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Chieftain apple

/ 6 see reviews
Chieftain
Fruits are medium in size, round, and bright red. Flesh firm, juicy, white. Flavor subacid, milder than Jonathan but more sprightly than Delicious. Dual purpose, high quality. Keeps well.

Chieftain apple identification images

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  • Chieftain
  • Chieftain
  • Chieftain

USDA identification images for Chieftain

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


    Visitor reviews

    • 09 Dec 2020  WA, United States
      I am a backyard grower. I have 5 different trees with a Chieftain being one of them. I planted my Chieftain tree several years ago and have good fully developed fruit two years now. Both years the apples have been very firm and sort of dry. I have eaten them through the harvesting season. I am going to replace this tree this spring with a different variety. My other trees are Pixie Crunch (love x2), Honey Crisp (love), Gold Rush (sort of love), Mutsu/Crispin (Love), Chieftain (don't love, replacing with Rubinette).
    • 21 Feb 2020  MINNESOTA, United States
      Could anyone please comment on the season of this apple? When is it ripe for you? I have one but it hasn't fruited yet.
    • 01 Nov 2019  WI, United States
      One of our favorite apples. Too bad they're so hard to find. The reviewer who says they're mealy likely had over-ripe ones. They do get mealy when over-ripened. If picked at the right time they're very crisp and juicy. These apples are great for cooking and baking.
    • 20 Oct 2019  WISCONSIN, United States
      Gorgeous, deep red skin and pale, creamy flesh. Extremely firm with a slightly mealy texture. The flavor is tart at first but quickly mellows out. I have not cooked with this variety, but with its firmness, I would imagine it holds up to heat very well.
    • 19 Nov 2018  MN, United States
      As Orchard owners, this is one of our favorite varieties. The fruit is sweet, crisp and beautiful with deep red skin and beautiful white flesh. Perfect choice for Waldorf Salad. It is hearty and can withstand colder temperatures than most varieties.
    • 19 Nov 2018  MN, United States
      As Orchard owners, this is one of our favorite varieties. The fruit is sweet, crisp and beautiful with deep red skin and beautiful white flesh. Perfect choice for Waldorf Salad. It is hearty and can withstand colder temperatures than most varieties.
    • 17 Jul 2011  IA WOODBURY, United States
      While I agree in general with the listed traits expressed on this web, I would like to add some more. The Chieftan, while round, has a firm snappy skin, or crispy which ever you prefer. The interior is of a thick very tangy, sweet and crunchy apple to eat. They are great if you have good teeth but to take a bite you need good teeth to snap off a chunk to chew. Either that or use a paring knife for slices. I have made pie, apple crisp and some other food stuffs with these apples and absolutely love them. They make maybe the best apple crisp and apple pies that you have ever tasted. Just cut way back on the sugar as they are naturally quite sweet and you really do not want to drown out the tartness. Try them this way and I bet you will be the rave. There are apple orchards that grow these yearly south of me about 75 miles in Mondamin, Iowa along I-29. Splendid apple. Enjoy !

    Tree register

    United States

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2020 season

    • 13th April  2020  - tree owned by Steven in Turney, United States

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


    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Jonathan x Delicious
    • Originates from: Ames, Iowa, United States
    • Introduced: 1917
    • Developed by: Iowa State University
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1974-053

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
    • Fruit colour: Crimson
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary
    • Picking period: mid-October
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Attractive features: Attractive flowers
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • 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): Some resistance
    • Fire blight: Some resistance

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Chieftain apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Chieftain:

    United States




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