Apples: Malus domestica 'MacFree'

description for "Apples: Malus domestica 'MacFree'"

You'll love 'MacFree' if you like 'McIntosh' flavor. With the introduction of 'MacFree', pommologists can chalk up another victory over 'McIntosh' apple enemies! This improved 'McIntosh' has the tangy, aromatic and tender flesh that made its parent so popular. But this new variety has more—your freedom from disease-preventive spraying! Test plantings show it resists enemies like apple scab, powdery mildew, cedar apple rust, and fire blight. Fire blight resistance alone is a real winner! Compact, heavy-bearing trees. (Available in semi-dwarf only.) 'MacFree' ripens the same as its parent, usually in September and lasting into October. Yields an average of 5 bushels with some variation depending on the season. Will reach a height of 10-12 feet at maturity. Plant trees 15-20 feet apart. One-year plant. Needs well drained soil. Full sun is best, but must have at least a half day of sun. Good for an espalier. Two varieties are needed for pollination. 'Cortland', 'McIntosh' and 'Yellow Delicious' are particularly effective pollinators. -- edited by dtd pbcouchman