McIntosh Apple

Malus domestica 'McIntosh'

The state apple of Vermont, “Mac” is a red, sweet and tangy apple with a juicy, soft, and tender texture. It is great for snacking or making applesauce, apple butter, or cider. McIntosh is beloved for its classic autumnal New England taste. 

Produces fruit in 3-4 years

Bare root
Sourced from NY

Growing tips

• Planting apple trees on gentle slopes and/or on relative elevation allows cold or moist air to drain away from the plantings in a frost event. A 4-8% slope is ideal.
• Orchards require deep soil; at least 30 inches
• In June to July remove the smallest apples to encourage larger fruit
• Color indicates ripeness; the background color will be a green-turning to yellow when fully ripened. Taste to ensure ripeness. If starchy, leave a few more days.
• Pick apple by taking fruit in palm of hand, then lifting and twisting in one motion. Avoid pulling or yanking as you could pull the spur with next year's flower bud.
• Proper training and pruning of apple tree will maximize yield, productivity, and quality of the fruit
• Apply tree wrap in late autumn to prevent winter injury

Resources

Tree Fruit: Horticulture, Site Selection and Preparation in Vermont Apple Orchards, UVM Extension

Pruning and training apple trees, UMN Extension

Training and Pruning apple trees, UW Extension