McIntosh apple tree

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

McIntosh (or Macintosh) is one of the great North American apples. Discovered in the early 19th century it rapidly became an important home and commercial apple variety in Canada and the north-eastern USA.

McIntosh is notable for its distinctive vinous flavor - reminiscent of sweet grapes - as well as its maroon skin color and its gleaming white juicy flesh.

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McIntosh apple trees for sale

• 1Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  Dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season
• 2Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season

How to grow

McIntosh is ideally suited for the climates of Ontario and Quebec and the north-eastern states of the USA. It is a reliable cropper and not troubled by cold winters.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

McIntosh was discovered in the early 19th century by John McIntosh, a farmer in Ontario, Canada. It is thought to be a seedling of Fameuse, the "snow apple" of Quebec.

The "Mac" has been widely used in apple breeding programs and has numerous descendants, all of which seem to inherit the characteristic maroon skin color and sweet flesh.

McIntosh characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group2
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonLate
• UsesEating freshCulinaryJuice
• Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
• General resistanceGood
• FireblightSome susceptibility
• Cedar apple rustSome resistance
• Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Country of originCanada
• Period of origin1800 - 1849
• Fruit colorCrimson

Similar varieties

• 
  Cortland
  Developed from McIntosh, Cortland is one of the most widely-grown Mac-style apples.
• 
  Enterprise
  Enterprise is a modern American disease-resistant apple, good for eating fresh and cooking.
• 
  Macoun
  Macoun is one of the best McIntosh-style apples, with the characteristic flowery vinous flavor.
• Northland Crab
  Northland Crab is a cold-hardy crab apple, ideal for crab-apple jelly.