Discovered simultaneously in Kansas and Ohio in the 1870s as the most desirable sport of the much older Winesap apple tree. This particular variant displayed desirable characteristics for commercial success and is now the most widely grown Winesap variant in the US. It is well adapted to grow across many soil types and stores well. The tree itself is moderately vigorous and spreading with a somewhat open form. This makes it a large tree on any rootstock. The smaller branches are long and irregularly crooked making it a challenging pruner. It is a terminal bud bearer with large, broad, prominent, plump flowers. Despite these superior flowering characteristics, the tree is a triploid; it will need two additional trees nearby for pollination but cannot itself pollinate other apple trees in return. Regarding these growing traits, it is an easy to grow apple tree with moderate disease resistance to apple cedar rust and is great for woodland areas and food plots. The fruit is irregularly shaped almost like a heart. It is large, nearly Wolf River in size. Its skin is nearly uniformly covered in a matte-garnet finish that almost makes it dull to the eyes. The thicker skin aids in disease resistance. Its flesh is yellow to cream in color, firm, moderately fine grained, tender yet crispy, breaking, juicy (great as a sweet base for cider), and aromatic with a pleasant subacid flavor. USDA Zone: 4-9 Mature Heights: M.7: ~15-17'; Semi-Dwarf M.111: ~18-21'; Semi-Dwarf Antonovka: 25'+ Standard Sun: Full Sun Bloom Group: 2, Early Mid Season Ripening Time: Early October Pollination: Required- Tree is Triploid so two other apple pollinators are required to fruit. Cider Profile: Known for it's lovely wine like flavor notes with rustic, sharp flavor Brix: Range estimates vary around 13% M.7 Rootstock Traits M.111 Rootstock Characteristics Antonovka Rootstock Characteristics
