RubyMac® McIntosh Apple Tree

Every time you bite into a RubyMac® McIntosh Apple (Malus x 'RubyMac') and the rich aroma and sweet yet tart flavor overtakes you, you will want to thank John McIntosh for discovering its grandfather and starting this variety on his Ontario farm over two hundred years ago!

This variety provides large bright red fruit with a charming hint of green. You'll know when they're ripe because the skin around the stems turns yellow. The RubyMac® McIntosh Apple's flesh is bright white and crisp and perfect for fresh eating, filling your mouth with sweet, tart, and juicy delight. The later you harvest, the sweeter the fruit!

It grows well in areas that have cold winters that can kill other varieties, and at a moderate rate, consistently providing large crops in September. The tree holds onto the apples better than most and resists premature drop.

Planting and Application:

The glorious white, fragrant blossoms are a major draw for pollinators and the tree fills out nicely with handsome foliage. Smaller sized, RubyMac® is perfect for any sized yard and garden, great for front or back yard edible landscaping and readily tucked into existing landscapes and established orchards!

Are you ready to relax in front of a winter fire, and joy a hot up of cider along with an apple muffin, both made from your delicious RubyMac® apples? They are great right off the tree but hold up to baking great too. You can make delicious pies and tarts, preserves and applesauce! There's enough juice for amazing cider too!

• Red Fruit & White Crisp Flesh
• Sweet-Tart & Juicy
• Sport of the Original McIntosh Apple
• Great Choice for Cold Climates
• Provides a Large Harvest

#ProPlantTips for Care:

The RubyMac® McIntosh should be planted in full sun with well-draining soil. Fertilize your new tree three times a year and water twice a week when the weather is dry. RubyMac® is fairly resistant to most diseases! Prune when dormant for an open canopy in late winter.

• Full Sun
• Enriched Well-Drained Soil
• Loves Mulched Beds
• Regular Moisture
• Disease Resistant

So if you live in a cool enough climate, the RubyMac® McIntosh will provide you with many years of crisp, juicy, tart apples. Pay homage to Mr. McIntosh and order your RubyMac® McIntosh Apple tree from NatureHills.com today!

RubyMac® McIntosh Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant RubyMac® McIntosh 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 RubyMac® McIntosh 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 RubyMac® McIntosh 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 RubyMac® McIntosh 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 RubyMac® 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 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 RubyMac® 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.

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

RubyMac® McIntosh Apple Tree Pollinating Info

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

• Cortland Apple Tree
• Fuji Apple Tree
• Gala Apple Tree
• Golden Delicious Apple Tree
• Honeycrisp Apple Tree
• Red Jonathan Apple Tree

Harvest Times for RubyMac® McIntosh Apple Trees

RubyMac® 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:

• 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.