Northwest Greening is an 1849 heirloom. In 1892 a bushel of Northwest Greening won first place in the Chicago World’s Fair.
The tree is known for its extreme cold-hardiness, with some trees documented to have survived temperatures to -50 F. It ripens in late September and is resistant to Fireblight and Cedar Apple Rust.
Northwest Greening apples are very large, with some reaching 5″ in diameter. They turn a light yellow when ripe. The old-timers were particular fond of this apple because it will hang on the tree well into the winter and can still be used for baking and sauces well after the snow flies.
Northwest Greening apples are great for sauce, pies, and other baking. But they are not a good fresh-eating apple. They have a mild sub-acid flavor that pairs well in desserts.
It is a late-season bloomer and makes a great pollinator for other apple trees in that bloom range, including Crimson Crisp.
