Non-Typical Apple™

Now accepting orders for Fall 2022!

Orders placed now will ship out in Fall of 2022. Ship dates will vary by state but will run Aug-Oct with Northern states receiving trees in Aug-Sept and Southern states receiving them in Sept-Oct. Ship dates will coincide with the correct fall planting timing in your region. A shipping notification will be sent out prior to your order being shipped with tracking info so you will know when to expect it.

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 3-7.

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

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: 6-18in

Mycorrhizae

You've heard of inoculating plants like beans, peas, and clover, but did you know that you should be inoculating your trees too? That's right, trees have beneficial microbes that live on their roots just like other plants do. These microbes are called mycorrhizae. They grow in and on tree root systems and help them take up nutrients and water from the soil more effectively. Mycorrhizae increase root growth and root mass significantly which leads to healthier, more drought resistant, and faster growing plants. Many studies have shown the benefits of mycorrhizae for all kinds of plants including trees and we have seen it first hand in trees planted here on our farm. We don't plant any trees on our farm without mycorrhizae because of the difference it makes in drought tolerance, growth rate, and overall health of the tree. The mycorrhizae we sell is a strain known as Rhizophagus intraradices and is a beneficial soil fungus that forms a sponge-like mass on root systems helping them take up and store water and nutrients more effectively. It essentially increases the surface area of the root system. This mycorrhizae comes in the form of dry pellets that just need to be sprinkled in the hole before planting your tree. It’s an easy step that makes a huge difference in the success of your trees. Just sprinkle approximately one tablespoon into the hole just before planting your tree, then plant your tree as normal and the microbes will do the rest, easy as that. If you are ordering trees you can choose to have mycorrhizae included with them. Just select “Add mycorrhizae” from the dropdown menu above we will include enough inoculant in your order to treat all your trees with.