Chieftain apple tree

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• Picking season: Late
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 4

A quietly popular apple, similar to Delicious but with a better and more complex flavor.

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Chieftain apple trees for sale

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

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Next deliveries

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

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.

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
• PloidyDiploid
• Bearing regularityRegular
• Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
• WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
• Picking seasonLate
• UsesEating freshCulinary
• CroppingGood
• Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
• Flavor style (apples)Sweet/Sharp
• General resistanceGood
• FireblightSome resistance
• ScabSome resistance
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
• Country of originUnited States
• Period of origin1900 - 1949
• Fruit colorCrimson