Heirloom Apples/Cider Apples We can’t bring back the good old days, but in apples we can go one better! You now have access to the time proven varieties of Grandpa’s day in a compact, more manageable tree size. The flavours and even the names evoke memories of bygone days when life seemed less complicated. Watch for continued expansion of this section, as we search out and bring back old time favourites as customers request. 1-2m (3-6') bareroot trees
Photo courtesy of Cummins Nursery

Apple : CHIEFTAIN Large Semi-Dwarf (B118)

$49.95

In stock

How many trains can you miss and still get to where you want to go? A lot, according to Chieftain. This impressive apple was developed back in 1917 by Spencer Beach at Iowa State University, but for some reason was not released until 1966 and now after the 100 year mark, it is finally gaining the recognition it deserves. Chieftain seems to combine some of the best attributes of both it's prominent parents - Jonathan and Red Delicious. Under the deep, rosy red skin you'll find crisp, juicy flesh with a rich, sweet and honeyed flavour balanced by a spicy tang. Chieftain is an excellent, tasty apple for fresh eating or baking and will store for about 3 months. As an added bonus, the tree is easy to grow, crops well, and is highly resistant to scab and fireblight.

NEEDS A POLLENIZER | ZONE 3/4 | HARVEST: MID-LATE OCT.

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Rootstocks
G41 Dwarf
(2.5-3.1m/8-10ft)
G935 Small Semi-Dwarf
(3.25-4m/10-13ft)
G969 Small Semi-Dwarf
(3.25-4m/10-14ft)
G30 Semi-Dwarf
(3.6-5m/12-16ft)
G890 Semi-Dwarf
(3.6-5m/13-16ft)
Pollenator definitions
Some trees and many berry plants are SELF-FERTILE ̶means the insect pollinators or even the wind can pollinate the blossoms without the need of a second tree.
NEEDS A POLLENIZER ̶ means another tree of the same type or kind but a different variety must be blooming nearby at the same time.
EXAMPLE A Liberty apple and a Wealthy apple can cross-pollinate. Two trees of the same variety ie: ̶ 2 Wealthy apples, cannot cross pollinate because they are genetically identical.
Other trees are marked as SEMI-FERTILE. These will set fruit without a second tree. However they will often bear more, and sometimes larger fruit if another variety of the same kind of tree is nearby.
You can select 2 different trees of the same kind marked as NEEDS A POLLENIZER or plant one of those along with one SELF-FERTILE or one SEMI-FERTILE. Also consider ripening times ̶ a Goldrush apple might not start blooming before a Pristine is finished.

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Growing Tips

Apple Growing Tip

Besides selecting the most disease resistant varieties, there are
a few simple things to do to have better apples.

  • Fertilize under the outer edges of your trees. There are no feeder roots next to the trunk. A well fed tree stays healthier. (Adequate calcium in the soil also helps so that apples keep longer.)
  • Pick up fallen fruit and compost, dispose of, or feed to livestock (where possible).
  • Rake up leaves in the fall and compost them away from the orchard.
  • Prune trees to encourage light and air to reach the inside of the tree.
  • Provide bird nesting sites near your orchard. A variety of orchard companion type plants will attract native pollinator insects and also encourage birds to come and eat insect pests.

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