I’m looking to put an order for apple trees for Spring 2023. I live 15 min. outside Portland, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley. We have about 3/4 of an acre, all south facing, and I’m looking to plant some apple trees. I was a farm kid, but after school we were in the city, and I never had space to garden. Now in our forever home, I literally want to put down roots.
I’m looking for the unicorn of apples, specifically at least dual purpose, and not susceptible to everything. I’m interested in fresh eating, pies, some cold storage, and of course hard cider. For fresh eating we like a crisp body similar to Honeycrisp and Pixie Crunch (I know, eye roll, but we are big on texture for fresh eating). Looking at Dwarf only, for ease of management, and I still want a backyard. Shooting for 4 trees…for now
On the tentative Yes list (unless you think otherwise)
- GoldenRush
- Hudson’s Golden
- Ashmead’s Kernel - ? Maybe, I’ve heard incredible flavor, but not the crunchie-est?
This is a the “I just can’t decide”, only looking for one more tree, looking for advice:
- Grimes Golden (How bad is the Bitter Pit?)
- Golden Russet
- Liberty
Or…I kick the Ashmead’s Kernel off, and say “yes” to both Grimes Golden and Golden Russet, you see my problem here.
Which one of these three would you recommend? Knowing the above what I’m looking for, how would you rank these?
Are there any other varieties I’m overlooking?
Thank you in advance, I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of these apples, the apple tastings were canceled last year because Covid was going crazy. The list above is okay for pollination group mach up I believe, but I’m not that concerned. Every other person in the area has apple trees in their backyard, as well as several abandoned trees mixed in with hedges. I accidentally grabbed a tomatillo at the nursery last year, thinking it was a tomato. With only one plant it would not produce fruit, I still put it in the ground, thinking I’d use the leaves in floral arrangements. Boy, I was surprised with it set with heavy fruit. I don’t have any pollination concerns.
So, with that, please give me your thoughts and wisdom on the apple front!