Apple Varieties:
Making the Right Choice
The apple industry is ever-changing, new varieties, excite both consumers and growers. With millions of dollars in capitalization costs at stake, making the right decision on varietal selection is essential.
Tree Connection works with the best nurseries in the West. We bring you great trees at competitive prices. As you review the varieties below, rest assured Tree Connection is here to service all your tree needs.
Work With Tree Connection
Tree Connection works with breeding programs across the globe to find the fruit that will be successful for you and your partners. As you review the varieties below, please remember that we are here to answer questions and put you together with the varieties that work best to meet your goals in the challenging years ahead. The information is provided for reference only.
Apple Varieties
The information is provided for reference only.
| Photo | Variety | Strain | Harvest Time | Details | Common Pollinizers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ambrosia® | Medium to large in size. The taste is sweet, the flesh is crisp, juicy and aromatic. Skin color is cream/yellow ground with distinctive 25 to 80% bright pink/red blush over-color and broad faint stripes. The flesh is white to cream in color. The fruit is very clean. An early October harvest timing. Moderately vigorous, and very productive and precocious. Tree is very upright and spurry. Growth in the first year after budding or grafting can be slow. Well suited to super spindle plantings. Productive and precocious. Needs prompt and adequate thinning to ensure fruit size. One to two picks. It’s very short harvest window of no more than 5 days means crews need to move efficiently to produce ideal fruit. | Indian Summer, Crimson Gold and Snowdrift | ||
 | Cosmic Crisp® | Harvest timing is near Red Delicious timing. | Cosmic Crisp is a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise apples. It is intended to have the texture and juiciness of the Honeycrisp, and the late-ripening behavior and long storage of the Enterprise. Cosmic Crisp is characterized mainly by uniformly colored dark red skin, dense firm flesh, and an improved shelf life. The look of the apple's light lenticels against its wine-red skin reminded focus groups of a galaxy against a night sky, which led to it being named the Cosmic Crisp. It is the first widely-grown apple variety developed in Washington. For more information on planting strategies and characteristics of Cosmic Crisp® visit; http://treefruit.wsu.edu/cosmic-crisp-characteristics-and-horticulture/ | Snowdrift, Indian Summer, Mt. Evereste and Mt. Blanc work well. | |
 | EverCrisp® (MAIA1) | MAIA-1 | 5-6 before Fuji | Introduced by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA), MAIA1 is an exciting cross of Fuji and Honeycrisp. The fruit looks and tastes like Fuji, but has the crunchy texture of Honeycrisp. MAIA1 is a very sweet, dense apple that stores exceptionally well in long-term storage. It harvests approximately one week before Fuji. Tree vigor is stronger than Honeycrisp. S Alleles are S1 S24. Bloom timing is approximately Golden Delicious. Pollen partners include Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Golden Delicious. Frettingham crab is half compatible. This is a self regulating variety so be cautious of chemical thinning. | Snowdrift or Indian Summer |
| EverCrisp® Mitchell | MAIA-Mitchell | 5-6 days before Fuji | emerged as an early coloring limb mutation, discovered by Bill Pitts in Wayne County, NY in 2018. This revolutionary chili red apple begins developing color up to 8 weeks earlier than MAIA-1. Each apple colors from 88% to full color with a stunning red hue and harvests approximately the same time as MAIA-1. | Snowdrift or Indian Summer |
 | Fuji | Auvil Fuji® | 5-6 weeks earlier than regular. | It has all the attributes of regular fuji, but harvests 5-6 weeks earlier. | |
 | Fuji | Aztec™ | Aztec™ a full-colored, blush-type that harvests late season with standard Fuji. The tree is healthy and vigorous, and the fruit exhibits the traditional, sweet flavor of Fuji. | Snowdrift, Crimson Gold and Indian Summer crabs, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp | |
 | Fuji | Banning Select | A higher coloring strain that harvests up to 10 days ahead of standard Fuji timing. | Snowdrift, Crimson Gold and Indian Summer crabs, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp | |
 | Fuji | September Wonder™ | Ripens approximately September 10th in Prescott, WA. | Discovered as a whole tree mutation of an early Fuji. The earliest true Fuji out on the market. Good size even though the apple has 6 weeks less growing season. Reddish blush skin color. Creamy white flesh with typical Fuji flavor. Keeping qualities are similar to Gala's. | |
 | Gala | BL-14™ | This is a very full coloring Gala strain that is a sport of Ultima developed by Brandon Lewis in East Wenatchee. It tends to run standard size to slightly small, but with deep solid color with an occasional stripe. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | Buckeye® | Buckeye® Gala is a full red Gala with a fine, red stripe. It colors to almost 100% red, even in full shade. Buckeye® colors early and completely, allowing harvest in one pick. Buckeye® colors extremely well in very hot climates that normally cannot color a full red Gala. It has a typical Gala tree with Gala fire blight sensitivity. Trees and limbs can revert to lower color. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | Foxtrot™ | Harvest time is about 1 day ahead of Buckeye™ | A full coloring sport about a box size larger than Buckeye® with darker more complete coloring. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith |
 | Gala | Gale® | Gale® was discovered by Wally Gale in his Malaga, Washington Royal Gala® orchard. This sport develops 90-100 percent full red color with deep red striping, allowing harvest in one or two pickings. The finish is very clean. Fruit size, firmness and eating quality are equal to other Gala sports. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | JH Gala™ | Very high coloring strain capable of single pick. Standard Gala harvest timing. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | Simmons cv | A full red Gala with a fine, red stripe. It colors to almost 100% red, even in full shade. Simmons cv colors early and completely, allowing harvest in one pick. Simmons cv colors extremely well in very hot climates that normally cannot color a full red Gala. It has a typical Gala tree with Gala fire blight sensitivity. Trees and limbs can revert to lower color. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | Ultima® | Ultima® a limb sport of Imperial Gala, discovered in Washington state. Ultima Gala® exhibits a very prominent stripe and, with good thinning practices, will size well for a Gala. | Indian Summer, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Fuji, Granny Smith | |
 | Gala | Wildfire™ | The fruit harvests three weeks before Simmons cv. | This is the earliest maturing Gala on the market. The fruit harvests three weeks before Simmons cv. and finishes with a bright, cherry red color. Fruit size is small to medium. The tree vigor is less than standard Gala. | Manchurian with Snowdrift or Manchurian with Mt. Evereste |
 | Granny Smith | Late maturing | This tart, crisp, and juicy flavored apple has good firm texture. Known for its outstanding keeping quality, excellent production and vigor. Granny Smith is used for both fresh pack and processing. The tree is extremely precocious and will set crops early in its life. This late maturing variety may not be suitable for growing areas with short seasons. | Indian Summer and Snowdrift crabs, Gala, Fuji, Cosmic Crisp | |
 | Honeycrisp | Firestorm™ | Ripens the same time as standard Honeycrisp. | This red strain of Honeycrisp was discovered as a limb sport of original Honeycrisp, and has shown improved red color over the original strain | Mt. Evereste and Crimson Gold crabs, Granny Smith, Gala |
 | Honeycrisp | Premier™ | Ripens about three weeks ahead of standard Honeycrisp. | It is not a highly colored strain, tending to resemble original Honeycrisp. As “summer” variety, it doesn’t hold particularly well in storage and will quickly be replaced by other new crop Honeycrisp strains during their respective harvests. | Snowdrift, Crimson Gold and Mt. Blanc. |
 | Honeycrisp | Royal Red® | Ripens the same time as standard Honeycrisp. | This Honeycrisp is a blush type selection and retains the crisp, juicy texture of its parent that so many have come to love. Beyond the high color factor, initial tests indicate that it’s improved storage characteristics may be equally important in improving pack-out. The tree can be less vigorous than its parent. | Mt. Evereste and Crimson Gold crabs, Granny Smith, Gala |
 | Honeycrisp | Roseland Red™ | Ripens the same time as standard Honeycrisp. | Roseland Red™ Honeycrisp is a beautiful red strain of Honeycrisp that colors exceptionally well in the heat and really shines in cooler climates. Harvests at same time as other high color strains of Honeycrisp. | Mt. Evereste and Crimson Gold crabs, Granny Smith, Gala |
 | Ludacrisp® (MAIA-L) | Early season | This early season apple has a “fruity” flavor with undertones of pineapple, strawberry, and grape and has an equal sweet-tart balance. The fruit size is large and the tree vigor is high. It consistently has a bright scarlet red skin. The flesh texture is crisp and breaking, approaching the quality of Honeycrisp. Ludacrisp harvests at the end of Golden Delicious. Fruit keeps in good condition until late April in normal storage. Growth habit is a tip bearer with very few spurs. Best apples are on tips of short dards, and all others should be thinned off. Tree vigor and fireblight susceptibility are about the same as Golden Delicious. | ||
 | Opal® 'UEB32642' | Harvest at the first of Fuji harvest | This smooth skinned yellow apple with nicely balanced and firm white flesh that is naturally resistant to browning and bruising was produced by crossing 'Golden Delicious' with 'Topaz'. Developed by the Institute of Experimental Botany in Prague and FruitSelect in 1999. | Mt. Evereste, Snowdrift and Crimson Gold crabs, Gala, Granny Smith | |
 | Pink Lady® Brand | Cripps Pink | Late October - Early November | Originally bred by John Cripps at the Western Australia Department of Agriculture by crossing the Lady Williams with a Golden Delicious; the result is a combination of the firm, long-storing property of Lady Williams with the sweetness and lack of storage scald of Golden. | Mt. Evereste and Mt. Blanc. |
 | Pink Lady® Brand | Rosy Glow | Standard Cripps Pink harvest timing | An unprotected strain of Cripps Pink in the US, this high coloring apple falls under the umbrella of the Cripps Pink and can be sold as Pink Lady®. It has a standard Cripps Pink harvest timing and stores well. May be sold under the Pink Lady® name if trademark royalties are paid. | Mt. Evereste and Mt. Blanc. |
 | Lady in Red | Standard Cripps Pink harvest timing | This natural mutation of Cripps Pink found in New Zealand had a deep red background with the signature “pink” overtone on the skin. May be sold under the Pink Lady® name if trademark royalties are paid. Such trademark royalties are above and beyond the cultivar royalties charged at the time of sale. | Mt. Evereste and Mt. Blanc. | |
 | Pink Lady® | PLBARB1 (Barnsby) cv USPP #21,606 Pink Lady® PLBARB1 cv. (Also known as Barnsby cv.) | 3-4 weeks earlier than Cripps Pink cv | A sport of Cripps Pink cv. that ripens 3-4 weeks earlier than its parent variety. While retaining the same sweet/tart flavor as Cripps Pink cv., the acidity levels in Pink Lady® PLBARB1 cv. are much less at the time of harvest allowing for the apples to be eaten directly off of the tree. PLBARB1 cv. must be sold under the Pink Lady® brand name. | Mt. Evereste because it’s early and Mt. Blanc to catch late king blooms. |
 | Pink Lady® | Ruby Pink USPP #16,725 | Standard Cripps Pink harvest timing | A high coloring sport of the original Cripps Pink cv. The apples develop 85-100% full pink color at the time of maturity and produces excellent yields. Pink Lady® Ruby Pink cv. has tested to show little to no internal browning after long term storage. Ruby Pink cv. must be sold under the Pink Lady® brand name. | Mt. Evereste and Mt. Blanc. |
 | Sunrise Magic® | A cross between a Splendour and Gala, the Sunrise Magic® apple has a crisp, sweet flavor with a moderate amount of acidity. The orange-red blush over a yellow background and conspicuous lenticels make it easily distinguishable from other cultivars. The fruit has outstanding texture, it is crisp and juicy, and loses very little firmness in storage or on the shelf. |
