Sweet Sixteen is one of the best apple varieties for the north country - when grown on suitable rootstocks it is a reliable cropper in zone 4 and even zone 3.
Sweet Sixteen inherits its cold-hardiness from both its parents. Northern Spy is a well-known cold-hardy apple, and it is also descended from a more obscure north country variety called Malinda.
The bright red apples have a high quality, fruity flavor, primarily sweet but with some acidity and complexity. They keep fairly well in natural cold storage or a fridge.
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Sweet Sixteen is an easy variety to grow and very cold-hardy.
It has reasonable resistance to scab, fireblight and cedar apple rust, and is naturally vigorous.
It comes into bearing within a few years.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
Sweet 16 was developed by the University of Minnesota in the 1970s. It is descended from Northern Spy crossed with a seedling of Malinda.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.