Product Snapshot

If You Purchased Last Year

If you purchased trees from our sale last year please note that some of the varieties we had last year are on different rootstalks this year. This will change the attributes of those trees from the ones purchased last year. In some cases, it was to give buyers more variety, and in others, it was because we were unable to get the tree on the other rootstalk. Of note is the following:

Yellow Transparent this year is a tall-semi dwarf. Last year it was a shorter semi-dwarf.

Long John Plum and Bluebyrd Plum – Long John was on a rootstalk that grows well in heavy clay soil last year. We switched it to one that grows better in sandy soil or loam. And, we put Bluebyrd on the clay soil rootstalk. Our thinking is that folks who bought Long John last year for this purpose can pair it with Bluebyrd this year. Don’t ignore the heavy clay vs sandy soil notations. These rootstalks won’t do well if they are planted in the wrong soil type.

Arkansas Black – is on EMLA 7 this year because that is the only way we could get it. This year it is a shorter semi dwarf. Last year it was a tall semi dwarf. The one this year will need support for the life of the tree.

 Crimson Crisp – the Crimson Crisp trees this year will grow about 2′ taller than the ones last year.

Northern Spy – the Northern Spy trees this year will grow to be about 3′ shorter than the ones last year.

Kristen Sweet Cherry – will grow to be significantly shorter than the ones last year. This year’s trees would be considered dwarf, whereas last year, they were semi-dwarf. If you don’t see them listed in our store, it means we didn’t get them. Kristen is in very high demand. 

Ripening Dates

Apples

  • Yellow Transparent Apple – late July to early August
  • Wolf River Apple – Early to mid-August
  • Summer Rambo Apple – Late August to September
  • Jonaprince – Early September
  • Northwest Greening – Mid to late September
  • JonaMac – Mid to late September
  • Crimson Crisp – Mid September to mid October
  • Northern Spy Apple – Mid to late October
  • Nova Spy Apple – End October
  • Smokehouse – Mid to late October
  • Arkansas Black – Late October

Other Fruits

  • Montmorency Cherry – Late June
  • Stardust Sweet Cherry – Mid July
  • Veteran Peach – Early August
  • Contender Peach – August
  • Reliable Peach – August
  • Bartlett Pear -End July – September
  • Red Bartlett Pear – August – September
  • Potomac Pear – August – September
  • Shenandoah Pear – Mid September
  • Stanley Plum – Early September
  • Bluebyrd – Plum – Beginning September
  •  Long John Plum – September
A large bunch of yellow and red peaches on a branch against a bright blue sky

Complementary Pollinators

Apples

These apples are Late and Mid-Season Bloomers and will pollinate each other.

  • Northern Spy
  • Nova Spy
  • Wolf River
  • Smokehouse
  • Arkansas Black
  • Northwest Greening
  • Crimson Crisp
  • Summer Rambo

Sold Last Year – GoldRush, Fuji, Golden Delicious

These apples are Early and Mid-Season Bloomers and will pollinate each other.

  • Smokehouse
  • Jonamac
  • Wiltons Red Jonaprince
  • Yellow Transparent
  • Summer Rambo

Sold last year – Freedom, Fuji, Golden Delicious

Redish Black cherries hanging from a luscious green branch.

Pears

All of the pear varieties that we are offering will pollinate each other. 

Peaches

All of the peach varieties that we are offering are self-pollinating but will benefit from pollination from any of the other peaches we are offering.

Plums

Cherries

All of the plum varieties that we are offering a self-pollinating but will benefit from pollination from any of the other peaches we are offering.

Montmorency and Stardust are self-pollinating

Kristen needs a pollinator and can be pollinated by Montmorency or Stardust.

Mature Tree Size

18 Foot to 20 Foot - Semi Dwarf

  • Nova Spy Apple
  • Northwest Greening Apple
  • Yellow Transparent Apple
  • Wolf River Apple
  • Crimson Crisp Apple 
  • Long John Plum
A clump of red apples hanging from a tree

15 Foot to 18 Foot - Short Semi-Dwarf

  • Arkansas Black Apple
  • Smokehouse Apple
  • Jonamac Apple
  • Northern Spy Apple
  • Summer Rambo Apple
  • Bluebyrd Plum
  • Bartlett Pear
  • Potomac Pear
  • Red Bartlett Pear

10 Foot to 12 Foot - Dwarf

  • Wiltons Red Jonaprince
  • Stardust Sweet Cherry
  • Kristen Sweet Cherry

Naturally Dwarfing Standard

  • Montmorency Cherry – 15 Foot
  • Contender Peach – 12 Foot to 15 Foot
  • Veteran Peach – 10 Foot to 12 Foot
  • Reliance Peach – 12 Foot to 15 Foot

Cold Hardiness

Extremely Cold Hardy - Zone 4 or below

  • Northern Spy Apple
  • Nova Spy Apple
  • Summer Rambo Apple
  • Yellow Transparent Apple
  • Wolf River Apple
  • Wilton’s Red Jonaprince Apple
  • Northwest Greening Apple – (hardy to 50 below F)
  • Arkansas Black Apple
  • Smokehouse Apple – (hardy to 50 below F)
  • Jonamac – (hardy to 50 below F)
  • Montmorency Cherry
  • Kristen Sweet Cherry
  • Long John Plum
  • Contender Peach
  • Reliance Peach
  • Veteran Peach
  • Bartlett Pear
  • Potomac Pear
  • Red Bartlett Pear

Cold Hardy Enough for Garrett County But Don't Plant in a Frost Pocket - Zone 5a

  • Crimson Crisp Apple
  • Bluebyrd Plum
  • Kenmore Plum
  • Stardust Sweet Cherry
  • Stanley Plum (is listed as zone 5a but has traditionally handled zone 4 temperatures)
A cluster of dusty blue plums with one cut open to reveal amber colored flesh

Disease Resistance

Following is a listing of the disease resistance genetics of each apple cultivar for Fire Blight, Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew, and Cedar Apple Rust. Information is from Cornell University Susceptibility Rankings. It should be noted that this list of Disease Resistance was compiled by various breeders and organizations that may have had differing results with a specific cultivar. And as is particularly the case with heirlooms, disease resistance may vary in the results depending upon whether the trial happened in the area to which the tree is naturalized.

Heirloom varieties specific to a region have built immunity to various bacteria and virus’ in that region making them less susceptible to tree diseases than newer cultivars. However, that can vary from tree to tree. So, there is no guarantee. Some heirlooms were abandoned due to issues with diseases.

All of the heirlooms we are carrying are ones known to be naturalized in our area and they have had a history of successful growth in the Garrett County and surrounding region. Some of them may be susceptible to some diseases, which is a risk often associated with the purchase of heirlooms.

All of this is basically to say that with the newer cultivars, the list is probably pretty accurate. With the heirlooms, they may, or may not, have more disease resistance than is listed. 

  • Northern Spy – Resistant to Fire Blight. Very old heirloom.
  • Nova Spy – Resistant to Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew
  • Yellow Transparent – Resistant to Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew, and Cedar Apple Rust
  • Crimson Crisp – Resistant to Apple Scab, Fire Blight, Powdery Mildew
  • Wolf River – Resistant to Fire Blight, Apple Scab, and Powder Mildew
  • Summer Rambo – Very old (1500’s) heirloom, no resistance documented
  • Northwest Greening – Fire Blight. Very old heirloom
  • Jonamac –  Resistant to Fire Blight and Cedar Apple Rust
  • Johnaprince – Resistant to Fire Blight and Cedar Apple Rust
  • Smokehouse – Resistant to Cedar Apple Rust
  • Arkansas Black – Resistant to Fire Blight and Powdery Mildew
  • Stanley Plum – Has no disease resistance and is very susceptible to Black Knot.
  • Bluebyrd Plum – Resistant to Black Knot, Plum Pox Virus, and Brown Rot.
  • Long John Plum – Resistant to Black Knot. This particular Long John tree can be planted in heavy clay soil due to its specialty rootstock.
  • Bartlett Pear – Is highly susceptible to diseases.
  • Red Bartlett Pear – is susceptible to diseases.
  • Potomac Pear – Resistant to Fire Blight
  • Veteran Peach – Resistant to Clasterosporia, Cytosporosis, Peach Leaf Curl, Bactrial Spot, Powdery Mildew, and Brown Rot. Veteran is known as a good choice for a disease resistant peach.
  • Contender Peach – Has good disease resistance, including Bacterial Leaf Spot, Leaf Curl, and Brown Rot.
  • Reliance Peach – Resistant to Leaf Curl and Bacterial Spot.
  • Montmorency Cherry – Has good disease resistance but is susceptible to Cherry Leaf Spot
A large bunch of little green pears with a red blush hanging on a tree limb
Plum Diseases

Mature Tree Support Needs

Free Standing Once Trunk Reaches 4"

This means the tree would not need support under normal conditions. If it is in an area of high wind, or other factors that could put an abnormal strain on the trunk, it may still need to be supported.

Needs Support for Life of Tree

Some trees do not put down deep root systems. Or the trunk may not be as sturdy. In this event, the tree would need supported with stakes or some other support system for the life of the tree. Additionally, all dwarf trees should have support for the life of the tree because fruit production may be heavier than the tree can support.

  • Wilton’s Red Jonaprince
  • Crimson Crisp
  • Northwest Greening
  • Nova Spy
  • Wolf River
  • Yellow Transparent
  • Jonamac
  • Northern Spy
  • Bailey Peach
  • Reliance Peach
  • Veteran Peach
  • Montmorency Cherry
  • Stardust Cherry
  • Kristen Cherry
  • Bartlett Pear
  • Potomac Pear
  • Red Bartlett Pear
  • Bluebyrd Plum
  • Stanley Plum
  • Long John Plum
  • Arkansas Black – EMLA 7
  • Smokehouse – EMLA 7
  • Summer Rambo – EMLA 7
Bright red apples on a tree

Did you know that many of the trees sold in chain stores are on EMLA 7 rootstock? It has been the standard for semi-dwarf trees within chain tree sales for a very long time. The reason is because it is less expensive, it works in most soil types, and it produces a tree size that is popular with urban backyard growers. However, EMLA 7 doesn’t put down as deep of roots as many other rootstocks, and it is prone to breakage of the trunk. Therefore, even though most stores don’t tell you this, the tree should have some type of support for the life of the tree even if the trunk diameter seems like it should be sufficient to support the tree.

Whenever possible, we put our semi-dwarf trees that would be similar in size to EMLA 7 on a more expensive designer rootstock that has deeper roots and a sturdier trunk. If you are wondering if we sacrificed disease resistance and cold tolerance, the answer is “no”. Our designer rootstocks are actually even more cold hardy and have just as good of disease resistance.

With this said, some of our trees are on EMLA 7 simply because we had no choice. Since so many tree distributors want EMLA 7, some of the rarer varieties only come on that rootstalk. Just be aware that you will need some sort of support for these trees for the life of the tree, and in times of drought, you will need to water them more. 

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