FrostbiteTM apple tree

• Check pollinators >

• Picking season: Late
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 3

Frostbite is an unusual apple, smaller than most modern varieties, and with a very different intense sweet flavor.

It is also one of the most cold-hardy of all apple varieties, and can be grown throughout zone 4 and with care in zone 3 (using cold-hardy rootstocks).

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Frostbite apple trees for sale

You can pre-order now for spring 2025

• 1Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $39.30
  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  G.11 rootstock
  

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• 2Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $39.30
  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season

History

Frostbite was developed by the University of Minnesota in 1921, but not trademarked and released until 2008. For most of the intervening period it was relatively unknown outside of the university, where it was referred to simply as MN 447. However it has played a key role in the University of Minnesota's long-term apple breeding program, and contributed its excellent cold-hardiness to several other important varieties - it is a parent of Keepsake and Sweet Sixteen, and grandparent of Honeycrisp.

Frostbite characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group3
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonLate
• UsesEating freshJuice
• Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
• General resistanceAverage
• Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 3 (-40C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
• Country of originUnited States
• Period of origin1900 - 1949
• Flesh colourCream
• Fruit colorRed - dark

Similar varieties

• 
  Honeycrisp
  Honeycrisp is a cold-hardy disease-resistant apple - it shows just how good modern apples have become.
• 
  Keepsake
  A high-quality late-season eating apple, keeps well, and at its best in mid-winter.
• 
  Sweet Sixteen
  Sweet 16 is a sweet-flavored apple, with good cold hardiness.