any region where winter temperatures regularly drop below -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Arkansas black apple” by Calstanhope, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Arkansas_black_apple.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Starr-160103-3379-Malus pumila-Arkansas Black fruit-Piiholo-Maui (26673327260)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-160103-3379-Malus_pumila-Arkansas_Black_fruit-Piiholo-Maui_(26673327260).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/us\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0 us\u003c\/a\u003e; “Starr-160103-3382-Malus pumila-Arkansas Black fruit with bite-Piiholo-Maui (26946830615)” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr-160103-3382-Malus_pumila-Arkansas_Black_fruit_with_bite-Piiholo-Maui_(26946830615).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/us\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0 us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Arkansas Black Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Arkansas Black Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Arkansas Black Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. Some sources call it a triploid, so don't count on it as the only pollenizer for another tree until that's settled. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Arkansas Black Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Arkansas Black Apple hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our own trees came through -38°F in Corvallis, Montana in January 2024. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Arkansas Black Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Listed at 500 to 600 chill hours, low for an apple, so it also suits milder winters. Montana winters cover it easily. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#arkansas-black\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Arkansas Black Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Arkansas Black Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Arkansas Black Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Arkansas Black Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Arkansas Black Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Arkansas Black Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Arkansas Black Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45124758929474,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124758962242,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/arkansas-black-apple.jpg?v=1791615010"},{"product_id":"cold-snap-pear","title":"Cold Snap® Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Snap® Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or Seckel; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 16 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOriginally bred as \u003cem\u003eHarovin Sundown\u003c\/em\u003e in the 1970s by H. A. Quamme, this variety was licensed to the Vineland Innovation and Research Center, which began selling trees in 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy We're Growing Cold Snap\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlthough this is our second year growing \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e, we were enticed by its breeding for Ontario’s cold climate and its strong disease resistance. Hardy down to -40°F, these pears will thrive across much of Montana—except in some of the more brutal areas east of the Divide. If you're in a spot that regularly sees temps colder than -40°F, we recommend going with one of the Russian pears grafted onto Ussurian pear. (We have several of those for Spring 2027, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock and Tree Sizes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e pears are grafted onto OHxF87 rootstock, which is also hardy to -40°F to -45°F. Trees come in two sizes (same age but one grew better in the nursery):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 2-3 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 3-5 ft. tall\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Snap® Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Snap® Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Cold Snap® Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Snap® Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cold Snap® Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Cold Snap® Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Cold Snap® Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Cold Snap® Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Snap® Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Snap® Pear are winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Cold Snap® Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45125070782530,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45125070815298,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/cold-snap-pear-on-tree.webp?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"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":"haralson-apple","title":"Haralson Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Haralson 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 9 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 2b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Our notes have it taking -47°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 1,000 hours (900 to 1,200). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#haralson-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 27 to Oct 9 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. 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. 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\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/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 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;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased in 1922 by the University of Minnesota, Haralson is one of those apples destined to stick around, especially among cold-climate growers. With likely parentage of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/malinda-apple\"\u003eMalinda\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, this variety produces trees that develop a strong central leader with wide-angled scaffold limbs—making for a well-structured, durable tree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eA Favorite Among Growers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eWhile we think Haralson is certainly a good apple, our close friends Kate Wilburn and Shane Sator consider it their absolute favorite. Haralson also has a special place in our hearts, as it's one of the parents—along with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo crab\u003c\/a\u003e—of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, one of our all-time favorite apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Characteristics and Culinary Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eHaralson produces medium to large-sized apples that are versatile in the kitchen. It’s great for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFresh eating\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eCooking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003ePies and baking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eExtreme Cold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis is a solid Zone 2b apple, and its hardiness is quite good. On Ed Schultz’s farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT, Haralson trees survived -47°F with only minor limb damage on two separate occasions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Haralson Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Haralson Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Haralson 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 Haralson Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Haralson Apple hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our notes have it taking -47°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 Haralson 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 900 and 1,200. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Montana winters deliver that with plenty 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#haralson-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Haralson Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 9 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 Haralson Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Haralson Apple onto Spy 227 (full size). Some sizes are on Bud 118, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Haralson Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Haralson Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Haralson Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Haralson 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: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45132066848834,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499213295682,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft. (1 Year Older)","offer_id":43865961889858,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499213393986,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":43865954910274,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/haralson-apple-in-hand.webp?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"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":"liberty-apple","title":"Liberty Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liberty Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 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 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 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 1,050 hours (850 to 1,150). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#liberty-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Dolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft or 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is an excellent choice for beginners and one of the best apples for Montana growers. It thrives in Rod McIver’s orchard in the colder part of Kalispell, which is a solid Zone 4. Introduced in 1978 by the NY Ag Experiment Station, Liberty is a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e and Purdue 54-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is one of the few apples resistant to all the major apple diseases. It does not suffer from the scab issues or pre-harvest drop that McIntosh is known for. Its resistance comes from the Vf Malus floribunda scab-resistant gene, making Liberty an extremely easy and reliable apple to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiberty is essentially an improved McIntosh, though without the classic McIntosh aroma. We actually prefer it more than McIntosh—its flavor is excellent, balanced, and consistently good, making it a favorite among cold-climate growers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of cold hardiness, we rate Liberty as being comparable to McIntosh. It's hardy to -35°F and possibly -40°F, but anything colder than that might be too much for it. If you’re in an area that regularly experiences sub -40°F temperatures, you may want to consider other, more cold-hardy apple varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Availability for Spring 2027 Fulfillment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Liberty in several different grades and ages, grafted onto two different rootstocks:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBud 118 Rootstock:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dwarf hardy to -45°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy to -50°F, possibly -60°F. Full size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Liberty Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Liberty Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Liberty Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Liberty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Liberty Apple hardy to zone 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 Liberty Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,050 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 850 and 1,150. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Tested at about 1,050 chill hours, a bit below average for apples. It still needs a real winter, but that's never a problem in Montana. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#liberty-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Liberty Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 28 to Oct 12 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Liberty Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Liberty Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Liberty Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Liberty Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Liberty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Liberty Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45133866991682,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45133875937346,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42500853497922,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45133866926146,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45133866958914,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/liberty-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"mn-1628-apple","title":"MN 1628 Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e MN 1628 Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 9 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,050 hours (800 to 1,300). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mn-1628-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 9 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMN 1628 is a new variety for us. We started growing it in spring 2025. You might be wondering about the name. This apple comes from the University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program, where all experimental seedlings are given numerical designations until they are officially named (if ever).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e was originally known as MN 1711, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, developed in 1920, was labeled MN 447 until it was formally released in 2008. Interestingly, MN 1628 is a sibling of Keepsake, which is a parent of Honeycrisp. In turn, Frostbite is a parent of Keepsake, placing MN 1628 within the same distinguished genetic lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription and Flavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Bob Purvis, who provided the scionwood we used for grafting, MN 1628 is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Quite similar in many respects to Keepsake, ripens slightly earlier (early October in Western Montana), tree more vigorous, spreading growth habit. Red stripes over yellow-ocher background, with yellowish flesh, complex sweet flavor, dense flesh, keeps till late spring.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob also shared that MN 1628 became the favorite apple of his late wife, Connie, even surpassing Fuji.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe estimate the cold hardiness of MN 1628 to fall between -40°F and -45°F, placing it slightly hardier than McIntosh, but not as hardy as ultra-cold varieties like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll\u003c\/a\u003e, or the apple crabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes MN 1628 a solid choice for many Zone 3 to 4 growers, but not recommended for locations with sub -45°F winter lows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Tree Availability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have grafted MN 1628 onto Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. In our experience, Bud 118 is significantly hardier, even than Antonovka, as Bud 118 has seen near -50F without showing any rootstock damage (although there was snow on the ground when these numbers were obtained at Ed Schultz' farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: MN 1628 ripens too late for growers with a very short growing season, such as those near Anchorage, AK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about MN 1628 Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes MN 1628 Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. MN 1628 Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is MN 1628 Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list MN 1628 Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from Bob Purvis and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does MN 1628 Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,050 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,300. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mn-1628-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does MN 1628 Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 9 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does MN 1628 Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft MN 1628 Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is MN 1628 Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for MN 1628 Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Bob Purvis's notes and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat MN 1628 Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect MN 1628 Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500887281730,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mn-1628-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"northern-spy-apple","title":"Northern Spy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Spy Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,100 hours (1,000 to 1,250). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#northern-spy-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy – A Firm, Flavorful Classic and Breeding Powerhouse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy was one of the favorite apples of our mentor, Rod McIver. Rod grew it up in Kalispell, where the climate is slightly colder and the growing season shorter than in Missoula. As a late-season variety, Northern Spy was just on the edge of being able to ripen in time for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Rod:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eExcellent flavor and firmness, a personal favorite. Many great apples have been derived from it, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, Sweet 16, Keepsake, etc. Seldom ripens on the tree before the last frost; however, the fruits can be picked and ripen in storage, and they keep very well.\u003c\/em\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRipening and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Northern Spy often struggles to ripen fully on the tree before the first frost, it is known for ripening well off the tree and storing beautifully. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a late apple that can develop flavor in storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Northern Spy on Bud 118, a semi-dwarf rootstock (in our soils\/climate in MT) that is hardy to roughly -50F (possibly more if there is consistent snow cover).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credits: “Northern Spy on tree” and “Cross section of Northern Spy” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via Wikimedia Commons (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Northern_Spy_on_tree,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Northern_Spy,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e), licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eIllustration: “Northern Spy” by Amanda Almira Newton, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00000596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00000596\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “A tisket, a tasket I bought Northern Spies in a basket. #michiganapples #northernspies #apples #applesauce #applepie” by Kate Ter Haar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/katerha\/52466004271\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “PI 588872, Malus domestica, Northern Spy - Flower in Branch” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1004166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “johnny apple” by katie hargrave, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/khargrav\/2942448293\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Northern Spy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Northern Spy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Northern Spy Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Northern Spy Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Northern Spy Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,100 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,000 and 1,250. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#northern-spy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Northern Spy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Northern Spy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Northern Spy Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Northern Spy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Northern Spy Apple are pies and baking (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Northern Spy Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":42518934028354,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134156693570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northern-spy-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"northwest-greening-apple","title":"Northwest Greening Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northwest Greening 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 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 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°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 (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#northwest-greening-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\u003ePies and baking (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), sauce and butter (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 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\u003eNorthwest Greening is an American heirloom apple with a unique origin story. Allegedly a cross between \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russet-apple\"\u003eGolden Russet\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander\u003c\/a\u003e, it was originally planted in 1849 by Jasen Hatch of Iola, Wisconsin. The resulting seedling was initially used as rootstock for another variety that ultimately failed. However, the tree was left to grow—and it wasn’t until the 1870s, when E.W. Daniels of Auroraville, Wisconsin, tasted the fruit, that it gained recognition. Daniels began promoting the variety and officially introduced it in 1872.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eMontana History and Legacy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAccording to the Western Agriculture Research Center in Corvallis, MT, Northwest Greening was already being grown commercially in Montana by 1900. It was listed as one of the hardiest apples in Ravalli County, and among cultivars found in Dawson, Carbon, Custer, Park, Yellowstone, Sweet Grass, and Rosebud Counties by 1901.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIncredible Yields\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhat truly caught our attention was a report from Bruce Benson, who noted that in a tough production year (2023), many of his trees failed to produce—except his lone Northwest Greening. That tree, grafted onto semi-standard MM111, produced a whopping 800 pounds (or 20 bushels) of apples from a single tree!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor-wise, Northwest Greening is comparable to Granny Smith when fresh off the tree—crisp, tart, and refreshing. One of its biggest advantages is its storability: the apples last for over three months in storage, and many say the flavor improves over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlexander (one parent): hardy to -50°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGolden Russet (other parent): hardy to at least -40°F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBased on parentage and anecdotal reports, Northwest Greening is likely hardy to -40°F to -45°F, with some claims of survival even at -50°F. Northwest Greening had withstood temps near -35Fs on Bruce Benson's farm in Missoula (back in the 1980's). The tree seems to not have suffered from that at all. But for now we are listing this a zone 3 apple until we can confirm it can survive lower temps than this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Northwest Greening trees are grafted onto semi-dwarf Bud 118, hardy to -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Northwest Greening Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Northwest Greening Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Northwest Greening 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 Northwest Greening Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Northwest Greening Apple hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°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 Northwest Greening 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#northwest-greening-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Northwest Greening Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Northwest Greening 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 Northwest Greening Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Northwest Greening Apple are pies and baking (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Northwest Greening Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Northwest Greening Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Northwest Greening 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 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: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134251458626,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134251491394,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northwest-greening-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"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":"spartan-apple","title":"Spartan Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spartan 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). Our notes have it taking -40°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (750 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#spartan-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 3 to 5. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 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\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. 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 (7\/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, 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\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpartan\u003cspan\u003e is a cross between \u003c\/span\u003eMcIntosh\u003cspan\u003e and an \u003c\/span\u003eunknown variety\u003cspan\u003e, developed at the BC Summerland Research Station in 1936. While it was originally thought to be \u003c\/span\u003eMcIntosh x \u003ca href=\"\/products\/newtown-pippin-apple\"\u003eNewtown Pippin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, recent genetic analysis revealed that \u003c\/span\u003eNewtown Pippin\u003cspan\u003e is not one of its parents, leaving \u003c\/span\u003e50% of its identity a mystery\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWe tried Spartan for the first time at Al and Mary Pernichele’s Frost Top Orchard in 2021. The apple seems to be one that people either love or prefer McIntosh over. Spartan hangs on the tree 1-2 weeks longer than McIntosh, ripening around the first or second week of October in Missoula. While considered a good all-purpose apple, it may be slightly hardier than McIntosh, making it a solid choice for colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Ripening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness: We believe Spartan is slightly hardier than McIntosh, which is hardy to -40F. Spartan is likely hardy to at least -45F. We're listing it conservatively at zone 3 (-40F) until we have more data. However, due to its later ripening, Spartan may not be ideal for areas with -45F or colder temperatures, as it ripens later than McIntosh. Spartan should be harvested 1-2 weeks after McIntosh, and may need to be picked earlier if an early frost threatens before it ripens fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Spartan onto two different rootstocks: Spy 227, and Bud 118. Both of these can withstand temps well into the -40Fs, and even -50F. How much colder than that is unknown, but if you are experiencing those temps, we would advise against Spartan anyways given our note above on its hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Apples in basket 2018 G1” by George Chernilevsky, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apples_in_basket_2018_G1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “13-20120907 UBCBG MalusCvSpartan” by Wendy Cutler, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/wlcutler\/7960750712\/\" 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; “Spartan CMD1506026 copy” by Apple and Pear Australia Ltd, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/applesnpearsau\/19352403699\/\" 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; “Spartan apple” by Glysiak, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Spartan_apple.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 Spartan Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Spartan Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Spartan 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 Spartan Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Spartan Apple hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Spartan 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 comes from published figures for this variety. 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#spartan-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Spartan 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 Spartan Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Spartan Apple onto Spy 227 (full size). Some sizes are on Bud 118.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Spartan Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Spartan Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), winter storage (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Spartan Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Spartan 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":42504677818434,"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":45134744748098,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"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":45134744780866,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/spartan-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791616070"},{"product_id":"triumph-apple","title":"Triumph Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Triumph 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 13 to Oct 3 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°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 (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#triumph-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 Sep 13 to Oct 3 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\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 (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\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;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe are excited to offer this \u003c\/span\u003erelatively new apple variety\u003cspan\u003e, a cross between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It combines the \u003c\/span\u003esweet crunchiness\u003cspan\u003e of Honeycrisp with the \u003c\/span\u003edisease resistance\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003eMcIntosh notes\u003cspan\u003e of Liberty, creating a slightly \u003c\/span\u003etarter and more disease-resistant Honeycrisp\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness: Its parents, Liberty and Honeycrisp, suggest Triumph is hardy to -40F, but we're listing it at zone 3b (-35F) until we can say for sure it survives those temps. This makes it suitable for many regions in Montana, but not for areas with winter temperatures consistently below -40F, so mainly not okay for areas east of the divide, with the exception of Billings and some if its surrounding warmer microclimates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTree Size \u0026amp; Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThese are bare root trees for which we have two separate grades, 3-4 ft. and 4-6 ft. The trees are grafted to semi-dwarf Bud 118, which is hardy down to about -45 to -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Triumph Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Triumph Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Triumph 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 Triumph Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Triumph Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°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 Triumph 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 1,200. 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#triumph-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Triumph Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 13 to Oct 3 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Triumph Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Triumph 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 Triumph Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Triumph Apple are winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Triumph Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Triumph 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":42508207358018,"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":42508207325250,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/triumph-apple-on-tree.webp?v=1789021269"},{"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":"belle-de-boskoop-apple","title":"Belle de Boskoop Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Belle de Boskoop Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (800 to 1,000). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 101 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but since this is our first year with it they're based on published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelle de Boskoop is a large, tart, heirloom apple that originated in Boskoop, Netherlands, in 1856. Recognized for its rustic greenish-yellow skin with red blush and russeting, it has firm, crisp, aromatic flesh with high acidity. This makes it an outstanding all-purpose apple. It's excellent for pies, cakes, and strudels, prized in cider blends, and sharp but enjoyable fresh if you like a tangy flavor. A superb keeper, its flavor mellows and improves in storage over several months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is vigorous, heavy-bearing, and some have reported showing a good resistance to scab and canker. It is triploid, so it needs two other varieties with good pollen blooming nearby, and it ripens late in the season. Hardy to zone 4, so it will likely do well in most places in Western Montana. Likely wouldn't survive in areas that experience below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: this is the first year we’re growing Belle de Boskoop in Montana, so our notes are based on trusted secondhand sources rather than firsthand experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Sandstein\"\u003eImage courtesy of Wikimedia user Sandstein\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Belle de Boskoop Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Belle de Boskoop Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Belle de Boskoop Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Belle de Boskoop Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. This is our first year growing it, so that rating comes from other growers' reports and published sources, not our own winters. We'll adjust it once our trees have seen a few Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Belle de Boskoop Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Belle de Boskoop Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Belle de Boskoop Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Belle de Boskoop Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Belle de Boskoop Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Belle de Boskoop Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Since this is our first year with it, those scores come from published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Belle de Boskoop Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45124784652354,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/belle-de-boskoop-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"blue-pearmain-apple","title":"Blue Pearmain Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Pearmain Apple is an apple tree conservatively rated hardy to zone 3b (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 Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 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#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"12\"\u003eIntro\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"229\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is new to us, and all information so far is second-hand. We obtained our scionwood for bench grafting from Tim Makepeace in 2025, and we will update this description as our own trees mature in Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"242\"\u003eHistory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"244\" data-end=\"609\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is an early-19th-century American heirloom from New England. Its own parentage isn’t documented, but it became well known in the Northeast for its distinctive appearance and dependable cropping. DNA work by the Maine Heritage Orchard identifies Blue Pearmain, crossed with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hunt-russet-apple\"\u003eHunt Russet\u003c\/a\u003e, as a parent of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, the Paris, Maine seedling found around 1790. It was grown widely enough to make it into English collections by the late 1800s and was notable enough to be mentioned by Thoreau in his writings on apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"629\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"949\"\u003eThe fruit is large, round, and noticeably weighty, with deep purplish skin covered in a natural bluish bloom, which is the trait that gives it the name “Blue Pearmain.” The flesh is firm, slightly coarse, and aromatic, with a rich, sweet-to-subacid flavor that lends itself well to fresh eating, late-season desserts, and cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"1057\"\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"978\"\u003elate-ripening\u003c\/strong\u003e variety, generally coloring up and finishing in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1038\"\u003eOctober\u003c\/strong\u003e in cooler regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"267\" data-end=\"310\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Performance in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"690\"\u003eOn paper, Blue Pearmain is rated as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"365\"\u003eUSDA Zone 4\u003c\/strong\u003e apple. Zone 4 covers a fairly wide range of minimum temperatures (from \u003cstrong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"461\"\u003e–20°F down to –30°F\u003c\/strong\u003e) averaged across a 30-year climate period. Because “Zone 4” blends both 4a and 4b, the practical midpoint of that range is roughly \u003cstrong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"603\"\u003e–25°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, but herein lies the limitation with USDA ratings. This rating describes an \u003cem data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"759\"\u003eaverage\u003c\/em\u003e annual extreme, not the absolute coldest temperature of an area. A once-in-a-generation cold event can push well below the zone rating, and the USDA map can’t predict how a specific variety will respond when that happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003eTo be conservative, and until we observe real-world Montana performance, we expect Blue Pearmain to withstand –35°F as an absolute extreme. Its hardiness shows in its offspring: Black Oxford, a Blue Pearmain seedling, came through –38°F on Rod McIver's farm in Kalispell, Montana without any winter injury, and a parent that throws a seedling that tough is worth trusting in a cold valley. Blue Pearmain will likely do well in most of the valleys of Western Montana, but should not be planted east of the divide in Montana (with the exception of warmer microclimates of the warmer valleys near Billings).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Blue Pearmain” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Blue_Pearmain,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1957-210).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto: “Blue Pearmain” by Victuallers, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blue_Pearmain.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Blue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Blue Pearmain Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Blue Pearmain Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Blue Pearmain Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. It's rated USDA zone 4 on paper, but its seedling \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e came through -38°F in Kalispell without winter injury. We haven't wintered our own Blue Pearmain yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Blue Pearmain Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Blue Pearmain Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Blue Pearmain Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Blue Pearmain Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Blue Pearmain Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Blue Pearmain Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Blue Pearmain Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45124848353346,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":45124848386114,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":42498927034434,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/blue-pearmain-apples-plate.jpg?v=1791636991"},{"product_id":"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":"glocken-apfel-apple","title":"Glockenapfel Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glockenapfel Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4b from published sources (winters to -25°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 4b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 4 only (winters to -25°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 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#glocken-apfel-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\u003eCooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), fresh eating (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, 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 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"231\"\u003eThis is the first year we have grown Glockenapfel, and we have not yet tasted the fruit or observed its long-term behavior under Montana conditions, so the information below should be considered secondhand rather than experiential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"247\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"711\"\u003eFrom the research we have done in creating this description, as well as from what we have read about the variety, Glockenapfel (also known as Weißer Winterglockenapfel and related regional names) is an old European winter apple of uncertain origin that was widely grown in parts of Central Europe. It was historically valued as a true storage apple, prized for keeping quality and for developing flavor after harvest rather than being eaten straight off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"739\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003eFrom what we have read, Glockenapfel is a versatile apple used for fresh eating after storage, baking, cooking, and juice or cider in traditional settings. Apparently, the fruit improves significantly with storage, with flavor becoming fuller and more balanced over time, which is characteristic of classic winter apples. It has been described as more useful than flashy, with strengths in reliability and post-harvest performance rather than immediate dessert appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1230\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1746\"\u003eBased on available cultivar descriptions and regional trial notes, Glockenapfel is generally described as winter-hardy and frost-tolerant. Multiple sources suggest survival down to approximately −33°C (around −27°F). This places it as a mildly cold-hardy apple, but not an extreme cold survivor in the −40°F or colder class. Applied to Montana, it appears best suited to milder sites, such as many Zone 5 areas and protected Zone 4b microclimates, rather than the coldest Zone 3 locations. Therefore, it could be grown in the best microclimates (up on a bench\/out of frost pooling zones) within the warmest Montana Valleys west of the divide: Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Flathead Valley, Jocko, Lower Kootenai, Mission, Missoula, and Upper Flathead \/ North Fork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1748\" data-end=\"1775\"\u003eOther Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1776\" data-end=\"2266\"\u003eApparently excellent storage ability, often keeping well into late winter or early spring under proper conditions. It also has historical significance in apple breeding, having been used as a parent in later cultivars such as Gloster. Reports generally describe moderate disease pressure, with some susceptibility to scab and canker, and better performance on fertile, well-managed soils with adequate moisture rather than thin or drought-prone sites (although since this is grafted onto Bud 118, which seems fairly drought tolerant, not sure why sources cite this given rootstock choice would matter more).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Glockenapfel Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Glockenapfel Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Glockenapfel 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 Glockenapfel Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Glockenapfel Apple at zone 4b, which means winters down to about -25°F. That comes from published sources putting its survival around -27°F, not from our own winters yet. Give it one of the warmest, best-drained sites you have, and we'll update it once our own trees have been through some Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Glockenapfel 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#glocken-apfel-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Glockenapfel Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Glockenapfel 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 Glockenapfel Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Glockenapfel Apple are cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), fresh eating (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 Glockenapfel Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Glockenapfel Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Glockenapfel 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. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499090939970,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/glockenapfel-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789020067"},{"product_id":"golden-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":"goodland-apple","title":"Goodland Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goodland 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 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Aug 28 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 2b to 7. 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 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#goodland-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 Aug 28 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\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. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 2-4 ft. Bud grafts on 2 yr older rootstock or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"486\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eGoodland Apple is a cold-climate variety developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba, Canada, introduced in the 1940s–1950s, and originating as a seedling of Patten Greening. It has been grown and evaluated in extremely cold continental climates where its primary value has been reliability and survival rather than refined dessert quality. In Montana, our own observations place Goodland among the more hardy apple varieties we grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"508\" data-start=\"488\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1112\" data-start=\"509\"\u003eBased on our observations in Montana, Goodland stands out as exceptionally cold tolerant. Trees have survived winter lows not only into the −40°F range but even approaching\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e−50°F. At those extremes, some winter injury was observed, but importantly, the damage did not progress into the trunk and trees recovered just fine. It should be considered a true Zone 3 and even certainly zone 2b and 2a with some damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1140\" data-start=\"1114\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1633\" data-start=\"1141\"\u003eGoodland produces medium-sized apples with firm flesh and a straightforward, mildly sweet to balanced flavor. It is not typically described as a high-end dessert apple, but it is very serviceable and dependable. The fruit is well suited for fresh eating for those who appreciate simple, classic apple flavor, and it performs especially well for sauce, baking, drying, and general kitchen use. Farmer Fred at Green Bench Orchard in Missoula sells out of all his Goodland apples every year. Its consistency and utility have made it a practical apple in northern homestead and farm settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1665\" data-start=\"1635\"\u003eRipening Time in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1934\" data-start=\"1666\"\u003eIn Montana conditions, Goodland ripens mid season. This means that in most years in Missoula, we can expect to see a crop 1st or second week of September depending on the year and site. For cooler places in eastern Montana, you can expect second to third week or Sept. It reliably reaches maturity within the growing season, even in shorter-season locations, which contributes to its usefulness in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1962\" data-start=\"1936\"\u003eGrowth \u0026amp; Reliability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2344\" data-start=\"1963\"\u003eWhile it may not match newer cultivars for cosmetic appeal or complex flavor, its combination of extreme cold hardiness, dependable cropping, and broad utility makes it a valuable apple for northern growers, especially those prioritizing survival and reliability over refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Goodland itself. Photos of Goodland are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Elstar Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof Frucht H5” by Helge Klaus Rieder, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Elstar_Freilichtmuseum_Roscheider_Hof_Frucht_H5.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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Goodland Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Goodland Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Goodland 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 Goodland Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Goodland 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 Goodland 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#goodland-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Goodland Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 28 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 Goodland Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Goodland 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Goodland Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Goodland Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Goodland Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Goodland 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":45125964693570,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft. Bud grafts on 2 yr older rootstock","offer_id":42499182657602,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125964726338,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45125964759106,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499182723138,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-blushed-yellow-apples-representative.jpg?v=1791615467"},{"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":"norda-apple","title":"Norda Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Norda Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 2 of 7, early 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 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 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#norda-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, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent\u003c\/a\u003e, Norland or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown\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\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norland-apple\"\u003eNorland Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\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\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 (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (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, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft or 6-7 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\u003eNorda is a Canadian-bred cold-climate apple introduced in 1976 and developed for far-northern regions. It’s valued for reliable production under harsh conditions, early ripening, and respectable fresh-eating quality with moderate storage for a summer apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda was developed in Canada as part of northern apple breeding, selected at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1976 through Agriculture Canada’s Beaverlodge Research Station near Grande Prairie, Alberta. It belongs to the group of apples bred for cold climates and northern plantings, where reliable fruiting and winter survival are priorities. The accepted parentage for Norda is Rosilda × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail\u003c\/a\u003e, reflecting its heritage from these two hardy apple cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda is a small-to-medium apple with a red blush or striping, crisp flesh, and good flavor for a very hardy apple, with a reputation for being a good keeper among cold-climate summer apple varieties. It’s typically positioned as a dual-purpose apple (fresh plus kitchen), especially in northern contexts where flavor is often traded for survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda is vigorous to moderately vigorous with an upright-spreading habit, and relatively precocious. Spacing depends on rootstock, but a practical baseline is 12–15 ft on semi-dwarf systems and 18–20+ ft on more vigorous or standard systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda needs another apple variety that blooms at the same time. Any compatible apple cultivar that overlaps bloom can serve as a pollenizer, including some other apples varieties we offer, and varieties of applecrabs\/crabapple. Some examples include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norson-apple\"\u003eNorson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norland-apple\"\u003eNorland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zestar-apple\"\u003eZestar\u003c\/a\u003e!, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/september-ruby-apple\"\u003eSeptember Ruby\u003c\/a\u003e as well as some applecrabs including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Alaska-oriented sources, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/alaskafruittrees\/home\/apples\/norda\"\u003esuch as this one here,\u003c\/a\u003e it is described as moderately hardy relative to the very hardiest apples for Alaska, and they not that it may not be hardy enough for interior Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorda has survived −47°F in multiple winters in Gallatin Gateway, Montana for Ed Schultz with no winter injury. That said, this was in the wee of of a morning. Can it withstand these cold temps for extended periods of time? This may be where there have been some reports on Norda not doing as well in some parts of interior Alaska. Site selection therefore for Norda must be considered (avoid depressions or areas prone to frost pooling). Plant in a spot uphill or where there is good frost drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would list Norda as a zone 2 apple, good for about everywhere in Montana, even some of the coldest places east of the divide. But again, if we're talking hardy for some of the coldest places in interior Alaska, look to some others such as Norland, Norkent, Norson, (of the Nor-series we are offering for 2027), Dearborn's Unknown, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e, Trailman, Chestnut, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhole-and-cut photo: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The crabapple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Norda itself. Photos of Norda are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by From Marwool, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/selective-focus-photo-of-red-apple-GbY8Xg5iTOA\" 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 Norda Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Norda Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Norda 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, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norland-apple\"\u003eNorland\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown\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\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lodi-apple\"\u003eLodi Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, Norland Apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Norda Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Norda Apple 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 Norda 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#norda-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Norda Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Norda 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 Norda Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Norda Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Norda Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Norda Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Norda 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 or 6-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385434690,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42502385500226,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385205314,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42502385270850,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45134046330946,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1503327655231-9a047d4772b6.jpg?v=1791638046"},{"product_id":"prairie-spy-apple","title":"Prairie Spy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prairie Spy Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 5 to Oct 17 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (850 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#prairie-spy-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 5 to Oct 17 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), drying (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"613\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"902\"\u003ePrairie Spy is a cold-climate apple valued for its late-ripening fruit, strong storage qualities, and reliable performance in northern regions. It is often compared to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e types for its keeping ability and structure, but with improved suitability for colder continental climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"929\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eDeveloped in 1943 under the name Minnesota 1007 at the University of Minnesota's Fruit Breeding Farm in Excelsior, Minnesota (U.S.A.). Released in 1940. Likely an open pollinated seedling of \u003ca class=\"standard apple-link\" data-apple-id=\"8188\" href=\"https:\/\/pomiferous.com\/applebyname\/northern-spy-id-8188\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Northern Spy \u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003eThe fruit is typically large, firm, and tart, with flavor that improves notably after storage. Luke really liked it when he tried it at Bob's Purvis' for the first time back in 2022. It had been in storage, however, and Bob noted that the flavor is bland off the tree but that it improves markedly in storage. Great keeper. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1707\"\u003eRipening Window\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1942\"\u003ePrairie Spy ripens late in the season, generally in the fall, and benefits from full maturity to develop its best flavor and storage potential. In colder regions, this makes good site selection and sufficient growing season important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1972\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003eTrees are generally vigorous with a traditional apple growth habit. Standard apple spacing based on rootstock applies, with wider spacing helpful for airflow and long-term tree health in colder, more humid spring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2216\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2408\"\u003ePrairie Spy is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination. Any compatible apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom will work, making it easy to pair within a mixed cold-climate orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2410\" data-end=\"2430\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2431\" data-end=\"2693\"\u003eHardy to at least -40F making it a solid zone 3 apple. However, Ed Schultz noted that his Prairie Spy did not shut down at his location in Gallatin Gateway, which resulted in the tree succumbing to winter injury from severe early fall frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Prairie Spy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Prairie Spy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Prairie Spy Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Prairie Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Prairie Spy Apple hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Prairie Spy Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 850 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#prairie-spy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Prairie Spy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 5 to Oct 17 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Prairie Spy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Prairie Spy Apple onto M26 (dwarf to semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 8 to 14 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Prairie Spy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Prairie Spy Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Prairie Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Prairie Spy Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503529365570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-spy-apple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"roxbury-russet-apple","title":"Roxbury Russet Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roxbury Russet Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 4 to 6. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 71 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: \u003cem\u003eThis is a new variety for us, so the information below is based on historical pomological sources and grower reports rather than our own long-term, first-hand experience.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet is widely regarded as the oldest named apple cultivar in North America, long valued for its durability, storability, and distinctive russeted fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet originated in Massachusetts and is documented in cultivation by the mid-1600s, making it a foundational apple of early colonial orchards. It was grown extensively throughout New England for centuries, not because it was flashy or early, but because it reliably produced fruit that could be stored and eaten deep into winter. Its longevity in American orchards speaks to both its resilience and its practical value in a pre-refrigeration world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is medium-sized with heavy, rough russeting over greenish-gold skin. Flesh is firm, dense, and mildly sweet with a nutty, earthy, almost pear-like flavor that develops and improves noticeably after storage. Roxbury Russet has historically been prized as a winter keeper, excelling for fresh eating after a period of storage, as well as for baking and cider. It is not typically an apple meant for immediate eating at harvest, but rather one that rewards patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are typically vigorous, long-lived, and spreading, especially on standard rootstocks. Like many very old cultivars, Roxbury Russet can be slower to come into bearing compared to modern apples, but it compensates with durability and longevity. Spacing on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e rootstock (what we currently offer) is in the 18-20 ft. range. Tighter spacing could be applied for a more intensive pruning regiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoxbury Russet is not self-fertile and requires a compatible apple pollenizer with overlapping bloom. As a diploid apple, it both requires and provides viable pollen and fits well into mixed plantings with other mid-season blooming apples. Examples of what could cross with Roxbury Russet includes the following: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/9-22-end-apple\"\u003e9-22 End\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ashmeads-kernel-apple\"\u003eAshmead’s Kernel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empire-apple\"\u003eEmpire\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/freedom-apple\"\u003eFreedom\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, KinderKrisp, McIntosh, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mn-1628-apple\"\u003eMN 1628\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/paula-red\"\u003ePaula Red\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pristine\"\u003ePristine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/spartan-apple\"\u003eSpartan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/martha-applecrab\"\u003eMartha\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommonly reported as a zone 4 apple, there are anecdotal online claims of survival to colder temperatures, sometimes as low as the -40°F range, but we have not confirmed this. For now, until we have more experience with it, we are listing it as hardy to -30F, and therefore for Montana growers, should just be grown in the warmest valleys of western MT. These are: Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Flathead, Jocko, Lower Kootenai, Mission, Missoula, and Upper Flathead \/ North Fork. For Eastern MT, could possibly work in Billings and the surrounding warmer microclimates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Roxbury Russet Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Roxbury Russet Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Roxbury Russet Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 4 to 6. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Roxbury Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Roxbury Russet Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Roxbury Russet Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#roxbury-russet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Roxbury Russet Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Roxbury Russet Apple onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Roxbury Russet Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Roxbury Russet Apple are winter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Roxbury Russet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Roxbury Russet Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Roxbury Russet Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 5-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42504523776066,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/roxbury-russet-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"spokane-beauty-apple","title":"Spokane Beauty Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spokane Beauty Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 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 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#spokane-beauty-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. 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\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 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\u003eSpokane Beauty is a historic Inland Northwest heritage apple valued for its exceptional fruit size, attractive red striping, and strong performance in cold continental climates. It is a dual-purpose dessert and culinary apple long recognized for producing very large fruit with excellent flavor and dependable productivity. The variety became one of the few apple cultivars from eastern Washington to achieve regional notoriety and commercial recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty originated in Walla Walla, Washington in the mid-1800s as a chance seedling grown from planted apple pips by settler Stephen Maxson. Its exact parentage is unknown and has never been definitively identified. The seedling was later introduced and promoted by the Maxson family and became known as Spokane Beauty after being exhibited regionally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variety quickly gained recognition when it was presented at the Spokane Fruit Fair, where it won first-place ribbons in both 1895 and 1896. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries it became one of the most notable apple varieties originating from eastern Washington and was widely planted throughout the Inland Northwest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty reflects the early homesteading era of fruit growing in the Pacific Northwest, when orchardists planted seeds and selected exceptional seedlings capable of surviving harsh continental winters. Because apples do not grow true from seed, Spokane Beauty represents a unique genetic individual preserved through grafting since its discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty produces very large to extremely large apples, sometimes reaching extraordinary size and weight compared to most dessert apples. The fruit is round to slightly irregular, with a pale green to yellow base color covered by bright red striping or blush. The flesh is white, crisp, firm, and juicy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we first tried these apples on Rod McIver’s farm in Kalispell, MT in the Fall of 2023 the first thing we noticed was their massive size. Thinking that the flavor was likely going to be watered down, this was exactly the opposite experience. The flavor was excellent. Good sweetness, with a nice touch of acidity, the apple had a very pleasant lemon flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is excellent for fresh eating and also performs well for baking, drying, sauce, and juice. It holds shape well when cooked and stores for roughly three to four months under proper storage conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are vigorous and upright to spreading with strong structural growth. Spokane Beauty is a tip-bearing variety that produces fruit on terminal shoots and tends toward annual cropping with proper management. It is known for early productivity, strong vigor, and reliable performance in colder orchard regions. Fruit thinning is often beneficial due to its tendency toward heavy crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Spokane Beauty on Budagovsky 118 rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118, trees should be spaced about 15 feet apart. For tighter plantings, spacing can be reduced to 12 feet apart. For wider spacing in fertile soils or lower-density systems, trees can be spaced up to 18 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike almost all apples, Spokane Beauty is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination from another apple or crabapple with overlapping bloom. It is diploid and blooms in the mid-season apple bloom window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable pollenizers include any genetically distinct mid-season blooming Malus domestica or Malus crabapple. From our offerings, this includes McIntosh, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/spartan-apple\"\u003eSpartan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goodland-apple\"\u003eGoodland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty is highly adapted to cold continental climates. It is at least hardy to at least −35°F without winter injury, as shown on Rod McIver’s farm from the −35°F event his property experienced on January 13, 2024 in Kalispell, MT off of Rose Crossing. At least zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpokane Beauty is notable for its unusually large fruit size, with some specimens historically recorded at extremely large weights compared to standard apples. It was also selected as a parent for later cultivars and sports, including the large-fruited Stark Jumbo strain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variety is susceptible to apple scab and powdery mildew and benefits from standard orchard disease management. Despite this, it has remained valued as a hardy regional heirloom that represents the seedling-selection tradition of early Northwestern orchardists and the development of locally adapted cold-climate fruit genetics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReference Plate (w\/ cm grid) Image: Resolution enhanced from a public domain image. The apple is unchanged, but some of the surrounding text and numbers may vary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Spokane Beauty itself. Photos of Spokane Beauty are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Gravensteiner apple” by Ingo Wölbern, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gravensteiner_apple.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 Spokane Beauty Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Spokane Beauty Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Spokane Beauty 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 Spokane Beauty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Spokane Beauty 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 Spokane Beauty 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#spokane-beauty-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Spokane Beauty Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Spokane Beauty 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 Spokane Beauty Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Spokane Beauty Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Spokane Beauty Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Spokane Beauty Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Spokane Beauty 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":42504710488130,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-striped-apples.jpg?v=1791616369"},{"product_id":"yates-apple","title":"Yates Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yates 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 (800 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#yates-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\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 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\u003eWe don't have long-term data from our own mother trees of Yates yet, so everything below is secondhand for now.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYates is an old Georgia apple, small and red striped, and known as a good keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Downing's The Fruits and Fruit-Trees of America, Yates \"originated in Fayette Co., Ga.\" We haven't found a date or parentage for it. Downing's entry is the only detailed old description we've been able to track down, so everything below comes from him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDowning describes the fruit as small, oblate or oblate-conic, \"whitish yellow, overspread, shaded, splashed, and striped with shades of red, many light dots.\" The flesh is white, \"sometimes stained next the skin, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid.\" He rated it \"good\" and called it a \"good keeper.\"\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. Downing called the tree a \"very upright grower\" and a \"great bearer.\"\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\u003eYates is a southern apple, and we haven't found any published hardiness data for it. We've listed it at zone 4 as an estimate. Treat that as untested until we have our own winter data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “starr-201126-8560-Malus pumila-Yates fruit-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui” by Forest and Kim Starr (Starr Environmental), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/starr-environmental\/50860211011\/\" 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; “starr-201126-8559-Malus pumila-Yates fruiting habit-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui” by Forest and Kim Starr (Starr Environmental), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/starr-environmental\/50860210711\/\" 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; “Pomological Watercolor POM00000919” by Heiges, Bertha, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pomological_Watercolor_POM00000919.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 Yates Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Yates Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Yates 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 Yates Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Yates Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. It's a southern apple and we haven't found any published hardiness data, so treat that as an untested estimate until we have our own winter data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Yates 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 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#yates-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Yates Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Yates 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 Yates Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Yates Apple are winter storage (9\/10), hard cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Downing'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 Yates Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Yates Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Yates 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. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42511541239874,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/yates-apple-on-branch.jpg?v=1791616567"},{"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":"nova-pear","title":"Nova Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nova Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 11 to Sep 21 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 800 hours (600 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#nova-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Nova's introducer calls it self-fertile, but other growers hedge, so plant a second pear for dependable crops. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, Hudar or Ure are good partners. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hudar-pear\"\u003eHudar Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 21 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\u003eOHxF87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (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\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"300\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"592\"\u003eNova is a decently cold-hardy European pear introduced through St. Lawrence Nurseries and is widely regarded as one of the better fresh-eating pears available for colder climates. It is valued for its excellent fruit quality, precocity, and reliable performance where many dessert pears struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"619\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"902\"\u003eNova was introduced by St. Lawrence Nurseries and named by Bill MacKentley after his daughter, Nova. While the exact parentage is not formally documented in published breeding records, Nova has long circulated in cold-climate nursery trade based on performance rather than pedigree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"930\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"931\" data-end=\"1395\"\u003eNova produces large, round pears with melting, juicy flesh and good to excellent eating quality. It is considered among the best fresh-eating pears for cold regions. The fruit may be used either green or fully ripe, offering flexibility in harvest timing. Pears hang well on the tree and ripen around mid-September in the Bitterroot Valley, developing a yellow skin as they mature. Nova is also suitable for kitchen use, though it is primarily valued as a dessert pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1425\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1764\"\u003eTrees are described as low vigor, spreading, and precocious, making them well suited to smaller plantings and easier long-term management. Standard pear spacing applies depending on rootstock, but 15–20 ft is a practical range for semi-dwarf to standard systems, with wider spacing improving airflow and light penetration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1783\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"2102\"\u003eNova is often described as self-fruitful, which is somewhat uncommon among European pears. Even so, fruit set and consistency are typically improved when planted with another pear that overlaps bloom. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hudar-pear\"\u003eHudar\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, Golden Spice, or any of the Russian pairs would serve well as a pollenizer for Nova. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2124\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2125\" data-end=\"2514\"\u003eSome list Nova as a zone 2 pear, although it is more likely zone3. We have obrserved Nova survive at -38F in Stevensville, MT without any winter injury and situated in a lower spot where frost settles more readily. That said, growers in Fairbanks have not had good success with Nova. Could work in eastern MT with appropriate site selection and frost drainage, but if your areas consistently drops below -40F, stick with the Russian varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Nova Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Nova Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Nova Pear is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Nova's introducer calls it self-fertile, but other growers hedge, so plant a second pear for dependable crops. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hudar-pear\"\u003eHudar\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre\u003c\/a\u003e are good partners. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, Hudar Pear, Ure Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Nova Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Nova Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Nova Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,100. 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#nova-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Nova Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 21 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 Nova Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Nova Pear onto OHxF87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Nova Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Nova Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Nova Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Nova Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134310178882,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134310244418,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45134310211650,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"OHxF87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42503112065090,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nova-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"taylor-apple-pear","title":"Taylor Apple Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taylor Apple Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a pear).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 7. 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 (400 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#taylor-apple-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Taylor may set a light crop alone, but plan on a partner for real crops. Choose an early-blooming pear such as Krazulya, Larinskaya or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, since Asian pears usually bloom ahead of most European pears. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUssurian: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest pear species there is. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 3-5 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is an Asian pear selected for extreme cold tolerance and Taylor stands out as one of the hardiest, if not the hardiest Asian pear that we know of. While the flavor is apparently very good, we have not yet tasted this variety firsthand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear circulates as a named cultivar in the cold-climate fruit nursery trade and has been marketed as an “Asian pear” or “apple pear” due to its round shape and crunchy texture. Some nurseries describe it as an introduction associated with Green Barn Nursery, but we couldn't find any credible published breeding record that documents a specific cross or named parents. For that reason, it is most accurate to treat Taylor Apple Pear as a named selection with an unpublished pedigree rather than a formally documented breeding-program cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit are commonly described as round, green to yellow-green with a light blush, ripening in the late season (often late September into October depending on climate). The defining characteristic is texture: firm, crisp, and juicy. It is best used fresh—sliced and chilled—and it also holds up well for fresh culinary uses where you want crunch rather than softening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruits are more compact than many European pear trees, with heavy spring bloom followed by firm, waxy-skinned fruit. As with pears generally, early training and annual pruning for structure, light, and airflow are key to keeping the canopy productive and reducing disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Taylor Apple Pear on Ussurian pear full-size rootstock. A practical spacing range for this would be roughly 18 ft. depending on site, vigor, and how intensively you plan to prune for size control. If you want a large, low-maintenance tree, lean wider; if you plan regular pruning to keep the canopy tighter, the lower end of that range can work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is commonly described as at least partially self-fertile, but pears typically set heavier and more consistently with cross-pollination, so the safest recommendation is to plant a second pear nearby that overlaps bloom at your site. Any of our Russian pears would work for pollination, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, Kraznobokaya, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is one of the most cold-hardy Asian-pear-type cultivars in circulation, with some sellers claiming -40°F-class hardiness. In our own Montana network, we obtained scionwood from Les McCartney, who has grown this successfully in Bozeman, Montana, and whose his site reached -45°F, with minimal to no winter injury for this variety. Based on that real-world Montana experience, we consider Taylor Apple Pear at least hardy to -45°F in the right conditions, while noting that duration of cold, acclimation timing, wind exposure, and site microclimate strongly influence winter injury outcomes. We’re listing it as zone 2b hardy (-45°F), best in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.whiffletreefarmandnursery.ca\/?srsltid=AfmBOoqYvQ5NfaQy0wrTxdopZAfs-fvHRR-YydsUsGM8V0XmnKQ8hGej\"\u003eWhiffle Tree Nursery\u003c\/a\u003e in Ontario Canada\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Taylor Apple Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Taylor Apple Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Taylor Apple Pear is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Taylor may set a light crop alone, but plan on a partner for real crops. Choose an early-blooming pear such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, since Asian pears usually bloom ahead of most European pears. Partners we carry include Krazulya Pear, Larinskaya Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Taylor Apple Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Taylor Apple Pear 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 Taylor Apple Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 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#taylor-apple-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Taylor Apple Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Taylor Apple Pear onto Ussurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Taylor Apple Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Taylor Apple Pear are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Taylor Apple Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Taylor Apple Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Taylor Apple Pear ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft or 3-5 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":42505032761410,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135421243458,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421276226,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45135421308994,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421341762,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421374530,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/taylor-apple-pear-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"aromatnaya-russian-quince","title":"Aromatnaya Russian Quince (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatnaya Russian Quince is a quince tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuince (Cydonia oblonga)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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 300 hours (100 to 500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#aromatnaya-russian-quince\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very late spring here. Aromatnaya is self-fertile, so one tree will fruit. Planting \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ravalli-quince\"\u003eRavalli Quince\u003c\/a\u003e nearby should improve crops, since quince pollenizes best with other quince. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#quince\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooking and roasting (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), pies and baking (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\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\u003cp data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"151\"\u003eWe are new to growing Aromatnaya Russian Quince, so this information is all second-hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"153\" data-end=\"169\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"603\"\u003eAromatnaya Russian Quince is an old Black Sea–region variety known for its intense fragrance—when the fruit ripens, it fills the area with a tropical, pineapple-citrus aroma. The fruit is large, bright yellow, and firm when first picked, then softens in storage to a pear-like texture that becomes sweet enough to enjoy fresh. Aromatnaya is also excellent for jelly, preserves, baking, and for adding aroma and tannin to apple cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"637\"\u003eHardiness \u0026amp; Growth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"638\" data-end=\"1083\"\u003eThis cultivar is one of the hardiest quinces available, typically listed hardy to USDA zone 4–5 and generally expected to tolerate temperatures down to about –30°F once established. The tree naturally grows compact, usually around 10–12 feet tall and wide, with a spreading habit that lends itself well to open-center training. It blooms in late April and ripens late September into October, with fruit that stores for months in cool conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1085\" data-end=\"1104\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1613\"\u003eAromatnaya is self-fertile, so a single tree will produce fruit on its own, and we do not offer any other quince currently. Although Aromatnaya sometimes overlaps bloom with later European pears, quince always pollenizes best with other quince, and pears should be considered bonus pollen rather than the main source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1634\"\u003eSite \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1914\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThis variety prefers full or half-day sun and well-drained soil, and it shows good disease resistance relative to many fruit trees. As with all quinces, it can be susceptible to fire blight in high-pressure areas, so maintaining airflow and clean pruning practices is beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Aromatnaya Russian Quince\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Aromatnaya Russian Quince need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Aromatnaya Russian Quince is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Aromatnaya is self-fertile, so one tree will fruit. Planting \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ravalli-quince\"\u003eRavalli Quince\u003c\/a\u003e nearby should improve crops, since quince pollenizes best with other quince.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Aromatnaya Russian Quince?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Aromatnaya Russian Quince 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 Aromatnaya Russian Quince need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 100 and 500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Quince needs little chill, roughly 300 hours. Winter cold, not chill, is the real limit for quince up north. 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#aromatnaya-russian-quince\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Aromatnaya Russian Quince get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Aromatnaya Russian Quince onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Aromatnaya Russian Quince good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Aromatnaya Russian Quince are cooking and roasting (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Aromatnaya Russian Quince 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. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45124770594882,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124770627650,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124770660418,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/aromatnaya-russian-quince-on-tree.jpg?v=1789019154"},{"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":"september-ruby-apple","title":"September Ruby Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e September Ruby 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 27 to Sep 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 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 950 hours (800 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#september-ruby-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. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 2 to 4 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\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 27 to Sep 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\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Plant 18 to 25 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\u003eJuice and sweet cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), winter storage (7\/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, 3-4 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\u003eSeptember Ruby is an extremely cold-hardy prairie apple released for northern climates where winter survival and dependable cropping matter more than perfect “dessert apple” aesthetics. It produces medium-sized, bright red fruit over a light green base, with crisp flesh and a distinctly tart-leaning, refreshing eating quality. In prairie and subarctic-style testing and grower use, it is consistently positioned as a versatile apple for fresh eating, cooking, juicing, and surprisingly strong keeping for an early-to-mid September ripener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby was developed within Canada’s prairie hardy-fruit breeding efforts. It originated from the Morden Research Station (Agriculture Canada) through work led by C. R. Ure for the Prairie Fruit Breeding Cooperative. It was selected as #6021, tested as PF36, and released in 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts documented lineage is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue\u003c\/a\u003e × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, a cross that aligns with the breeding goal of combining early-season reliability and cold hardiness with improved fruit quality for very cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit is typically described as medium-sized, around 6–7 cm (roughly 2½ inches) in diameter, round-oblate (somewhat flattened), often with noticeable ribbing. Skin is moderately thick with a light green base striped and blushed bright to dark red, and it may occasionally become fully red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flesh is greenish, crisp, and moderately acid. In plain eating terms, the flavor is commonly described as “a bit tart” while still being considered a great eating apple, with strong crunch and a clean, straightforward apple character rather than a complex or perfumed profile. It is rated very good for fresh eating, and it is also consistently recommended for cooking and especially for juicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne important nuance from prairie cultivar notes is that green-fleshed apples can read as slightly bitter to some individuals. That does not mean the apple is “bitter” as a rule; it means a minority of tasters may perceive a slight bitter edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of storage, September Ruby is notably a good keeper for its season, with documented storage performance up to about 16 weeks under proper cold storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is moderately vigorous with an upright-spreading habit, fair to good branching, and annual productivity. It is commonly described as reliably productive in cold regions once established, fitting the overall “hardy prairie workhorse” profile that these breeding programs targeted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer September Ruby on Antonovka full-size rootstock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a full-size rootstock, Antonovka will ultimately produce a large, vigorous tree. In most orchard settings, practical spacing is generally in the range of about 18–25 feet between trees depending on soil vigor, irrigation, pruning\/training intensity, and whether you’re managing for equipment access. A tighter spacing can work if you commit to canopy management and want earlier orchard “closure,” while wider spacing is appropriate on fertile ground or where you want large, low-maintenance trees over the long haul. For a rigorous pruning regiment, trees could even be planted closer than 18 ft. apart. If the growing season is longer than ours in MT, and the soils are deeper, one likely will need to summer prune as well Spring prune, whereas colder climate folks could likely get away with just Spring pruning at 15 ft spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby should be treated as not self-fertile for reliable production and should be planted with a different, compatible apple or crabapple that overlaps bloom for cross-pollination. Examples we offer include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, Haralson, Rescue, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dearborns-unknown\"\u003eDearborn's Unknown\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-sensation-apple\"\u003ePrairie Sensation\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norkent-apple\"\u003eNorkent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norda-apple\"\u003eNorda\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norson-apple\"\u003eNorson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e. and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie cultivar documentation places September Ruby in the most cold-adapted class of apples commonly grown in North America, with hardiness noted to zone 2 in its original program descriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn-the-ground, the tree has performed very well for Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway and showed no winter injury after repeated winters that saw −47°F. That observation is specific to that site and management, but it is consistent with September Ruby’s documented role as a top-tier zone 2 cold-climate apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeptember Ruby is often nicknamed “King of the North” in the hardy-fruit world, reflecting the way growers talk about its winter survival and annual bearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed as moderately resistant to fire blight, which is notable for a very hardy apple type, but it should still be managed like any apple in a fire blight region (balanced nutrition, avoid excessive vigor, prompt removal of strikes if they occur). Some cultivar references also note susceptibility to mildew, so standard airflow and canopy management remains worthwhile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t September Ruby itself. Photos of September Ruby are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “\"Konsta\" apples grown in Finland (K01561)” by Vici, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%22Konsta%22_apples_grown_in_Finland_(K01561).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 September Ruby Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes September Ruby Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. September Ruby 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 2 to 4 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rescue-apple-crab\"\u003eRescue Applecrab\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is September Ruby Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate September Ruby 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 September Ruby Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 950 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,100. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Prairie-bred and very hardy. Chill is estimated near 950 hours, far less than a Montana winter delivers. 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#september-ruby-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does September Ruby Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 27 to Sep 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 September Ruby Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft September Ruby Apple onto Dolgo (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 25 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is September Ruby Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for September Ruby Apple are juice and sweet cider (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), winter storage (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 September Ruby Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect September Ruby 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: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42504557527106,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134580973634,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/red-striped-apples-on-tree-representative.jpg?v=1791615904"},{"product_id":"hidden-rose-apple","title":"Hidden Rose Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hidden Rose Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 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 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#hidden-rose-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\u003eM26: dwarf to semi-dwarf, about 8 to 14 ft tall unpruned. Stake it the first few years. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), salads and slicing (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, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"328\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"329\" data-end=\"769\"\u003eHidden Rose is a red-fleshed apple that originated as a chance seedling in the Airlie area of Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the mid-1900s (commonly referenced as discovered in the 1960s). Parentage is not documented. It has been circulated under multiple names, including Airlie Red Flesh, Mountain Rose, and Newell-Kimzey, with “Hidden Rose” becoming the best-known market name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"797\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"798\" data-end=\"1150\"\u003eHidden Rose is best known for its striking pink-to-red interior flesh, which makes it especially attractive for fresh slices, salads, and visual culinary uses. Its eating quality tends to land in the “good, crisp, tart-leaning” category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1152\" data-end=\"1589\"\u003eWe obtained cuttings for grafting these originally from Rod McIver, and the guy he got his cuttings from said: \"Hidden Rose apple is not anyone's favorite apple but everyone agrees it’s a good apple\". Rod argued that it is \"like a Granny Smith that has flavor, and a quality Granny Smith.\" Luke thought the flavor was certainly good when he tried it for the first time on October 19th, 2023 at Rod’s. In general, it also has value for juice\/cider where color and acidity can be an asset, though it’s most famous as a fresh “novelty-plus-quality” apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1591\" data-end=\"1611\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"2259\"\u003ePublished hardiness guidance for Hidden Rose is typically given as a zone range rather than a verified single “kills-at” temperature, and those zone ratings are often around the Zone 4 class in general references. What matters most for Montana, though, is direct local observation: Hidden Rose survived approximately −35°F unscathed at Rod McIver’s off Rose Crossing in Kalispell, Montana on January 13, 2024. That single event does not prove a universal lower limit for every site and rootstock combination, but it does support treating Hidden Rose as legitimately cold-tolerant in northwest Montana conditions when properly acclimated and sited. So we would list Hidden Rose as a solid zone 3b apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2296\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2594\"\u003eFirstly, Hidden Rose is an excellent keeper. The photo used was taken in the first week of March, 5 months after the apple was picked off the tree in Kalispell, and had not even shown any signs of breakdown by that point. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2594\"\u003eThat said, the red flesh is the headline trait, but the broader value is that it pairs that novelty with respectable crispness and a tart profile that many people recognize and enjoy. If you like Granny Smith but want more character (and dramatic color), Hidden Rose is often described as fitting that niche. Certainly much hardier than a Granny Smith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Hidden Rose Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hidden Rose Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Hidden Rose 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 Hidden Rose Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Hidden Rose 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 Hidden Rose 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#hidden-rose-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Hidden Rose Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Hidden Rose Apple onto M26 (dwarf to semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 8 to 14 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Hidden Rose Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Hidden Rose Apple are hard cider (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Hidden Rose Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Hidden Rose Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Hidden Rose 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":"M26 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (2 Years Older)","offer_id":43010503737410,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hidden-rose-apple-cut.jpg?v=1789020135"},{"product_id":"black-oxford-apple","title":"Black Oxford Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Oxford Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b from other growers' reports (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Rod McIver's tree in Kalispell came through -38°F without winter injury. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-oxford-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), hard cider (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew to us this year, so what follows comes from the historical record and from growers in Maine, New England and Montana rather than from our own trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Oxford is the keeper other keepers get measured against. It is a dark purple apple that looks almost black on the tree, and it will sit in a cold room until spring and get better while it does it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt originated in Paris, Maine, on Paris Hill, around 1790, and it was a staple across Maine and northern New England through the whole nineteenth century. Like a lot of the great old keepers it fell out of commerce when refrigeration made storage quality less valuable, and it survived because Maine growers refused to let it go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized, round, with deep purple skin under a heavy bloom. The flesh is firm and dense, tart at harvest and noticeably sweeter after a couple of months in storage. Fresh out of the orchard it is unremarkable. Eaten in February it is excellent, which is the whole point of the variety. It bakes well, holds up in pies, dries well, and it presses into a good cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. It is a vigorous, long-lived tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Oxford needs a pollenizer and blooms mid to late. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e and most of our crabapples overlap well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 3b based on how far north it has been grown in Maine and the Maritimes. Closer to home, Rod McIver's Black Oxford in Kalispell came through -38F without any winter injury. We have not put our own trees through a Montana winter yet, so give it a decent site while we build our own record on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Black Oxford itself. Photos of Black Oxford are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by Marek Studzinski, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-red-apple-hanging-from-a-tree-branch-X08MKrc-bLs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “PI 157052 Black Oxford fruit (GMAL 794)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1137647\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Oxford Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Oxford Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Black Oxford Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Oxford Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Black Oxford Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. That's based on its record in Maine and the Maritimes, and Rod McIver's tree in Kalispell came through -38°F without winter injury. We haven't wintered our own trees yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Black Oxford Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-oxford-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Black Oxford Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 11 to Oct 25 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Black Oxford Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Black Oxford Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Oxford Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Oxford Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on the historical record and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Oxford Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Black Oxford Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156102242370,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156102275138,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1715253853924-4a29c92f9070.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"product_id":"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":"colorado-orange-apple","title":"Colorado Orange Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colorado Orange Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at zone 3b (winters to -35°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 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#colorado-orange-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\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10), cooking and roasting (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, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Colorado Orange, 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\u003eColorado Orange is an old Colorado apple that was grown for keeping. The old description the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project has on file says it's \"palatable in December and improves from then on to July.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project (MORP), which works to preserve Colorado's heritage apples, it was originated by Jesse Frazer of Fremont County, Colorado, more than 100 years ago. Frazer said it was \"of excellent quality,\" with a flavor \"distinct and peculiar to itself.\" The USDA also had a specimen painted for its Pomological Watercolor Collection, and that's the painting in our photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe old description MORP quotes calls it \"large, round, oblate,\" a yellowish-orange apple with a blush where the sun hits it. The flesh is light yellow, \"exceedingly firm, yet very crisp,\" with \"a rich, high aromatic, sub-acid flavor,\" and it's very juicy. MORP lists it for fresh eating, cooking and cider, and the same description calls it \"the longest keeper.\" If you have a root cellar, this is the kind of apple it's for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. 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\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goodland-apple\"\u003eGoodland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northwest-greening-apple\"\u003eNorthwest Greening\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 published hardiness number for Colorado Orange. We've listed it at zone 3b for now, but that's an estimate, not a tested number. 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\"\u003eImage credit: watercolor of the ‘Colorado Orange’ apple by Bertha Heiges, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pomological_Watercolor_POM00001791.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Colorado Orange itself. Photos of Colorado Orange are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Jonagold apples” by liz west, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Jonagold_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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Colorado Orange Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Colorado Orange Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Colorado Orange 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 Colorado Orange Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Colorado Orange Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. There's no published hardiness number for it and we haven't wintered our own trees yet, so zone 3b is an estimate, not a tested number. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Colorado Orange 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#colorado-orange-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Colorado Orange Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Colorado Orange 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 Colorado Orange Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Colorado Orange Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on MORP's old description rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Colorado Orange Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Colorado Orange Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Colorado Orange 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 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: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45156137009218,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156137041986,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-orange-blushed-apples-representative.jpg?v=1791615297"},{"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":"malinda-apple","title":"Malinda Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Malinda Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from its historical record (winters to -40°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 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#malinda-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\u003eWinter storage (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on the historical record 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\u003eFirst year for us here, so the notes below are from the historical record rather than our own observations. We will update as we go.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalinda is not the best eating apple we sell, and we are not going to pretend it is. What it is, is one of the trees that made cold-climate apple growing possible in the first place, and it is still a tough, reliable keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalinda started in Vermont and moved west with settlers into Minnesota, where it turned out to be hardy enough to survive winters that killed almost everything else. That made it foundational to the University of Minnesota breeding program. It is a parent of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, and its genetics run through a whole generation of northern apples. If you grow Haralson, you are growing part of Malinda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized and conical, yellow with a light blush. The flesh is firm and mild, sweet rather than sharp, with a soft aromatic note. It is a decent fresh eater and a very good keeper, holding for months in a cold room. Most people grow it for history, for hardiness, and because it stores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. About 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet if you want more airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalinda needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid-season, so most of our apples and crabapples will overlap. Haralson, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortland\"\u003eCortland\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e all work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListed at zone 3. Given its record in Minnesota there is a good chance it goes colder, but we would rather build our own data before we claim it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Malinda itself. Photos of Malinda are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Apple jester” by Conall, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apple_jester.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “PI 644176 'Malinda' fruit image (GRIN-Global)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1654079\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Malinda Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Malinda Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Malinda 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 Malinda Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Malinda Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That's based on its long record in Minnesota, not our own winters yet. There's a good chance it goes colder, but we'd rather build our own data before we claim it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Malinda 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#malinda-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Malinda Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Malinda 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 Malinda Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Malinda Apple are winter storage (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on the historical record rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Malinda Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Malinda Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Malinda 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":45156148346946,"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":45156148379714,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/yellow-blushed-apples-representative.jpg?v=1791615844"},{"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":"red-sparkle-apple","title":"Red Sparkle Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Sparkle Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°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 2b to 7. 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 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#red-sparkle-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\u003eDolgo: 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 (7\/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, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis one is new to our lineup, so what follows comes from the prairie nurseries and growers who have had it a lot longer than we have. We will update it once we have fruited it and taken it through a few Montana winters.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Sparkle is a Morden apple, which is shorthand for it will take a prairie winter. What makes it worth a spot is that it is also a genuinely good apple, which is not always true of the very hardy ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBred at the Morden research station in Manitoba and released in 1990, out of the same program that gave us \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goodland-apple\"\u003eGoodland\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mantet-apple\"\u003eMantet\u003c\/a\u003e. McIntosh sits in its background, which is true of a remarkable number of the northern apples worth growing. Growers who have had Red Sparkle for a while tend to argue it improved on the Mac rather than just inheriting from it, which is a bigger compliment than it sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized fruit, bright red washed over a green underlay, with clean white flesh. Crisp and juicy, and the flavor gets described as nutty and fruity rather than straight sweet-tart. Good fresh, good for baking, and it stores for a couple of months, which is unusual for an apple that comes off in early to mid September. Reports from the prairies say the fruit will hang on the tree in good shape into late October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are grafted on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e full size rootstock, so give it room. Plan on 18 to 20 feet between trees. You can go tighter if you are willing to prune it hard every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Sparkle needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid-season, so most of our apples and crabapples in that window will work. Dolgo, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liberty-apple\"\u003eLiberty\u003c\/a\u003e are all reasonable pairings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are listing it at zone 2b. Morden material has a good track record in Montana, and this one was bred squarely for the coldest end of the apple range, but we have not personally taken it through a bad winter here yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Red Sparkle itself. Photos of Red Sparkle are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Apples on tree 2021 G3” by George Chernilevsky, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apples_on_tree_2021_G3.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 Red Sparkle Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Red Sparkle Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Red Sparkle 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 Red Sparkle Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Red Sparkle 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 Red Sparkle 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#red-sparkle-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Red Sparkle Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Red Sparkle 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 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Red Sparkle Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Red Sparkle Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), winter storage (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Red Sparkle Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Red Sparkle Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Red Sparkle 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 5-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45156162830402,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156162863170,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mcintosh-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791616422"},{"product_id":"reinette-simirenko-apple","title":"Reinette Simirenko Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reinette Simirenko Apple is an apple tree provisionally listed at zone 3b (winters to -35°F, untested in cold climates), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 9 to Oct 23 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#reinette-simirenko-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 9 to Oct 23 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Reinette Simirenko, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReinette Simirenko is a green apple from Ukraine, sometimes sold as Renet Simirenko or Wood's Greening. By the early 1900s it was being grown across much of Ukraine and into Crimea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story goes back to the garden of Platon Fyodorovich Simirenko, a Ukrainian sugar merchant and gardener, in the late 1800s. The sources don't agree on how it got there. The UK's National Fruit Collection says it was found in Simirenko's garden and described in 1895. A 1906 Russian fruit atlas (Atlas plodov) says Simirenko brought it in from Belgium. Either way, the atlas says it got more and more attention from growers after 1887 and was being grown in the Kiev, Poltava, Kharkov, Kherson, Podolsk and Chernigov provinces and in Crimea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized and green, with tender, crisp, greenish-white flesh and a subacid (lightly tart) flavor, according to the National Fruit Collection. It's picked in mid-October in England. It's a fresh-eating apple first. We haven't found good published data on how long it keeps, so we'll report back once we've stored our own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've listed it at zone 3b for now, but we want to be upfront that we haven't found a documented survival temperature for it. It was widely grown in Ukraine a century ago, but that doesn't give us a number. Treat it as untested in a cold climate until we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Reinette Simirenko” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Reinette_Simirenko,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1950-114).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Яблуко Ренет Симиренка IMG 0484 02” by Nickispeaki, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%AF%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE_%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0_IMG_0484_02.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Яблуко Ренет Симиренка IMG 0484 04” by Nickispeaki, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%AF%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE_%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0_IMG_0484_04.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Reinette Simirenko Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Reinette Simirenko Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Reinette Simirenko Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Reinette Simirenko Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Reinette Simirenko Apple at zone 3b for now, which means winters down to about -35°F. We haven't found a documented survival temperature for it and haven't wintered our own trees yet, so treat it as untested in a cold climate. We'll update it once we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Reinette Simirenko Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#reinette-simirenko-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Reinette Simirenko Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 9 to Oct 23 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Reinette Simirenko Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Reinette Simirenko Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Reinette Simirenko Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Reinette Simirenko Apple are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Since we're still new to it and haven't stored our own yet, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Reinette Simirenko Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Reinette Simirenko Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156166828098,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156166860866,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/reinette-simirenko-apples.jpg?v=1791616254"},{"product_id":"sandow-apple","title":"Sandow Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandow Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 9 to Oct 21 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,300). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sandow-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 9 to Oct 21 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Sandow, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSandow is an open-pollinated seedling of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e raised at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. It bears younger than Spy and it's a bit hardier, and the fruit is a crisp, juicy, red-washed winter apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seed came from apples that fruited at the Central Experimental Farm in 1898, according to W.T. Macoun's The Apple in Canada (1916). Those crosses weren't made by hand, so the other parent is unknown. It was first described in the Farm's 1912 report and officially introduced in 1935. For a while nurseries had it wrong. An Ontario bulletin from the early 1940s said \"somehow most of our nurseries have had something else instead of Sandow,\" though it added that true stock was available by then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original 1912 Ottawa description reads: medium size, roundish and ribbed, yellow \"well washed with deep crimson,\" with yellowish flesh that's \"crisp, tender, juicy,\" subacid, sprightly and pleasant, and a season of \"December to late winter.\" M.B. Davis at Ottawa wrote that the fruit \"is of good size, highly coloured, well finished and very high in quality.\" St. Lawrence Nurseries describes it as aromatic, juicy and crisp \"with a nice, tart 'snap.'\" It's picked from late September to early October, and a 1947 Quebec catalog said it keeps in storage until April. It's mainly a fresh-eating apple, and some growers use it for pies. One warning: like Spy, it's subject to bitter pit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, up to 18 feet for airflow. Davis said it \"bears earlier than Spy, on a strong vigorous tree,\" which is a big deal if you've ever waited on a Spy. The tree grows upright and is known to be a little hard to train. It's reported to handle scab better than Spy. If you topwork, a 1952 Canadian government bulletin found Virginia Crab incompatible as a frame for Sandow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSandow needs a pollenizer. We're estimating it blooms mid to mid-late, so pair it with something like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wealthy-apple\"\u003eWealthy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt. Lawrence Nurseries in northern New York rates Sandow to -40F \"with occasional winter injury.\" Most of the Canadian sources put it hardier than Spy but not as hardy as McIntosh. That lines up with our zone 3 listing, but it's right at the edge, so give it a good site if you see -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Sandow” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Sandow,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1930-044).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Sandow Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Sandow Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Sandow Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Sandow Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Sandow Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That comes from St. Lawrence Nurseries, which rates it to -40°F with occasional winter injury, not from our own winters yet. It's right at the edge, so give it a good site if you see -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Sandow Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,300. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Northern Spy. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sandow-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Sandow Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 9 to Oct 21 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Sandow Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Sandow Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Sandow Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Sandow Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Sandow Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Sandow Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156168204354,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156168237122,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/sandow-apple-fruit-cut.jpg?v=1790181391"},{"product_id":"starkey-apple","title":"Starkey Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Starkey 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 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 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#starkey-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 (7\/10), cooking and roasting (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, 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 Starkey, 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\u003eStarkey is an old Maine apple, red striped, and good for both eating and cooking. It's a fall to early winter apple rather than a long keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to S.A. Beach's The Apples of New York (1905), Starkey originated on the farm of Moses Starkey in North Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Maine. Beach said it was \"said to be popular in market\" in Maine, and worth testing in New York. We haven't found a date or parentage for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeach describes the fruit as \"of good size, fair, well colored, largely striped and splashed with red, pleasant subacid, excellent for dessert or culinary use.\" The skin is pale yellow, washed or blushed with red and striped with carmine, and the flesh is whitish, firm, crisp and juicy, lively subacid mellowing to mild. His season for it was October to January in New York.\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 says the tree is hardy and vigorous, gets fairly large and spreading, comes into bearing young, and is a good cropper every other 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, and it comes from central Maine, but nobody we've found has 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\"\u003eImage credit: watercolor of the ‘Starkey’ apple by Deborah Griscom Passmore, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pomological_Watercolor_POM00003199.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Starkey itself. Photos of Starkey are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Wet apples on tree” by Michael Palmer, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Wet_apples_on_tree.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 Starkey Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Starkey Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Starkey 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 Starkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Starkey Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. Beach called it hardy but nobody has put a number on it, 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 Starkey 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#starkey-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Starkey Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Starkey 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 Starkey Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Starkey Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Beach's description rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Starkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Starkey Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Starkey 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":45156174069826,"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-branch.jpg?v=1791616271"},{"product_id":"swiss-limbertwig","title":"Swiss Limbertwig Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swiss Limbertwig 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 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#swiss-limbertwig\"\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 (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), drying (7\/10), hard cider (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 Swiss Limbertwig, 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\u003eSwiss Limbertwig is an old Southern Appalachian apple with a color you don't see much: deep maroon, covered in big white dots. It's crisp and sweet with a hint of citrus, ripens late and keeps well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLimbertwig isn't one apple. It's a whole family of old Appalachian apples, and Big Horse Creek Farm lists Swiss as one of the named Limbertwigs. Century Farm Orchards and the Southern Heritage Apple Orchard at Horne Creek Farm in North Carolina both say it was grown by Swiss settlers in the Cumberland Mountains, which is where the name comes from. The dates people give for it are all over the place, so we won't guess at one, and we haven't found a published parentage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLee Calhoun called it \"a real beauty\" with \"a most unusual maroon color and large white pips.\" It's a medium-sized apple with a slightly rough, russet-like skin. Century Farm describes the flesh as \"firm, sweet, and very crisp,\" and Horne Creek Farm says that when it's fully ripe it \"can taste like a grapefruit.\" Watauga County Extension in North Carolina lists it as excellent for fresh eating and cider, firm when baked, and a good keeper. Brix Cider in Wisconsin tested the juice at 13.1 Brix with 8.8 g\/L acid and 0.20% tannin, and called the single-variety cider \"Nice, balanced. Good all around.\" That's high acid with the tannin sitting right at the cutoff, so it lands on the line between a sharp and a bittersharp. Every ripening date we've found comes from North Carolina, where it's picked in October, so we don't know yet how it'll time out in a Montana season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Bud 118, which acts more like a semi-dwarf in our Montana soils. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 if you prune hard or up to 18 for more airflow. Watauga County Extension calls it easy to grow and says the Limbertwig name comes from the way the limbs weep when they're loaded with fruit. A writer for the Avery Journal in North Carolina, who has worked with an old Swiss Limbertwig tree since 2013 and planted a young one too, found they both grow \"fast and easily\" with \"few insect or disease issues.\" Horne Creek Farm says the trees are consistent bearers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwiss Limbertwig needs a pollenizer. We haven't found published bloom data for it, and we've estimated it as a mid-season bloomer. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goodland-apple\"\u003eGoodland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wolf-river-apple\"\u003eWolf River\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson crab\u003c\/a\u003e all bloom mid-season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe haven't found a documented winter survival temperature for Swiss Limbertwig. None of the cold-climate nurseries we trust (Cummins, Purvis, St. Lawrence and Alaska Fruit Trees) list it, and everything we've found on how it grows comes from the southern Appalachians. We've listed it at zone 4 for now, which is 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\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Swiss Limbertwig itself. Photos of Swiss Limbertwig are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “'King David' Apple” by Forest and Kim Starr, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/forest-and-kim\/46883676685\/\" 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 Swiss Limbertwig Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Swiss Limbertwig Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Swiss Limbertwig 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 Swiss Limbertwig Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Swiss Limbertwig Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. We haven't found a documented winter survival temperature for it and 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 Swiss Limbertwig 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#swiss-limbertwig\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Swiss Limbertwig Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Swiss Limbertwig 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 Swiss Limbertwig Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Swiss Limbertwig Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), winter storage (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), drying (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Swiss Limbertwig Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Swiss Limbertwig Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Swiss Limbertwig 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":45156176822338,"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":45156176855106,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/deep-maroon-apple-representative.jpg?v=1791617260"},{"product_id":"thunderbolt-apple","title":"Thunderbolt Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thunderbolt Apple is an apple tree provisionally rated hardy to zone 4 from its Colorado record (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#thunderbolt-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Thunderbolt, so everything below comes from other people's work rather than our own observations here. We will update it once we have fruit and a few winters behind us.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt is a big, dark red winter apple that was effectively lost for decades before the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project tracked it back down in southwest Colorado. It is firm, sharp, and built for storage, and it is one of the more striking apples we have ever put in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt, also known as Hoover, was one of the apples that made Montezuma County, Colorado famous for fruit around the turn of the last century. It was a favorite of Jasper Hall, an early grower known locally as the Fruit Wizard of Montezuma County. The variety slipped out of commerce as old orchards were pulled and replanted to Red Delicious, and for years it existed mostly as a name in old records. Jude and Addie Schuenemeyer of MORP first ran across it in a magazine published in 1909 by a Denver writer named Lillian Hartman, and then spent years hunting for a living tree. They eventually found it in the remnant of an old orchard, grafted everything they could, and only confirmed it later when one of those trees matched another Thunderbolt they had collected north of Cortez.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is large and nearly maroon, with white speckles and flecks of golden brown across the top. The flesh is firm and briskly acidic. This is not an apple to eat off the tree in September. Pick it after a good frost and put it away, because the flavor keeps improving in storage and it will hold most of the winter. That acid makes it useful well beyond fresh eating, so sauce, pies, canning and cider all work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are offering Thunderbolt on Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock, so plan on roughly 15 feet between trees, or up to 18 feet if you want more airflow and less pruning pressure down the road.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThunderbolt needs a pollenizer. It blooms mid to late, so pair it with another apple in that window. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap, as do most of our crabapples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are listing it at zone 4 for now, which is where the Colorado record puts it. We have no Montana winter data on it yet, so if you are in a cold pocket of the western valleys or anywhere east of the divide, give it a good site out of frost pooling until we know more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Thunderbolt itself. Photos of Thunderbolt are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo by Marek Studzinski, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/honeycrisp-apple-fruits-_1JLJ9jOLJ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Thunderbolt Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Thunderbolt Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Thunderbolt Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Thunderbolt Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Thunderbolt Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's where its Colorado record puts it. We don't have Montana winter data on it yet, so give it a good site out of frost pooling until we know more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Thunderbolt Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#thunderbolt-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Thunderbolt Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Thunderbolt Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Thunderbolt Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Thunderbolt Apple are winter storage (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on MORP's notes rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Thunderbolt Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Thunderbolt Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Thunderbolt Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45156177969218,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1576179634586-d8c5c8ae5d49.jpg?v=1791638047"},{"product_id":"tolman-sweet-apple","title":"Tolman Sweet Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tolman Sweet Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at zone 4 (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 2 to Oct 16 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#tolman-sweet-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. 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 Oct 2 to Oct 16 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\u003eCooking and roasting (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), hard cider (7\/10), drying (6\/10), winter storage (6\/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, 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 Tolman Sweet, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTolman Sweet is an old New England sweet apple. It's pale yellow, very sweet and firm, and it's best known as a baking and cooking apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNobody's sure exactly where it started. S.A. Beach's The Apples of New York (1905) credits it to Rhode Island in one place and mentions an 1891 claim that it came from Dorchester, Massachusetts, in another. The earliest description he could find was from 1822, and even that author couldn't trace it. Beach wrote that it was \"more generally grown in the home orchards of this state than any other sweet apple.\" It shows up in other family trees too. DNA work done with the Maine Heritage Orchard found it's a parent of the Maine apples Gray Pearmain and Green Monster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is medium or a little smaller, roundish, and pale clear yellow, sometimes with a light blush. Beach describes the flesh as white, firm, \"rather hard,\" and \"decidedly sweet,\" and says it was \"much esteemed for certain culinary purposes as pickling, boiling and baking.\" In a regular cellar it lasted from November to January, and in cold storage into February to April. It bruises easily, so handle it carefully.\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 \"a good grower, long-lived and very hardy,\" with a spreading, drooping shape, and says it bears fairly young and is a reliable cropper. He also notes it was often used as a stock to top-graft less hardy varieties onto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs a pollenizer and blooms mid-season. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/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 and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeach wrote that across northern New York, northern New England, parts of Canada and the northern prairie apple country, Tolman Sweet had \"the reputation of being one of the hardiest of the old New England varieties.\" That's encouraging, but it's not a number. We've listed it at zone 4 for now, 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\"\u003eImage credit: watercolor of the ‘Tolman Sweet’ apple by Amanda Newton, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pomological_Watercolor_POM00003500.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Tolman Sweet itself. Photos of Tolman Sweet are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Weisser Klarapfel Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof Frucht H16” by Helge Klaus Rieder, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Weisser_Klarapfel_Freilichtmuseum_Roscheider_Hof_Frucht_H16.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. Other photo: “Gibson Square apple tree (2)” by Oaktree b, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gibson_Square_apple_tree_(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 Tolman Sweet Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Tolman Sweet Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Tolman Sweet 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. 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 Tolman Sweet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Tolman Sweet Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. Beach called it one of the hardiest old New England apples 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 Tolman Sweet 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#tolman-sweet-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Tolman Sweet Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 2 to Oct 16 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 Tolman Sweet Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Tolman Sweet 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 Tolman Sweet Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Tolman Sweet Apple are cooking and roasting (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), hard cider (7\/10), drying (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 Tolman Sweet Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Tolman Sweet 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":45156178395202,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/tolman-sweet-lookalike-pale-yellow-apple.jpg?v=1791616101"},{"product_id":"wise-monkey-apple","title":"Wise Monkey Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wise Monkey Apple is an apple tree we've estimated at zone 4 (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#wise-monkey-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew to us this year, so the notes below come from other growers and from MORP rather than from our own trees. We will update this once we have fruited it here.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWise Monkey is a seedling apple out of southwest Colorado that took a bronze medal for best tasting at the Gnarly Pippins pomological exhibition. That is a competition specifically for seedling apples from around the country, so it is a room full of people whose whole hobby is tasting apples. Placing there means something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was preserved and introduced through the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project in Cortez, Colorado. DNA work puts its parents as Rome crossed with Delicious. The medal came at the fourth annual Gnarly Pippins exhibition, held in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tasting notes from that competition are worth repeating because they are unusually specific. People called it juicy with a rich tartness, and picked out flavors of honey, banana, berry, cookie and grape. It ripens in the fall. With that combination of sugar, acid and aromatics it should do well fresh, hold up in pies, and bring something interesting to a cider blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn Bud 118 semi-dwarf rootstock. Figure roughly 15 feet between trees, or 18 feet if you want more room and less annual pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWise Monkey needs a pollenizer, and it blooms mid to late. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arkansas-black\"\u003eArkansas Black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/macoun-apple\"\u003eMacoun\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZone 4 for now. Neither Rome nor Delicious is a hardiness parent, so we are not expecting miracles out of it in a cold site. Give it a warm valley position until we have our own data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Wise Monkey itself. Photos of Wise Monkey are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Apples on tree 2011 G1” by George Chernilevsky, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Apples_on_tree_2011_G1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Wise Monkey Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Wise Monkey Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Wise Monkey Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 4 to 6 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-spy-apple\"\u003eNorthern Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Wise Monkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Wise Monkey Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's an estimate. Neither Rome nor Delicious is a hardiness parent, and we don't have our own winter data yet, so give it a warm valley position until we do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Wise Monkey Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#wise-monkey-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Wise Monkey Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Wise Monkey Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Wise Monkey Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Wise Monkey Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Since we haven't fruited it yet, those scores lean on the Gnarly Pippins tasting notes and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Wise Monkey Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Wise Monkey Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Wise Monkey Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45156180754498,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156180787266,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ripe-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791616440"},{"product_id":"concorde-pear","title":"Concorde Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concorde Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 950). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#concorde-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Concorde is about as self-fertile as pears get and will usually crop alone. A partner that blooms with it, such as Clapp's Favorite, can still add to the crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap® Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), perry (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Concorde, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcorde is an English pear from a cross of Conference and Comice. It's big, long-necked and sweet, and it's one of the better keepers among the pears we carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis describes it as \"a British cross of Conference x Comice,\" and it was introduced in England in the 1980s. The USDA's pear genebank in Corvallis, Oregon holds it and notes that it has fruited in Anchorage, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Purvis, \"fruits are large with long necks, excellent sweet flavor, and keep till April in cold storage.\" He also notes the skin is easily damaged in long-distance shipping, which matters more to commercial growers than to backyard ones. It's mainly a fresh-eating pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on OHxF 87 semi-dwarf rootstock, which runs about 75% the size of a full size pear. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 feet if you're committed to pruning, or up to 18 feet for more room. Purvis calls the tree upright to spreading, moderate in vigor, precocious, \"grower friendly,\" and says it spurs up well. On fire blight the sources disagree. Purvis has seen some resistance, while other references list it as susceptible, so don't count on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcorde is generally described as self-fertile and will usually crop alone, but we haven't confirmed it ourselves yet, so another pear that blooms with it is cheap insurance for a bigger crop. It blooms mid to mid-late, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurvis reports Concorde \"fully winter-hardy at -34F in SW Minnesota,\" and the USDA genebank records it fruiting in Anchorage. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1495612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 665740\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Concorde Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Concorde Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Concorde Pear is self-fertile, so a single tree can usually set fruit. A partner that blooms with it, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, can still add to the crop. Partners we carry include Clapp's Favorite Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e® Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Concorde Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it fully winter-hardy at -34°F in southwest Minnesota, and its record in Anchorage, not from our own winters yet. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Concorde Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 950. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#concorde-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Concorde Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Concorde Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Concorde Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Concorde Pear are cooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Concorde Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Concorde Pear ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45178208813122,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/concorde-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130543"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/reinette-simirenko-apples.jpg?v=1792788067","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/zone-4-fruit-for-winter-storage.oembed?page=2","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}