Franklin Cider Apple

Overview

Apparently immune to cedar apple rust, scab, and potentially fireblight, Franklin is a vigorous, precocious, and a reliably annual bearing apple that is excellent for cider but almost equally as impressive as a fresh eating apple.

Fruit Description

Franklin produces a small-medium, heavily russeted apple over a greenish background with some blushing.

Cider Qualities

Yielding a juice high in both sugar (17.5–19 Brix) and decent amounts of tannins, Franklin is crisp fresh eating and produces a bittersharp juice that holds its own as a varietal cider. Bust out the cider press and start experimenting by blending other zone 3 fruits in with a Franklin cider. We’ve experimented with the like of adding nanking cherries and it’s delicious!

Cold Hardiness

Can be grown in much of Montana, perhaps except the coldest places east of the divide that can see sub -50F temps.

Pollination

Plant with any of our cider apples for pollination.