Apple (Malus) ‘Wolf River’ Semi-dwarf 5 Gal

Apple 'Wolf River'
Malus 'Wolf River'

An Appalachian Favorite! GIANT fruits - up to 1 lb. each! Soft, tender, creamy white flesh. Good for fresh eating but excellent cooked. Makes incredible apple butter, an exceptional dried fruit. 

Mid-season bloomer, late harvest. Fruit tastes better after a frost. 1000 chill hours. 

Disease resistances: Very resistant to scab and mildew, some disease resistance to canker, cedar apple rust, and fireblight. Note that sources vary on just how resistant they think the trees are though, likely due to differences in growing environments.

History: Heirloom apple from 1870s Wisconsin. in 1856, farmer William Springer reportedly moved from Quebec, Canada to Fremont Wisconsin, right near the Wolf River. It is suspected that he bought and planted seeds of remarkably resilient Alexander apples from Russia, and that 'Wolf River' is one of those seeds. Wolf River is widely popular in Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially for old timers, homesteaders, and those focused on self-sufficiency. By the 1940s, these apples were widely grown in Western North Carolina, especially in nearby Henderson County. This is one of those famous (in some circles) heirloom apples with a dedicated fan club.

Usage Notes: It is easy in our modern era with ample electricity to downplay the importance of dried fruit. However for thousands of years it has been the #1 method that people worldwide have enjoyed fruit out of season. Don't sleep on Wolf River for drying!

Zones 3-8. Cold hardy to -40F.