Apple Malus x Domestica
Connell Red
(Brandon’s Corner - 1)
Connell Red apple is an improved sort of Fireside apple. While Fireside has a striped skin, Connell Red is a solid orange/red in color when fully ripe. The fruit can get very large and is excellent for fresh eating. Extremely cold hardy variety. Sweet and juicy flesh. Connell Red Apple ripens in early October
Mature Height: 15′
Mature Spread: 15′
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Form: Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Full Shade
Site Requirements: Well-drained Site
Flower: White
Bloom Period: Early-mid May
Foliage: Green
Fruit Notes: Large; solid red/orange when ripe
Suggested Uses: Best for fresh eating but can be used in pies as well. We offer this variety on M7 rootstock which is semi-dwarf and free-standing.
Connell Red has the quirky characteristic in that not all the fruit produce color well and reach full size. Often some of the fruits will remain small and refuse to color properly. Leave them on the tree for wildlife. This oddity is worth the trouble of growing this variety since the majority of the fruits will size up and can get exceptionally large.
Maintenance Tips:
Thinning the fruit of this variety to 12″ apart during June 10th-July 4th in SE WI can result in apples so big it is impossible to eat a whole one without assistance from family and friends. The fruit can grow to gigantic proportions if thinned properly. Wear a hard hat for safety when picking under this variety!
Like all apple varieties, annual pruning when dormant (late winter/early spring) is needed to promote better light penetration and air flow into the tree canopy. Learn about Training & Pruning Fruit Trees.
Pests/Problems:
A spray program or growing the fruit in bags (paper, plastic or cloth) is suggested to obtain a quality fruit crop. This variety has an exceptionally waxy skin that makes it less desirable to apple maggots. Find a spraying guide and more information on Best Pesticides For The Home Orchardist.
Connell Apple must be cross-pollinated with a crabapple or different apple variety to produce fruit.
Very productive, very hardy, large dark red high quality eating apple. Connell Red is a gorgeous Fireside type. A good late keeping apple for northern areas.
Cortland
(One east of hydrant… second row in Orchard)
One of the first McIntosh crosses, Cortland Apple Tree features that familiar vinous Mac flavor, crimson skin and bright white flesh with a slightly larger fruit than McIntosh. Cortland bears heavily each year and is very popular for fresh eating, especially in salads as the fruit does not brown quickly when exposed to air.
Latin Name: Malus domestica
Site and Soil: All apples like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: M-7 is considered a semi-dwarf rootstock. Regular apple trees grafted on M-7 rootstock wiill grow 12-16 ft. in height. Crabapples, Columnars, Espaliers, and Combination Apples will be smaller. M-7 is very hardy and adapted to most soils.
Considered a dwarf rootstock, Apple trees on M-26 typically grow 8-12 ft. in height and are usually spaced 8-12 ft. apart. Crabapples and Columnars will likely be smaller. M-26 induces early bearing, usually in 2-3 years after planting, and grows well in most soils, except very wet and poorly drained ones. On windy sites, trees grafted on M-26 may need staking.
Pollination Requirements: All apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set.
Hardiness: Cortland Apple Tree is hardy to minus 30° F or below.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 12-16 ft.
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: Early August
Yield: 30-50 lbs.
Fireside
One between Cottonwood and Elm… Outside row by Willow Pond
Ginger Gold
South and East Row of SunnyView… Possible Survivors
Golden Delicious
South row of patch
Gravenstein
One or two on north end of parking lot
Very juicy and flavorful, the Gravenstein Apple Tree is a classic, early ripening variety that makes the best cider and pies. Vigorous and reliable, Gravenstein produces abundant crops of large, red and green striped fruit. Gravenstein is not a good pollinizer for other Apple varieties.
Latin Name: Malus domestica
Site and Soil: All apples like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: M-7 is considered a semi-dwarf root stock. Regular apple trees grafted on M-7 root stock will grow 12-16 ft. in height. Crabapples, Columnars, Espaliers, and Combination Apples will be smaller. M-7 is very hardy and adapted to most soils.
Considered a dwarf rootstock, Apple trees on M-26 typically grow 8-12 ft. in height and are usually spaced 8-12 ft. apart. Crabapples and Columnars will likely be smaller. M-26 induces early bearing, usually in 2-3 years after planting, and grows well in most soils, except very wet and poorly drained ones. On windy sites, trees grafted on M-26 may need staking.
Pollination Requirements: All apples need another variety nearby for pollination. Neighboring trees often offer sufficient pollen for good fruit set.
Hardiness: Gravenstein is hardy to minus 30°F or below.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-12 ft. in height
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: Late July
Yield: 30-50 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Gravenstein can be affected by Apple Scab. Apple Scab is more prevalent in regions with wet springs, like we have in the Pacific Northwest. While it doesn’t seriously affect the eating quality of the fruit, it can cause black spots on the apples and foliage. Apple Scab can be controlled by sulfur and other sprays. Codling Moth can create wormy apples and aphids can damage the foliage of apple trees.
USDA Zone: 4
Harelred
First Row along Road in Orchard
Three between Elm and …Outside Row by Willow Pond
Harelson
Second row of orchard
The parentage of this variety - Malinda x Wealthy - was verified by DNA tests in 2004.(Malinda x Ben Davis) University of MN, 1923. Named after Charles Haralson, superintendent of the U of MN Fruit Breeding Farm. A natural semi-dwarf tree that produces medium-sized red fruit. Hard, crisp and tart. Good dual purpose apple. One of the most popular apples in MN. Often bears fruit the first year. Prone to biennial
Good baking, eating and cider apple. Flesh is crisp, juicy, firm. Mildly tart flavor, not acid. Holds its shape and texture in baking. Retains good flavor in keeping.
Honeycrisp
Along Parking Lo One on Southwest Corner of Cabin
Honeycrisp apple was developed by Dr. David Bedford at the University of Minnesota in 1960. After numerous trials it was released to the public in 1991. Honeycrisp was aptly named for its sweet and extremely juicy fruit that is often described as “explosively crisp”. This variety stays crisp for a very long time in cold storage and is known for its excellent keeping qualities. A premium quality apple for fresh use.
USDA Hardiness Zone to zone 4
Mature Height: 15′
Mature Spread: 15′
Growth Rate: Slow
Growth Form: Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Site Requirements: Well-drained site
Flower: White
Bloom Period: Early-mid May
Foliage: Green. Often shows yellow leaf margins during the heat of the summer on new growth.
Fall Color: Yellow
Fruit Notes: Very large, striped or mottled fruits that ripens somewhat unevenly mid-late September.
Wildlife Value:Apple trees are relished by deer, numerous small mammals, and insects.
Maintenance Tips: Annual pruning needed to promote better light penetration and air flow thru canopy for best colored and flavored fruits. Find more information on Training & Pruning Fruit Trees.
This variety is very resistant to apple scab. Honeycrisp has very low vigor, is somewhat biennial bearing and is slow to start bearing fruit. All of these reasons are why a premium price is charged for this apple at orchards and supermarkets. Despite these issues, it remains the most requested apple variety in the Midwest by apple consumers due to its wonderful flavor and explosively crisp flesh. It now sets a new standard for all eating apples.
Best fruit quality is obtained by growing in areas with cool climates. Although it performs well in the upper Midwest, New England area and anywhere where
Honeycrisp Apple must be cross-pollinated with a crabapple or different apple variety to produce fruit
Honeycrisp is a very attractive high quality apple with a predominantly sweet flavor. It lives up to its name - it is a remarkably crisp apple and one of the outstanding new apples of the late 20th century. The flavor is excellent, with a rich sweetness and good balancing acidity.
The apples are medium-to-large in size, with a light green/yellow background largely covered with red-orange flush occasionally with a hint of pink. They keep well in storage, and retain their unique crispness.
How to grow
Honeycrisp was developed to be cold-hardy and is a good variety for colder apple-growing regions, where its crispness and sweetness are enhanced - although it likes a warm fall season. It is one of the most cold-hardy of all apple varieties.
However don't think this means it won't grow in the southern states - Honeycrisp has a wide climate range and seems quite at home in warmer zones. Although we normally suggest up to Zone 8, it can be grown in even warmer zones such as southern California.
The well-balanced flavor can become bland if the tree is allowed to over-crop - and Honeycrisp does tend to over-crop if given a chance. This can also lead to pre-harvest drop, a particular issue with Honeycrisp in warmer areas. So whilst this is not a tree that requires thinning if outright production is your goal, if you want the best flavor then thin the fruitlets as soon as they have formed.
Honeycrisp is known for its excellent scab-resistance. It appears to have some resistance to fireblight as well, but if you are in a fireblight area the University of Minnesotal recommends using fireblight-resistant rootstocks, such as the Geneva series.
It is a good idea to let Honeycrisp trees reach their full size before allowing cropping to begin, so remove any fruitlets that might form in the early years.
Historical details
Honeycrisp was introduced in the 1990s by the University of Minnesota. It is related to Keepsake and distantly related to Northern Spy, a traditional American cold-hardy apple variety.
Honeycrisp characteristics
Using
Picking season: Late
Uses: Eating fresh
Cropping: Good
Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
Flavor style (apples): Sweeter
Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
Growing
Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Pollination group: 4
Pollinating others: Average
Bearing regularity: Regular
Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
General resistance: Good
Cedar apple rust: Some susceptibility
Fireblight: Some resistance
Mildew: Some susceptibility
Scab: Very resistant
Bitter pit: Some susceptibility
Country of origin: United States
Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
Honeygold
(1... By Drill 2... On corner of Front Lawn)
Hardy substitute for Golden Delicious developed especially for cold northern areas. Golden Delicious flavor, Haralson hardiness. Medium to large golden to greenish fruit with very smooth finish and reddish bronze blush. Flavor is sweeter and more bland than Golden Delicious. High quality. Superior storage qualities.
Golden ‘Delicious’ x ‘Haralson’) University of MN, 1969. Medium to large, yellow apple. Fruit is crisp, juicy and sweet. Excellent for eating as well as cooking. Medium storage life. Similar to Golden ‘Delicious’, but hardier. Pahls
Kindercrisp
Liberty
(North Row of Patch Possible trees on South end of East Row in Sunnyview Majority of Apple Trees in Strawpile Patch)
Liberty Apple is a very disease resistant apple that ripens in early October. The skin color is red with a yellow background. The flesh is slightly tart. Much sought after by home apple growers as it was bred to have resistance to apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fireblight and mildew.
Core Characteristics
Zone - 4
Mature Height: 15′
Mature Spread: 15′
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Form: Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Site Requirements: Well-drained site
Flower: White
Bloom Period: Early-mid May
Fruit Notes: Red with yellow background; slightly tart
Suggested Uses:We offer this variety on M7 rootstock which is semi-dwarf and free-standing. This variety is primarily for fresh use. The flavor does change with age and many prefer to store it for a month before using for fresh use.
Liberty Apple was developed and introduced by the Geneva Experiment Station in New York. It was released in 1972. Part of its parentage involves the famous Macoun apple.
Liberty Apple must be cross-pollinated with a crabapple or different apple variety to produce fruit
Picking season: Late
Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Uses: Eating fresh , Juice
Liberty is a modern apple variety, developed for disease resistance - it has very good resistance to scab, fireblight and cedar apple rust. Liberty's disease resistance comes partly from a crab apple variety called Malus floribunda which is one of its distant ancestors, but it gets its clean well-balanced flavor from its immediate parent Macoun and grand-parent McIntosh. It also has the bright white flesh and sweet "vinous" flavor which is a characteristic of almost all apples which are descended from McIntosh, but with perhaps a bit more tartness. Overall the flavor can be considered first class with no compromise for being disease resistant. Although primarily an apple for eating fresh, it can also be used for applesauce - which will be pink if you leave some of the skin on.
Lodi
North and West Row in Sunnyview
McIntosh
Two in Laura’s Corner
Snow Sweet
One at Southeast Corner of Cabin
Sweet Sixteen
Two in Laura’s Corner
Zestar
Apple, Crab Malus
Prairie Fire
Plum Prunus
Black Ice
BlackIce is a cross between a cherry plum and a conventional Japanese dessert plum resulting in large fruit with superior winter hardiness and an early ripening date. Fruit size and yield is comparable to popular conventional cultivars, however, the ripening date is 2-4 weeks earlier. Has been shown to be hardy and produce fruit in USDA zone 3b. Naturally compact growth habit makes it easy to manage. Use ‘La Crescent’, ‘Waneta’ or American Plum for pollination.