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Trained Trees banner logoPre-trained fruit trees from Keepers Nursery in association with Orange Pippin

McIntosh

McIntosh apples
McIntosh is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Keeping: 2-3 weeks
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 2

McIntosh (or Macintosh) is one of the great North American apples. Discovered in Canada in the early 19th century it rapidly became an important home and commercial apple variety in Canada and the north-eastern USA.

It is best know for its distinctive sweet wine-like flavour - reminiscent of sweet grapes. Its maroon skin colour, and gleaming white juicy flesh are also very characteristic of this variety.

Trained McIntosh apple trees for sale

  • Tree form iconLarge Espalier (starter) tree £42.50
    Supplied with 1 tier and a leader, for training on as an espalier or palmette. Approx. mature size: 3m wide and 2.5m high. Potential for 3-5 tiers. Red bare-root.
    Sold-out for this season

Growing and Training

Perhaps surprisingly given its Canadian origins McIntosh does best in a warm sunny climate, and in the UK is best grown as a fan or espalier against a wall or fence in full sun.


McIntosh characteristics

  • Is McIntosh self-fertile?Not self-fertile
  • What flowering group is McIntosh?2
  • Is McIntosh good for pollinating others?Average
  • Picking period (southern UK)mid-September
  • CroppingHeavy
  • How long can you keep McIntosh in a fridge?2-3 weeks
  • Food usesEating freshCulinaryJuice
  • What is the overall disease resistance of McIntosh?Good
  • Where does McIntosh originate from?Canada
  • When was McIntosh first introduced?1800 - 1849
  • Fruit colourCrimson

You might also like these varieties

  • See also Spartan
    Spartan
    Spartan produces lots of crimson maroon apples, crunchy, sweet, easy to grow, delicate "vinous" flavour.

This variety description was produced by Orange Pippin staff from first-hand research. Last checked: 08-Apr-2023.