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Redfree apple

Redfree

A disease resistant summer apple developed by PRI.  The scab resistance comes from the incorporation of Malus floribunda, a crab apple.

Redfree apple identification images

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  • Redfree

USDA identification images for Redfree

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

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

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Offspring of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 05 Sep 2018  ME, United States
      One of the worst apples I've tried, and I eat at least one apple a day. Soft and flavorless. Maybe I got a bad batch, but will avoid in the future.
    • 24 Oct 2017  MICHIGAN, United States
      Picked mid August, ate some and made apple sauce . Enjoyed, good flavor and texture. Would recommend Redfree to others. Extremely low maintenance tree
    • 21 Jul 2017  PA, United States
      July 21 and our Redfree apples are ready--crisp and juicy and just the right size for a snack. Many more than we'll be able to eat. My wife is going to dry some, and I'm thinking about getting out the cider press. I don't know what kind of cider they will produce, but I won't know unless I try.
    • 23 Jun 2016  WASHINGTON, United States
      I agree with the above. W.P is a better apple, but if you like the snaping texture of crisp (which it holds for a week or so) then this is fresh eating mild apple. Most importantly for me is the Scab resistance.
    • 20 Sep 2011  WISCONSIN, United States
      Redfree are nice early season eating apples. The flavor is balanced sweet with a bit of zing but very mild over all. The best feature of these apples are their outstanding texture when eaten out of hand. Redfree apples are a simple refreshing treat that has built disease resistance. I prefer William's Pride to Redfree. W.P. is also an early dessert-quality apple with disease resistance but seems to have something more to the flavor than just sweet. I say try both!

    Tree register

    United States

    Canada

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2012 season

    • June  2012  - tree owned by Patsy in Mont-Tremblant, Canada
    • April  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2015 season

    • August  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States

    2012 season

    • 4th week August  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Raritan x PRI 1018-101
    • Originates from: United States
    • Introduced: 1981
    • Developed by: PRI (Purdue, Rutgers, Illinois Co Op)
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1983-052

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Fruit colour: Red
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Early
    • Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
    • Flavour quality: Good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Discoloration of fruit: No discoloration (Good for drying)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: early September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Good
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Organic culture: Suitable
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

    Other qualities

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

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Redfree apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Redfree:

    United States


    Canada




    References

    • Cedar-Apple Rust  
      Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
      Rated as very resistant - no control needed against CAR.

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