Frostbite™ Apple Tree

When it comes to apples, the Frostbite™ Apple (Malus x 'MN 477') is one-of-a-kind. This cold-hardy apple variety has been pleasing apple aficionados since its creation in the 1920s. These delightful apple trees have been used as the parentage of some of the most popular commercial varieties like the Honeycrisp, Keepsake, and Sweet Sixteen.

What else makes the Frostbite Apple an unbeatable choice for colder climates and those looking for a late-season harvest? This variety produces unique apples and offers the charm of sweet-scented and whimsical blooms.

First things first: the apple. The Frostbite Apple is unlike any other. It is tangy, tart, highly sweet, and crisp. Its flesh is often an orangey-yellow and even has bursts of red from time-to-time. It also holds a lot of juice despite its petite size. So, keep a few napkins around, its juice will run out and cascade down your hands.

These sugar-sweet apples are perfect for cider, cooking, and late-season fresh snacks. This prized apple offers a true apple flavor that will make you feel sentimental for your grandma's apple pie recipe, so be sure to ask mom where she put it before harvest time comes around.

The Frostbite's apples make great dried apple chips (which kids love).

Frostbite Apples do not grow larger than two-to-three inches in size, but this highly producing tree makes up for its fruit size with quantity and flavor. These deep red apples often grow in clusters and color to a deep cherry-red with golden freckles. When fully ripe and grown in full sun, the Frostbite Apple will develop sunny-yellow stripes.

The Frostbite Apple holds up to the most bitingly cold temperature without losing flavor or becoming frostbitten. This impressive apple was developed to stand up to temperatures that drop below 0-degrees F. This durable apple tree is fit for the North Pole but also thrives in warmer climates.

You can expect to fill your apple-picking basket from September to October, which is about three weeks after other apple trees bear ripe fruit.

Along with its sweet and juicy apples, the Frostbite Apple also offers a delightful sight when it comes into bloom in spring. Its adorable apple blossoms are the softest white with deeper blushes of pink and honey-yellow centers.

Because the Frostbite is such a prolific producer, you can use some of these romantic clusters as cut flowers to freshen up and add demure beauty to your home.

When these graceful flowers first appear in spring, they arrive as popping pink buds. When the Frostbite Apple blooms, you will want to treat yourself to the sweet and enticing scent of its flowers. You won't be the only one enjoying these blossoms, though. This pollinator-friendly apple tree is also a favorite of bees that will happily buzz around pollinating your garden and fruit trees.

The Frostbite Apple does require a pollinator. You can pair yours with a Cortland, Fuji, Dolgo, Honeycrisps, or Granny Smith. Worried about the space required for a pollination partner? No need to stress--you can plant two apple varieties in the same hole, and they will happily pollinate one another.

How to Use the Frostbite Apple in the Landscape

Whether you have acreage to spare in your home orchard or you've been dreaming of an apple tree that will fit in your backyard, the Frostbite Apple will do the job. 

This tree is perfect for average yards and makes a storybook-perfect backdrop behind your veggie garden. The pollinators it attracts will be happy to visit your vegetables and ensure you have a healthy harvest year after year.

Plant a small grouping of apple trees and enjoy the sweet scent of apple blossoms when you step into your backyard.

#ProPlantTips for Care

For best success, plant your Frostbite Apple in full sun with well-drained soil. Provide even moisture and water during dry spells for the best fruit size.

Good air circulation is a must for the best pollinator and fruit quality. The Frostbite Apple also likes to dry its foliage in the morning sun, so be sure to plant it where it can bask in the morning sunrise.

Prune your Frostbite Apple during winter months when it's dormant. You will notice it produces its crisp and toothsome apples on spurs.

Tell your harsh winters who's boss with your very own Frostbite Apple trees. These apples are small, extremely cold hardy, and one of the most prestigious when it comes to its offspring. Gift your home orchard with the most unique and tenacious apple tree you can find. Ordering one is as easy as apple pie, so don't delay.

Pollinator partners: Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith

Frostbite™ Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant Frostbite™ Apple Trees

Planting Bareroot trees as soon as you can dig a hole in spring and until hot weather, the earlier the better. Plant container Apple trees throughout the growing season with complete success - that is the benefit of container plants - to extend the planting season. Your County Agricultural Extension Office is a great resource for first and last frost dates in your area.

How to Plant Frostbite™ Apple Trees

Dig a large hole only as deep as needed to accommodate the bareroot or container root ball, and twice as wide. Add Nature Hills Root Booster to speed root establishment. Remove the pot or bag and situate it into the hole so the top of the soil (soil line if bareroot), is level with the new location's soil being careful not to plant too deep. Water in again very well and backfill with the same soil you dug up, tamping down gently to ensure there are no air pockets.

Top off with a 3-4 inch thick layer of Arborist mulch. Consider staking your tree to keep its trunk growing straight for the first year to ensure it stands tall against strong winds and drifting snow.

When to Prune Frostbite™ Apple Trees

Trim off any broken branches from delivery as soon as you take them out of the box. Prune and trim apple trees while dormant, in late winter or early spring, before you see new growth.

How to Prune Frostbite™ Apple Trees

Dormant prune to:

• Remove any double leaders or narrow crotch angles
• Eliminate any crossing branches
• Thin interior branching and leave the fruiting spurs and strong branches in place opening up the canopy
• Branching at least 24-36 inches above the ground

Prune Apple trees in the summer to:

• Control size and shape by reducing the length of longer new growth on vigorous trees
• Remove water sprouts on the main trunk or older branches in the crown
• Remove suckers at the base of the trunk
• Thin fruit during heavy years on established trees

How to Care for Frostbite™ 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 do best in full sun and well-drained soil
• Water your apple trees when it gets dry - especially during the fruit production stage, and drought periods to keep it stress-free
• Use arborists' wood chips to mulch over the roots of your apples and have your soil tested to see what your soil may be lacking before adding fertilizers
• Maintenance pruning and shaping

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 Frostbite™ 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.

• Don't overdo it
• Phosphates are your friends
• Pay attention to pH in areas with extremely high or low soil pH
• Follow the directions

Frostbite™ Apple Tree Pollinating Info

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

• Fuji Apple Tree
• Gala Apple Tree
• Honeycrisp Apple Tree
• Granny Smith Apple Tree

Harvest Times for Frostbite™ Apple Trees

Frostbite™’s are typically ready to harvest in late September through early October.

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:

• Early-season is usually June-July
• Mid-season can be August-September
• Late-season can be from late September-November

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. Learn which growing zone you are in.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Frostbite™ Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!