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McIntosh Apple Tree

Malus 'McIntosh'

Regular price $6943
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Select a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. While the tree can survive in partial shade, the fruit production will drop significantly and the apples may lack their signature sweetness.
  • Soil: These trees thrive in rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. If you are dealing with heavy clay soil, mix in compost or organic matter to improve drainage, as apple trees struggle in soil that stays soggy after rain.

Watering Requirements

For the first year or two, water deeply and regularly to ensure the root system establishes well, checking the soil moisture weekly. Once established, the tree is somewhat drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering during the summer can lead to fruit drop or smaller, less juicy apples.

Pruning Tips

Prune your McIntosh in late winter while the tree is dormant, before any signs of new growth appear. Focus on removing crossing branches and opening up the center of the canopy to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration, which helps prevent disease and ripens fruit evenly.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a layer of compost around the drip line in early spring as new growth begins. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the growing season, as this encourages soft new growth that can be easily damaged by winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Description

McIntosh Apple America's Favorite Heritage Variety

McIntosh Apple is famous not for its crunch, but rather the snap. From the first bite, the classic McIntosh snap of the skin alerts you to prepare for the perfect blend of tartness to sugar which is so much the reason for its popularity.

McIntosh Apple tree produces heavy crops of small to medium-sized apples that ripen and are ready for harvest around mid-September. Often, McIntosh Apple crops persist into early winter, as this tree is hardy and can easily withstand colder temperatures.

The tree is cold hardy, but it's also adapted to a wide range of climates. Recent studies have determined McIntosh to have a low chill requirement, as well. Fruit sets have been reported into what would be considered extremely low chill zones 10 and 11a.

The classic Apple tree in the landscape, the McIntosh is a decorative addition to your yard with its show of delicate Apple blossoms in early spring. As the Apples begin to develop, you'll enjoy watching as your fruit transitions into red over green, decorating the tree amid the vibrant dark green leaves.

When you're craving Apples at the end of the summer, growing your own McIntosh tree is here to satisfy your sweet tooth. Not only do McIntosh Apples grow from lovely trees, but these delicious apples also ripen early in the season, making them a convenient go-to snack. These Apples are great for eating.

Key Features

  • Early Ripening Fruit
  • Heavy Producing
  • Adapted to a Wide Range of Climates
  • Both Cold Hardy and Low Chill
  • Famous Heirloom Variety
  • Disease Resistant
  • Chilling Requirements: Moderate to High 500 to 1000 hours

Classic All-Purpose McIntosh Apple Tree

The sweet-tart taste and tender white flesh of the McIntosh Apple make it great for snacking. But there is a lot more to this unique variety than just fresh eating. The "Mac's" were the first of the all-purpose Apples.

McIntosh Apples have the perfect balance of acid to sugar. This makes them great for butter, jelly, and cider. And no county fair would be the same without a McIntosh candied apple on a stick.

For bakers, McIntosh cooks down into a soft consistency. Slice and mix with other varieties, such as Winesap, or Gala Apples to produce the perfect filling for the world's best Apple Pie. And there is nothing that beats the flavor of a "Mac" apple sauce.

Don't delay in getting this tree planted in your garden. The sooner you plant, the faster you'll begin enjoying the wonderful fresh fruit harvest from your backyard.

Pollination Partners for McIntosh Apples

McIntosh requires a pollinator, so when planting, remember to think of a later or earlier ripening variety to extend your harvest of apples. Be sure to select varieties that are recommended for the USDA Growing zone you are planting in. Enter your zip code in the Zone Finder to see what zone you are in.

An early ripener, the McIntosh apple tree is one of the earliest of the apples to ripen. When planning your selection, don't forget to plant a few Apple varieties. McIntosh will be your early ripening variety.

To extend your season of harvest, plant the McIntosh with the mid-season Winesap and a late-season Arkansas Black Apple. You'll gain an heirloom harvest of some of the finest-eating Apples known. To increase pollination, plant your McIntosh with another Apple tree like the Anna, Centennial Crabapple, Cox's Orange Pippin, CrimsonCrisp, Cripps Pink, Cripps Ted, Dolgo Crabapple, Freedom, Frostbite, Fuji, Granny Smith, Haralson, Jonathan, SnowSweet, Sweet Sixteen, Wealthy, WineCrisp, Wolf River.

#ProPlantTips for Care

This crisp, juicy Apple grows best in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. A moderate amount of moisture is required to ensure the McIntosh tree produces a full crop of delicious, ripe apples.

You'll want to plant your McIntosh where it will get plenty of sunlight, as full sun exposure is needed to grow. Fruiting time can take anywhere from three to five years, but if you have a little patience, the apples this tree produces are well worth the wait.

McIntosh Apple can be maintained to any height with pruning. It is always recommended that fruit trees be maintained below 10 feet for ease of maintenance and harvesting.

All apples require a certain amount of care in different regions of the country. Check with your local Ag Extension Agency to find out apple care recommendations for your area. Nature Hills carries a wide range of natural and conventional products to help with your fruit tree care.

When planting, mix some HSU Growing Supply Leaf Compost into soils with low organic matter to get your tree off to a great start, In any soil, the Fertilome Root Stimulator will aid in the quick adjustment of its new home.

McIntosh Apple was a chance seedling discovered by John McIntosh in the early 1800s, while clearing his property in Fall St Lawrence and Alexander, Canada. By the beginning of the 20th century, the McIntosh Apple was the #1 variety planted in Canada and throughout the upper Midwest and East Coast in the United States.

Order one of America's favorite Apple Trees today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Prune McIntosh Apple Trees

  • Dormant prune to: Prune Apple trees in the summer to: How to Care for McIntosh Apple Trees Growing an Apple tree is easy when proper soil, good drainage, attention to moisture, and regular fertility are maintained. Once you've chosen an apple tree that works for your climate, in the size you need for your landscape, and its pollinator (if needed), then you've accomplished half the battle! Apple trees will tolerate a wide range of soils, so long as water and nutrients are not limited and the pH level is adequate.

How to Fertilize McIntosh Apple Trees

  • For the first year, water alone is most important. It is always best to get a soil test to see what your soil is lacking before adding more fertilizers. Once established, a fertilizer routine may be beneficial. We do offer some excellent slow-release organic options, applied according to the package directions. Fruit trees need more phosphate and it's possible to apply too much nitrogen which affects the soil's pH. Test soil acidity or alkalinity using a pH Tester. Fertilize in spring when you first see new growth emerging.

McIntosh Apple Tree Pollinating Info

  • McIntosh is not self-fruiting and needs a pollinating partner. Pair with one of these varieties:

Harvest Times for McIntosh Apple Trees

  • McIntosh's are typically ready to harvest in September. Early-Season? Mid-Season? Late-Season? The terminology can be confusing for new apple tree growers. Weather, climate and your tree determine when it's ripe. For Apples: The growing season consists of spring, summer, and fall, and varies with climate and weather. Areas with longer growing seasons in the warmer hardiness zones can greatly affect the harvest times for each particular apple variety grown in your area. Rootstocks Explained Apple trees have been grafted onto different rootstocks since before the mid-1800s. Different rootstocks are used to improve the anchoring of trees, eliminate diseases, and reduce the natural mature size of the tree itself. While there are many different types of rootstock, they are all labeled as being either Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf, or Standard. The Apple descriptions, including flowering, pollination, and apple characteristics are the same whether the plant is grown on a standard rootstock or some varying dwarfing rootstock. The overall size can vary by climate and soil but the understock used is ultimately what affects the mature size. There will be some variation in sizes but as a guide, we are suggesting the overall mature size of these apple varieties are: Semi-Dwarf Apples Standard Apples Remember that all fruit tree sizes can easily be altered if needed by simple pruning as the trees grow and develop.

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