Fuji’s are sweeter and crisper than most varieties, making them popular as a fresh eating apple. Fuji’s have an extremely long shelf life and can hold under refrigeration for up to a year.
Fuji originated in Japan in the late 1930’s, but interestingly enough it is actually a cross between two American apples; the Red Delicious and the Virginia Ralls Janet. As of 2016, according to the US Apple Association, the Fuji was the third most popular apple in the US, behind the Red Delicious and Gala.
Fuji stays crisp after being picked, so it is popular as both a fresh eating apple and a dessert apple.
Fuji trees are hardy enough to handle Garrett County winters. We are offering them this year as a dwarf tree that will get about 10′ tall. Many of the dwarf trees you get in the store are on regular dwarf rootstocks. Regular dwarf rootstocks send their roots out along the surface of the ground instead of down deep into the ground. That makes the trees less sturdy than semi dwarfs or standard size trees, and they always require support throughout the life of the tree. What’s more, it makes them less able to withstand drought. We put this one on a double splice, combining two different rootstocks. That means you will get the great benefits of having a sturdy tree with deep roots. And yes, it did cost us more for designer rootstock of this nature, but you are worth it!
On a side note: We always recommend you use support on any dwarf tree simply because they don’t always have enough mass to their trunks and branches to hold up if they have a good crop. So, from that standpoint having deep roots doesn’t alleviate the need for support, but it does make a sturdier tree that is better able to withstand the elements and able to survive droughts that other dwarfs may not. Additionally, this rootstock enhances disease resistance and cold-hardiness.Â
Pollinators: GoldRush, Northern Spy, Nova Spy, Crimson Crisp, Golden Delicious, Wolf River, and Summer Rambo
