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Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Chieftain apple tree

Chieftain
Chieftain is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 4

Chieftain is one of those apples that is not particularly well-known, but is popular with those that grow it. It is a cross between two classic American apples, Jonathan and Delicious, and the result is a nicely-balanced apple which is still sweet like Delicious but has a bit more interesting tartness to its flavor.

Chieftain apple trees for sale

Our inventory is up to date, you can pre-order now for the spring 2024 planting season.

  • Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    G.890 rootstock

How to grow

Chieftain is reliable and easy to grow and has some natural resistance to scab and fireblight.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Developed at Iowa State University at the start of the 20th century, but not released until 1966.

Chieftain characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Pollination group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Picking seasonLate
  • UsesEating freshCulinary
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
  • General resistanceGood
  • FireblightSome resistance
  • ScabSome resistance
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Fruit colorCrimson