Zestar! apple tree

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• Picking season: Early
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 1

A crisp attractive early-season apple which stores well.

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Zestar! apple trees for sale

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

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

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Next deliveries

We are now accepting pre-orders for the spring 2024 planting season.

Zestar! is an attractive early-season apple, which can usually be picked in late August / early September. Unlike many early varieties it is a notably crisp apple and can be stored for at least a month in the fridge.

It was developed by the University of Minnesota, and is a good choice for areas with cold winters.

How to grow

Zestar! is generally an easy variety to grow, but it has an unusually early bloom which can make pollination tricky. Use our pollination checker to find suitable pollination partners or choose an early-flowering crab-apple such as Wickson. It is also one of the first apple varieties to come out of winter dormancy - you will notice the buds starting to swell.

Zestar! should be hardy to zone 4, on suitable cold-hardy rootstocks.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Developed by the University of Minnesota and released in 1999.

Zestar! characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group1
• Pollinating othersAverage
• PloidyDiploid
• Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
• WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
• Picking seasonEarly
• UsesEating fresh
• CroppingGood
• Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
• Flavor style (apples)Sweet/Sharp
• General resistanceAverage
• FireblightSome resistance
• ScabVery susceptible
• Cedar apple rustSome resistance
• MildewSome resistance
• Cold hardiness (USDA)(4) -30F / -34C
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Country of originUnited States
• Period of origin1950 - 1999
• Fruit colorGreen / Red