Wealthy Apple Tree

USDA Certified Organic Horticulturalist Peter Gideon grew the first Wealthy apple tree in 1868. Gideon sent the family's last dollars to an apple grower in Bangor, Maine, and got a bushel of apple seeds in return. Just one of these seeds, crossed with Gideon's Siberian crab apple, produced the apple that Gideon later named the Wealthy apple, after his wife, Wealthy Gideon. The Wealthy apple tree was the earliest apple to thrive in the Minnesota climate. Pale yellow fruit splashed and striped with red. Ripens to all-over scarlet for fresh eating; used weeks earlier for pies, sauces and preserves. Flesh is sprightly, vinous, distinctive flavor with a hint of strawberry. The Wealthy apple tree is a small compact tree that bears heavily and very cold hardy, but also fruits in low chill locations. The Wealthy apple tree blooms profusely over a long period, making it an excellent pollinator. This is a favorite for home orchards in Minnesota and the East. Please see below for further insight on our heirloom apple tree Wealthy and discover additional consideration for selecting the appropriate fruit trees to buy for your home and small farm.  Considerations for Wealthy Apple Tree USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Heirloom: Yes Uses: Desserts / Pies, Cooking / Sauces, Fresh Eating Harvest Period: Midseason Low Chill: Yes Bloom Period: Midseason Pollination Requirement: Self-Fertile Origin Date: Minnesota 1868 Storage: 1-2 months Rootstock: MM 111 (semi-dwarf) Years to Bear: 2-4 years Recommended Spacing: 12-16 ft. Mature Size: 12-16 ft. Pruning: Summer prune to maintain 8 ft. Water Requirements: 12-15 gallons per week May through Sept. [TABS] Size of tree Our trees range in height from 4-8 ft. in our field and trimmed to 4 to 5 ft. when shipped. Our young two year trees are most often feathered (side limbs). The trees diameter (caliper) is often 1/2 to 3/4 inch; *As noted by University of California Scientists and other qualified professionals the most successful trees often have caliper from 1/2" to 5/8" and usually establish faster than smaller and larger planting stock. . Pruning tip Basic idea for Pruning: Most fruit trees should be pruned in frost-free periods mid to late winter. (apricots best after bud break) Remove most vertical branches and shorten side branches. Fruiting wood is best on horizontal to 45 degree limbs. Learn more... Shipping information Shipping Note: Our fruit trees and berries are delivered to you bareroot during their winter dormancy from January through May depending on USDA zone. Trees are shipped with your invoice and helpful planting directions. There is no minimum quantity required but shipping rate for an individual tree is expensive since UPS/Fed Ex charge a dimensional weight and an additional handling fee to ship a tree. You'll find it's cost effective to consider a handful of trees,vines or our helpful Tree Starter Kits. [/TABS]