Non-Typical Apple™

Orders placed now are for Spring 2025 shipment

Spring trees are bare root and shipped dormant. These orders will ship at the proper time for planting in your region from Dec-May. See our Shipping Date Map to see when orders will ship to your state. 

Non-Typical Apple™

Non-Typical Apples produce a green/yellow 3.5-5.5in diameter apple that ripens in late Sept. and holds on the tree until late Oct. some may persist even longer. Ripening and drop dates may vary slightly from tree to tree as these are derived from wild type apples that have more variable habits than many common varieties. Apples are tart but with good flavor and are very attractive to all wildlife. Good for human consumption as well. Produces in just 4-6 years under good conditions. Non-Typical Apples have a long tap root that gives them great drought resistance, however they can withstand moist areas as well. 

Considered by many to be a "wimpy" tree apples sometimes get a bad rap from conservationists. Often, the reputation is accurate as many try to grow varieties suited for orchards, which usually results in failure in a conservation setting. Most varieties of apples need a lot of care and careful selection to find a variety suited to your specific conditions, location, and soil type. That can mean wading through dozens of varieties trying to find one that will do well on your land.

We like to keep it simple, and provide trees that will do well in a wide range of conditions without constant care. That's why right now we only sell one variety of apple, our Non-Typical Apple. There are dozens of varieties of apples out there to choose from however, we feel this one is the best suited to our customers and their goals. We have selected the apples for our Non-Typical Apples to be suited for the woods, not just an orchard.

Derived from wild trees, our Non-Typical Apples have among the best traits for a wildlife tree. They can grow in neglectful conditions with little to no care, they have few problems with disease or pests meaning there is little need to spray as with most other apples, and they can thrive and produce in a wide range of conditions and soil types. With most apple varieties, each variety is only suited to a few growing zones due to very specific chill hour requirements (hours spent below 45 degrees). Our Non-Typical Apples have no chill hour requirements meaning they will do great anywhere in zone 3-9.

Despite having no chill requirements, they are very cold hardy and are one of the few offerings we have that will survive zone 3.

You must protect your trees with one of our Tree Tubes to be covered under our Survival Guarantee. Please read the full details here

Growing zones: 3-9

Soil type: Acidic well drained, adapts well to most soils

pH: 5.5-7.5

Sun: Full sun

Pollination: Needs at least 2 trees for pollination 

Size when shipped: 16-36in