Westcot Apricot Seedling (Bundle of 2)

These are seedlings, so every tree is a little different. What's below describes the parent, Westcot, and we don't have long-term data from our own seedlings yet.

Overview

These are seedlings of Westcot, one of the hardiest named apricots. Apricots don't come exactly true from seed, so each one is a new tree with Westcot as the mother.

Origin and History

Westcot was introduced in 1982 by Agriculture Canada at Morden, Manitoba. It's a sister of Morden 604, from the same Scout and McClure cross.

Fruit and Uses

Bob Purvis describes Westcot as sweet (18° Brix), with yellow-orange skin, "good for fresh eating and firm enough to can," and reports that two 9-year-old trees in southwest Minnesota averaged 200 pounds each in 2010. In Missoula it ripens from the last week of July to the first week of August. Seed-grown apricots vary in quality, so your seedlings may be better or worse than the parent.

Growth Habit and Spacing

These are seedlings on their own roots, which makes them full size apricots that can reach 20 to 25 feet unpruned. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, or more if you want less pruning.

Pollination

Westcot is self-fertile, and since each seedling in the bundle is genetically different, they'll also pollenize each other for better fruit set.

Cold Hardiness

Westcot has survived -48F near Bemidji, Minnesota according to Bob Purvis, and Cummins says it's hardy "clear through zone 3 into lower 2." Seedlings will vary. We list these at 2b.