Here is an assortment of today's best scab-resistant apples! These apple varieties are inherently immune to apple scab, a major disease of fruit and foliage that requires several fungicide applications on non-resistant varieties to control. Hence, orchardists already growing scab-resistant apples are adopting a form of 'biological' control to save money and reduce pesticide use. We encourage you to ask for some of these tasty varieties on your next orchard visit!
is a late summer apple that matures during the peak of sweet corn season! William's Pride is a maroon-red, medium-large apple with crisp, fall-like flavor. Trees are annually productive and easy to grow. Williams Pride was developed by the cooperative breeding program (PRI) of Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations. For that early start on the apple season, ask for William's Pride on your next farm stand visit.
is another late summer apple with fall-like flavor. Also a PRI introduction, Redfree is a medium sized fruit, maturing in late August with a solid, bright red blush. Redfree has a tip-bearing habit, similar to Cortland, and is annually productive. We always pick Redfree just before the first of September- what a fine fresh fruit addition to that end of summer Labor Day picnic!
third in a series of early apples released by PRI (see Williams Pride and Redfree, above), is a large, glossy-red apple with good, full-flavored dessert quality. Vigorous and upright, Dayton trees set a moderate crop of fruit annually. Dayton ripens during the first week in September, making it an ideal candidate for those who can't wait for the first true Fall apples!
is another PRI introduction, and kicks off the true start of the Fall harvest, ripening with the first McIntosh during mid-September. An attractive, medium sized fruit, Prima is reported to make an excellent addition to applesauce. Prima's tree growth habit- moderately vigorous, spreading and sturdy- is especially desirable. For your next fresh apple treat, be sure and enjoy Prima's unique, fruity flavor- and don't forget to include Prima in that first batch of home-made applesauce!
is an apple selection introduced by the Canadian Department Agricultural Research Station in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Nova Easygro apples are produced on a non-vigorous tree with weak, thin wood. Nova Easygro apples, however, are nicely distributed throughout the tree and produced annually. Ripening during the peak of the McIntosh harvest (mid-late September), Nova Easygro fruit are picked with a dull-red, striped overcast on a green background. Nova Easygro flavor is very good- firm, crunchy, sweet and not tart- and fruit flesh is snow white. Unlike the early scab-resistant apples mentioned above, Nova Easygro keeps well for several months under refrigeration. Those desiring a sweet- not tart, Fall apple, are encouraged to try Nova Easygro!
is another PRI introduction that we suspect is more commonly grown in the mid-West. Jonafree is very firm- almost 'hard' compared to McIntosh- with pale yellow, juicy flesh that closely resembles Jonathan. Although Jonafree apples have a tendency to be small, they are very attractive- nearly 100% bright red skin with a cheek of green-yellow. Trees are moderately vigorous, annually productive, and must be carefully pruned to avoid producing too many small, green apples. If you're from the mid-West, and like Jonathan, then Jonafree is the scab-resistant apple for you!
is arguably the premier scab-resistant apple; we suspect there are more Liberty being grown in the Northeast than all other scab-resistant varieties combined! And for good reason, because Liberty has ranked consistently high in consumer taste tests, and the trees are extremely productive, often out-yielding McIntosh and Empire when grown side by side. Liberty is a product of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva fruit breeding program, resulting from a cross made with Macoun- a scarce 'cult' apple that is prized for its outstanding flavor. That Macoun heritage shines through in Liberty's flavor and appearance. When harvested just before Empire, Liberty has a Fall apple flavor reminiscent of fresh squeezed cider that just can't be beat! And the fruit is very attractive- a bright red blush with hints of striping- although somewhat irregular in shape. Although best eaten fresh, Liberty does store well for several months, and then makes an excellent pie. Look for Liberty beside McIntosh and Empire at you local orchard, farm-stand, or grocery this Fall. If you can't find it, be sure and ask for 'Liberty'!
is perhaps the 'ugly duckling' among this group of scab-resistant apples, however, Freedom is certainly not without merit. Like Liberty, Freedom originated from the Cornell-Geneva breeding program in New York state. Their focus is on breeding fruit with multiple disease-resistance, hence Freedom is 100% immune to apple scab, and is highly resistant to other apple diseases too. Although not particularly attractive- Freedom apples are bronze-red striped on a yellow-green background. Fruit is large, and produced annually on well-thinned trees. Freedom trees are very vigorous, however, and require considerable pruning effort to maintain a productive tree shape and promote good fruit coloring. Although somewhat lacking in fresh fruit flavor, the flesh is firm, juicy and nearly crisp. Harvested in early October, Freedom makes a fine addition to baked goods, and juice or cider.
If you can not find any of these scab-resistant apples at your local
orchard or farm-stand, consider growing your own. Suggested nursery sources for trees
include:
Stark Bro's Nurseries and Orchards Co., Louisiana, MO 63353
Miller Nurseries, 5060 West Lake Rd., Canandaigua, NY 14424
New York State Fruit Testing Cooperative, P.O. Box 462, Geneva, NY 14456
Adams County Nursery, Inc., P.O. Box 108, Aspers, PA 17304
Hilltop Nurseries, P.O. Box 578, 60395 C.R. 681, Hartford, MI 49057
A publication of the Northeast Sustainable Apple Project, a cooperative research and education effort of the Universities of Vermont and Massachusetts, Cornell University, Rutgers University, and the Rodale Institute Research Center, and funded by USDA/EPA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and Agriculture in Concert with the Environment Programs.