Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees

• Check pollinators >

• Picking season: Early
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 2

An old culinary variety from Russia, popular in North America, and noted for its winter hardiness.

See our full description ...

See or add reviews

Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees for sale

Choose a size - Delivery in spring 2026.

• Dwarf, 1-year bare-root tree $39.95

  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  G.11 rootstock
  

  012345678910

All about Duchess of Oldenburg apple trees

Duchess of Oldenburg is a popular early-season apple, primarily used as a cooking apple although it can be eaten fresh when fully ripe. It is often known simply as "Duchess".

The apples should be ripe in early / mid August.

The key to its success in the kitchen is its tart acidic flavor which holds up well in cooking. Slices usually lose their shape during cooking, making Duchess of Oldenburg best suited for recipes that require apple sauce.

How to grow

Duchess of Oldenburg is a reliable variety, easy to grow, and produces apples from a young age. It is very winter-hardy and a great choice for the northern states. Disease-resistance is also excellent - except for fireblight, to which it is susceptible.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Duchess of Oldenburg originated in Russia in the early 18th century. It was introduced to the USA in the early 19th century, and quickly became popular in the northern states on account of its excellent winter hardiness.

Duchess of Oldenburg has been a mainstay of the University of Minnesota's cold-hardy apple breeding program, and features in the ancestry of many of the university's modern varieties - including Honeycrisp.

Duchess of Oldenburg characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group2
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonEarly
• UsesCulinaryTraditional cooker
• Keeping (of fruit)1 week
• General resistanceGood
• FireblightSome susceptibility
• ScabSome resistance
• Cedar apple rustSome resistance
• MildewSome resistance
• Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 3 (-40C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Country of originRussia
• Period of origin1750 - 1799

Similar varieties

• 
  Antonovka
  Antonovka is one of the most cold-hardy of all apple varieties.