Another apple created by the Purdue, Rutgers, and University of Illinois Agricultural Experimental Station in the 1980s, the Redfree apple was designed to be a disease resistant summer apple. Research says it is ripe about a week before Paulared and demonstrates an immunity to apple scab plus is very resistant to apple cedar rust; perfect for beginning gardeners or those starting an orchard. The medium sized apple has a high finish red color. Its flesh is creamy white, coarse, and crunchy with a medium, slightly tart taste. The skin is medium thick but not tough. Redfree apples do not ripen all at once, allowing someone to harvest the apples over a couple of weeks. Unusual among early apples, however, is its ability to keep for up to 2 months. Other notably disease resistant qualities of this apple includes field immunity to scab, field immunity to cedar apple rust, moderate immunity to fire blight and powdery mildew, and shows little response to European red mite. Plant this tree around other early apples like Gravenstein or Duchess. USDA Zone: 4-7 Mature Heights: B.9: 8-10' Tall at Maturity; Dwarf B.118: ~18-21' tall at Maturity; Semi-Dwarf Sun: Full Sun Bloom Group: 2, Early-Mid Season Ripening Time: Early September Pollination: Required Read more about the history and pedigree of the Redfree Apple here. Ships Spring 2026
