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Gravenstein apple

Gravenstein

Gravenstein is an attractive high-quality dessert and culinary apple, first described in 1797. It is well-known in the USA and northern Europe, and is still grown commercially on a small-scale.

Gravenstein is a triploid variety and as is often the case with such varieties, produces a large vigourous tree with dark thick leaves.  Possibly because of its triploid nature Gravenstein seems to have a greater degree of variability than most varieties.  There is also a red "sport" known as Red Gravenstein, where the red coloration is more pronounced (and we think less interesting).

Gravenstein is a relatively hardy variety and can withstand difficult conditions - by European standards.  In North America where summers are often hotter and winters much colder, it has a reputation for being fussy, and undoubtedly does best in areas where the climate is closer to the milder winters and cooler summers of northern Europe.

The real problem with Gravenstein is that it is prone to many diseases and therefore has never achieved the popularity it deserves.  As so often in the world of apples, it seems that the apples with the best flavor are often the most difficult to grow.

Not surprisingly for such an old variety, the origins are uncertain.  It is most closely associated with Denmark, and although widely known as "Gravenstein" in English-speaking countries, an alternative name is "Graasten" since it is thought the mother tree was raised at Graasten Castle in southern Jutland, Denmark.

We are grateful to Johnny Olsen of Vejle, Denmark for the following information:

  • In his 1940 book "Denmarks Fruit Varieties" (Danmarks Frugtsorter) Danish pomologist Anton Pedersen gave Gravenstein 3 stars for eating quality, a score equalled by only one other variety - Signe Tillisch.
  • Gravenstein was declared the "national apple" of Denmark in 2005.

 

We are also grateful to Bill of Vancouver Island for pointing out some excellent Gravenstein identification photos on his website: mars.ark.com/~squeeze/apl-pics/grav.html

Gravenstein apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Gravenstein
  • Gravenstein
  • Gravenstein

USDA identification images for Gravenstein

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Gravenstein
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Gravenstein
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Gravenstein
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Gravenstein
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Gravenstein

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Offspring of this variety

  • Filippa - Filippa is thought to be a seedling of Gravenstein

Sports of this variety

Sports are natural genetic mutations of the original variety.


Visitor reviews

  • 31 May 2023 
    I live in IL, but travel to CA twice each year and I always hope to find Gravenstein apples. They are the very BEST!
  • 23 Jul 2020  NSW, United States
    Gravestein on M26 rootstock has wooly aphid issues. Grown as a Thomas bouche hedge. Reliable spur fruiter with lighter crops every second year. Suspect it is pollinating with Jonathan. Fruit fly netted also protects them from lorikeets.
  • 08 Aug 2019  BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
    Has the texture of a Macintosh and the tartness of a Granny Smith. I don't like Macs as I am very tactile. I won't eat these off the tree... but I will make them into apple sauce!!
  • 14 Jan 2019  CA, United States
    We have Gravs all over the place here and they are nice early apples. I like them best for baking, but have made hard cider as well. They do not transport well and have a quick shelf life. Nice and sweet but a bit mealy, which makes for great pies or my new favorite Gravenstein Upside Down Cake.
  • 20 Oct 2018  OR, United States
    The Gravenstein is my top choice for pie baking. The problem is, the apple has been disappearing from the market scene in the Pacific Northwest. My best source has now quit the business and I must find an adequate replacement....
  • 17 Sep 2018  KY, United States
    I live in KY and grew up with Gravensteins in the PNW would the grow in central KY.
  • 19 Sep 2017  WASHINGTON, United States
    Gravenstein: THE BEST APPLE IN THE WORLD FOR APPLESAUCE! So smooooth, with just the right amount of tartness and flavor. Cook until soft in just enough water to keep the apples at the bottom from burning, run through a conical colander or food mill, then sweeten with sugar and add cinnamon...YUM! Stores a long time in the freezer (even years!) if it stays hidden from my family for long enough! I especially like it to be on the thin side, so I just add a little more water. Very few things can be called "the BEST," this is one of them. Hard to find the apples here, so I planted my own tree.
  • 18 Sep 2016  ONTARIO, Canada
    This is the best apple there ever was. I only wish I could find them in Ontario.
  • 03 Aug 2016  OREGON, United States
    I have a Gravenstein Apple Tree in my backyard that my mother planted about 38 years ago. it was never pruned and it's huge. it's about oh I don't know forty feet high and the apples are absolutely delicious. there has been a couple years we've actually gotten two different seasons off of it. they do come early and they're huge and beautiful. they make applesauce that you don't have to add sugar or spices to if you don't want to. we had a cider press and made cider that tasted like apple lemonade it was delicious. I have some fun pictures.
  • 16 Sep 2015  MASSACHUSETTS, United States
    Gravenstein is my favorite early-season pie apple. As it's juicier than other pie apples, I use extra thickeners (flour and cornstarch). It requires only a little spice (nutmeg and cinnamon) to make a delicious pie; I'd advise pie-bakers to take care not to overwhelm the Gravenstein's nice flavor with spices.
  • 26 Mar 2015  VICTORIA, Australia
    Gravenstein is the best apple, bar none. It's the first apple to ripen (February). I wait all year for my first Gravenstein of the season. No, it doesn't keep. But, for me, that adds to the joy. Pick it and eat it! Yes, it cooks well. But why do that when you can enjoy that crisp, resounding, sweet-tart, crunch when it's fresh? What can I say? I love Gravensteins. ;)
  • 02 Dec 2014  WEST BARNSTABLE, United States
    This is the first apple of the season around here, at least that I want to eat. The taste is simple, probably best described as being "clean", which is probably just another way of saying "balanced" without many other flavors. A nice refreshing crunch, too. I like it enough to have planted one.
  • 30 Sep 2014  MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES, United States
    The red sport of this variety grows pretty well up here in cold New England-the man at the farmer's market said this year was a red banner year for it, and after tasting them, I agree wholeheartedly. Lots of juice, and when I cooked it into applesauce, I thought it was going to be too sweet-it was lovely! Been using the apple as part of a plan to wean me off sweets, but tastes better than any crud the stores have.
  • 15 Sep 2014  BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
    I have some Gravenstein apples on a branch of a tree which the Gravensteins share with Golden Delicious, Spartan and Granny Smiths. I've just eaten the last two Gravensteins, and the flavour was quite exceptional. They didn't produce such a big crop this year, but they made up for the small quantity with the taste. I'm located on Vancouver Island, where they seem to do well.
  • 10 Jan 2014  CA, United States
    Luther Burbank said this was basically the ultimate apple. Very sweet, crisp, and delicious, with an unmistakable flavor. Unfortunately, these apples can't be stored for any length of time. But, on the bright side, that means that when you do find them at the market, they are still reasonably fresh.
  • 12 Oct 2013  CA, United States
    Another fan of the local Gravs--love the flavor cooked or fresh, but perhaps my favorite thing about this variety is the intense aroma! One apple in the fruit bowl can infuse the entire room with a mouthwatering aroma. Also the Sebastopol Gravenstein fair in late summer is great fun, especially with kids.
  • 15 Aug 2013  MICHIGAN, United States
    The earliest fruiting tree I have in my orchard. Bears late July, usually. Early August this year (2013) due to late blossoming. Terrible keeper (1-2 weeks), but makes the best applesauce, bar none. Anyone I give the apples to raves about the applesauce. Don't try to eat the applesauce w/o sugar, way too tart. Just add enough sugar until the sour taste goes away and you will have the best applesauce ever.
  • 07 May 2013  NY, United States
    I can't say much about this apple. It only bloomed one measly year for me and produced an apple or two. I think I'm going to get rid of it.
  • 19 Apr 2013  AUCKLAND PROVINCE, New Zealand
    Interesting site - thank you. Gravenstein apples from one old decaying tree are one of my happy childhood memories. The crispness and flavour ! No commercial growers grow them in NZ. However, after 30 years in our new home we are having to cull an apple tree that has silver leaf virus. Hubby plans to buy a medium sized grafted apple tree to replace it. His cousin has offered to send Gravenstein scions, at the right time, so we can - hopefully - have the taste of Gravenstein around here. (We don't have room for another full-sized apple tree.)
  • 29 Oct 2012  OR, United States
    I just tried my first Gravenstein after a recommendation from a local Oregon grower. I love tart apples and usually keep Granny Smiths or McIntoshes around the house depending on the season. I'm so glad to have happened upon the Gravenstein; I'm only sad that they don't keep a little longer. I really enjoyed this variety as an eating apple—not too sweet—although the flesh is just a little bit softer than I prefer. I also made a lovely sour cream coffee cake with caramelized Gravensteins as a topping. I'm not a great fan of cooked fruits but I will be adding cooked Gravensteins to my regular repertoire and plan to stock up and make my own applesauce. This apple will definitely be added to my list of favorites.
  • 18 Aug 2012  CA, United States
    We have a tree on our small property that has been providing the most tastey apples for 15 years now. A friend told me she thought it was a Gravenstein. It fits all descriptions here! Most interesting is that it has something wrong with it that the tree is living on about 1/3 of its trunk-the other 2/3 has been eaten away by disease and/or termites(???). BUT it has continued to produce the most beautiful and delicious apples even though the trunk has been like this for at least 8 years! We love our little tree, it is such a blessing!
  • 22 Jul 2012  BC, Canada
    I have a 50 year old Gravenstein apple tree in our backyard (which used to be my grandparents house). It is still producing (lots this year) but I can tell it is getting old and would like to buy another one. I think they are by far the best all round apple . For the past several years I have been dehydrating them with no sugar added and they are the best!!!!
  • 25 Nov 2011  CA SONOMA COUNTY, United States
    I am a grower here in Sebastopol. There are very few of us left. Some of my trees were planted in 1887. Of the original 10 acres, about ten trees remain. They have not had a lick of care since the 1950's and are still producing mostly disease and pest free apples, (albeit some rust.) I am not listed in the 'Where to Buy' section, but would like it to be known that I WILL SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE US! Contact me in July and we can make arrangements.
  • 12 Nov 2011  COUNTY CORK, Ireland
    A large robust old Gravenstein tree-- planted in the mid 1910s-- in a seriously neglected orchard that I'm restoring has continued to surprise. It is more resistant to scab and canker (and drastic restoration pruning) than contemporary trees of other varieties here, despite its reputation for susceptibility. It continues to fruit despite no longer having other nearby cultivars that flower as early because its flowers last for weeks! And it has this year yielded over 6 bushels of apples, over a period of 8 weeks (early Sep-early Nov; notable even in our mild coastal climate). It's a great household apple because the crop ripens in small batches over so long a period, so there is never a glut (although windfall apples bruise easily and seem to be especially favoured by slugs). I don't feel it's the best eater-- although tasty enough-- but it makes terrific apple sauce/stewed apples and is good in pies too (best mixed with other cookers?). I understand it is also great in blended juice-- plan to test this next year.
  • 13 May 2011  NV, United States
    One summer while living in Altadena, CA, my mother and I went to Albertson's grocery store in Sierra Madre, CA which displayed gravenstein apples. Never having tasted them, I asked the produce man about them. I learned that they were a very good cooking apple and great for apple pies. Since my husband loved apple pies and it was summer, I thought I'd try them. They made wonderful pies, and I was hooked! Then I found gravenstein sweetened applesauce in Von's grocery store. Now, none are available, and I'm drowning in sorrow! (I did find a jar of unsweeted gravenstein applesauce at Trader Joe's, but I much prefer the sweetened kind.) I read On-Line that Safeway has gravenstein applesauce, but I haven't been to the one Safeway in Las Vegas to verify if this is true as it's quite a distance from my home. All I can say is, I did plant a gravenstein tree in my yard, but it's too soon to tell if it's going to survive. It's the prince of all apples. I am looking for another gravenstein tree but am having a difficult time locating one at several nurseries. I won't give up because gravenstein apples are so choice!
  • 24 Nov 2010  BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
    I,ve looking for the old apple varity of Gravenstein I am very intrested in getting a couple plant of the older varity Gravenstirens
  • 21 Oct 2010  B. C., Canada
    I grew up on Vancouver Island (s. coast, B. C.) with a mature Gravenstein apple tree as our #1 producer in our 3 tree orchard. It never seemed to have any problems - despite notes here about susceptibility to various ailments - and always bore a massive crop of apples. We thinned out the green apples and collected the windfalls for the best pies and applesauce ever. The ripe apples kept in our coldroom till around December; it was always something of a race to use the last of them up, but even past their best for eating, they were still a good cooking apple. Our tree's fruit tended to be large and yellow with a red blush on 1/4 to 1/2 the apple, and as the fruit matured it developed a distinctive, waxy coating on the skin. The apples were at their very best for eating just as that waxy coating formed. I've been totally spoiled for any commercial varieties ever since. Oddly enough, the only one that ever came close were the first Braeburns from New Zealand. However, when you can find it at all, that variety has changed and isn't as good anymore.
  • 10 Oct 2010  WA, United States
    A good all round apple we use for applesauce and juice. If you live near Tacoma, WA, USA you can sponsor ($35) and tend a Grav at the Curran Orchards Park. They have other varieties as well. http://www.curranappleorchard.com/frames.html
  • 17 Apr 2010  PIEDMONT, Italy
    I also love Gravenstein apples and would like to grow some. I first experienced eating them in Denmark.
  • 25 Oct 2009  COWICHAN BAY, B.C., Canada
    We have an ancient 1900's apple orchard on our farm (been in family since 1862 when homesteaded). Some strange apples trees left including Two Gravensteins, one of which fell over 10 years ago but still produces fruit (Horizontally). Absolutely the best eating apple I have ever had! Everyone that tries apples from these trees asks "What kind of apple is this?....never tasted anything as good!". Gotta eat them off the tree at the right time. Too bad they don't keep! WE LOVE GRAVENSTEINS!
  • 08 Sep 2009  SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Canada
    I have only four grocers to choose from in my community.(Nary a Grav to be found) I miss the many green grocers in my old neighbourhood in East Vancouver, BC where a good sized Gravenstein would be my lunch. I would almost have them shipped from BC.
  • 27 Jul 2009  SEBASTOOPOL, CA, United States
    Our local Slow Food chapter has worked for 6 years on preserving the Sebastopol Gravenstein. Now the apple has been placed on the Art of Taste with the Slow Food International Foundation for Biodiversity. One can buy Gravs from some of our rare fruit growers in the area: http://www.crfg.org/. For more info on saving the Gravensteins and where to buy them fresh, go to http://www.slowfoodrr.org/localprojects.html.
  • 26 Jul 2009  PARKSVILLE, BC, Canada
    Just moved back to Vancouver Island in Dec. I'm told that the three apple trees in the backyard are Gravensteins, so I'm eagerly anticipating harvest in October.
  • 25 Feb 2009  BAKERSFIELD, CA, United States
    My parents had a Gravenstein apple tree that produced for well over 30 years. It was the only apple we ever used to make apple pies -- they were the Best! Sadly, it became diseased and died and I have not been able to find a local source to replace it. I sure miss those pies!
  • 26 Nov 2008  ARCADIA, LA/CA, United States
    I'm originally from Holland also. I'm really upset because the local Pavilions stopped carrying my favorite Gravenstein applesauce which I've been buying there for 20 years. The thing is I never checked if it was S&W or another firm. Please don' tell me they've gone out of business. I don't want the other brands; they don't have that fresh, clean, not overly sweet taste. Trader Joe has the unsweetened, but I liked the regular one. Anyone know who in the southland still carries it?
  • 14 Nov 2008  UNION BEACH, NEW JERSEY, United States
    I would put the hawaii apple (starks bros) on top 10 for taste. The apple is good for eating and cooking -pies, dessert. It's not a great keeper. I also like winesap.
  • 10 Oct 2008  ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, United States
    "Curiously a friend in Burnie, Tasmania (a fine climate for apples) related to me that her Gravenstein didn't fruit at all in the summer of 2006 but threw a bumper crop in the summer of 2007." Actually (at least in the USA) this is a common behavior of apple trees when they are left to their own devices. One of the purposes of pruning is to suppress the trees' natural inclination to this fruiting behavior.
  • 15 Sep 2008  VICTORIA,, Australia
    I am not an apple eater but I go crazy for the Gravenstein which in the Australian summers is past its prime almost as soon as it's off the tree. Curiously a friend in Burnie, Tasmania (a fine climate for apples) related to me that her Gravenstein didn't fruit at all in the summer of 2006 but threw a bumper crop in the summer of 2007. If you're after Gravensteins in Victoria, head for the high country in the state's north-east where you can be lucky to find them for sale by the side of the road!
  • 14 Sep 2008  VICTORIA BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
    Gravensteins are the best thing about late August in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, my former home. I like sour and crunchy types. They do age quickly, so are best enjoyed as close to picking as possible. Unfortunately they are difficult to come by out here in B.C., my new address.
  • 03 Sep 2008  REDWOOD CITY, CA, United States
    My grandparents grew up in the Sebastopol area. Every year they would travel up there from the bay area and bring home flats of Gravs. My grandmother made pies and applesauce. I have a tree in my backyard and every year my family can't wait for my Grav apple pie and applesauce. They are a special apple!
  • 09 Aug 2008  SAN RAFAEL, CA, United States
    We have a lovely Gravenstein in our backyard that is overflowing with the yummiest apples ever. Deer go crazy over the fallen apples. I dry some in a food dehydrator and they make great snacks all year round. I think the Gravenstein Apple Fair is going on in Sebastopool this weekend and we may drive up to check it out.
  • 22 May 2008  Netherlands
    My family's last name is as well Gravenstein (wrote Gravesteijn here). This family name can be found back till 1680 in Holland. There are a lot more family's in holland called Gravesteijn. About the apple, I know that it exists but never found it. Is it true that there is a city called Gravenstein in the USA?? Maybe there is a link between these family's?
  • 13 Dec 2007  NEVADA CITY, CA, United States
    Gravenstein is my family's last name. You can find Gravenstein Apple products in Sebastopol, California, USA.
  • 22 Sep 2007  WISCONSIN, United States
    We found a group of wild growing Gravenstein apples in Adams Cty Wi. They are wonderful tasting apple and an interesting texture.
  • 03 Aug 2007  United Kingdom
    No doubt the best apple on the world, I grew up in Denmark eating at least one apple a day, Gravenstein was the favorite, I am now living in Georgia, I haven't been able to find Gravenstein here in the south, HELP, I can find the Gravenstein applesauce but not the apple, Imagine my surprise when I read Gravenstein is called Graasten in Denmark, I have never heard that name before, I was borne in Copenhagen 1934 and have lived in USA since 1958.

Tree register

United States

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Greece

Netherlands

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

Switzerland

Poland

Spring blossom records for this variety

2023 season

  • 18th March  2023  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

2022 season

  • 10th May  2022  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 18th April  2022  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 15th April  2022  - tree owned by Kevin in Albuquerque, United States

2021 season

  • 1st May  2021  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2020 season

  • 16th May  2020  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 14th April  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2019 season

  • 6th May  2019  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 20th April  2019  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2018 season

  • 12th May  2018  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 22nd April  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2017 season

  • 30th April  2017  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 5th April  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • May  2016  - tree owned by Jason in Barss Corner, Canada
  • 17th April  2016  - tree owned by Michael in North Vancouver, Canada
  • 5th April  2016  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States
  • 28th March  2016  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2015 season

  • 9th May  2015  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 2nd April  2015  - tree owned by Chris in Kennewick, United States
  • April  2015  - tree owned by J. in Elmira, United States

2014 season

  • 13th May  2014  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 23rd April  2014  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States
  • April  2014  - tree owned by Ed in Portland, United States

2013 season

  • 6th May  2013  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • May  2013  - tree owned by Wayne in Maple Ridge, Canada

2012 season

  • 25th April  2012  - tree owned by Lisa in Los Gatos, United States
  • April  2012  - tree owned by Colleen in Occidental, United States

2011 season

  • 19th May  2011  - tree owned by Ron in Orion, United States
  • May  2011  - tree owned by Karen in Quilcene, United States

2009 season

  • May  2009  - tree owned by Carolyn in Estacada, United States

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


Harvest records for this variety

2022 season

  • 4th week August  2022  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2021 season

  • 4th week August  2021  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2020 season

  • 1st week September  2020  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2019 season

  • 4th week August  2019  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2018 season

  • 1st week September  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
  • 4th week August  2018  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States

2017 season

  • 4th week August  2017  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 2nd week August  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • 2nd week August  2016  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States

2015 season

  • 3rd week August  2015  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States
  • 1st week August  2015  - tree owned by Chris in Kennewick, United States
  • August  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States

2014 season

  • 2nd week July  2014  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States
  • July  2014  - tree owned by Malcolm in Oakland, United States

2013 season

  • 1st week September  2013  - tree owned by Mark in Cape Neddick, United States
  • 4th week August  2013  - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
  • 3rd week July  2013  - tree owned by Gary in Chesaning, United States

2012 season

  • 3rd week August  2012  - tree owned by George in Woodland, United States
  • 1st week August  2012  - tree owned by Lloyd in Beaverton, United States
  • August  2012  - tree owned by Kari in Gibsons, Canada
  • August  2012  - tree owned by Colleen in Occidental, United States
  • 4th week June  2012  - tree owned by Lisa in Los Gatos, United States
  • February  2012  - tree owned by Katrina in Nelson, New Zealand

2011 season

  • 3rd week September  2011  - tree owned by Arthur in Klamath Falls, United States
  • September  2011  - tree owned by Vojtech in Zatec, Czech Republic
  • 3rd week August  2011  - tree owned by Larry in Corvallis, United States

2009 season

  • September  2009  - tree owned by Carolyn in Estacada, United States
  • September  2009  - tree owned by Vojtech in Zatec, Czech Republic

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
  • Parentage: Unknown
  • Originates from: Denmark
  • Introduced: 1797 but much older
  • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1957-215

Identification

  • Country of origin: Denmark
  • Period of origin: 1750 - 1799
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Popularity: Best sellers
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous

Using

  • Picking season: Early
  • Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
  • Flavour quality: Very good
  • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
  • Cooking result: Keeps shape
  • Discoloration of fruit: Very oxidising (browns quickly)
  • Cropping: Good
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
  • Food uses: Eating fresh
  • Food uses: Culinary
  • Food uses: Traditional cooker
  • Food uses: Dual purpose
  • Picking period: late August
  • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Experienced
  • Flowering group: 1
  • Pollinating others: Poor
  • Ploidy: Triploid
  • Vigour: Vigorous
  • Precocity: Slow to start bearing
  • Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Climate

  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Chill requirement: Low-chill
  • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
  • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)

Other qualities

  • Disease resistance: Poor
  • Cedar apple rust: Very resistant
  • Canker: Some susceptibility
  • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
  • Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
  • Fire blight: Very susceptible

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Gravenstein apple trees for sale:


Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Gravenstein:

United States


United Kingdom


Canada


Australia


Switzerland




References

  • Cedar-Apple Rust  
    Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
    Rated as very resistant - no control needed against CAR.
  • Apples for the 21st Century
    Author: Manhart
  • Apples of England (1948)
    Author: Taylor

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