
GoldRush is an attractive smooth-skinned modern dessert apple, specifically developed for scab-resistance. The flavour is good, typical of Golden Delicious but with a bit more acidity. As a relatively new variety there is not much experience yet, but it appears to be good at most of the things Golden Delicious is good at, including keeping well and with excellent juice.
The variety is derived from Golden Delicious as the seed parent, with crosses from several other research varieties including Winesap, Melrose, Rome Beauty and Malus floribunda - the latter being a well-known source of the Vf scab-resistant gene.
More details of the scientific programme that led to GoldRush can be found at the Purdue University website: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pri/coop38-3.html. GoldRush is sometimes known by its programme reference Coop38.
GoldRush makes a good garden apple variety - heavy-cropping, good disease-resistance, winter-hardy, and almost foolproof to grow. Its one drawback is susceptibility to Cedar Apple Rust (CAR).
GoldRush apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for GoldRush
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
- Golden Delicious (parent)
- Rome Beauty
Visitor reviews
- 14 Dec 2019 KENTUCKY, United StatesThis apple is incredible. My new favorite apple. I tried it by chance and had to go on a hunt talking to people to find out what it was. The hunt was so worth it because i now have a full basket of them! Tart but sweet at the same time with a decent amount of acidity is the flavor. You will not regret buying these. Soooo much better than red delicious or golden delicious it’s ridiculous
- 01 Oct 2019 PA, United StatesMy favorite snacking apple. It is very dense and crunchy, and has a very bold taste which is both tart and sweet. Size wise, it's is not too small, and not too big. Finally, it remains available (and crunchy!) throughout winter and even into Spring in Pennsylvania, USA.
- 18 Dec 2018 Eclimeux, Francedécouvert chez un petit pépiniériste du Nord de la France, celle ci présente l'avantage de pouvoir se consommer sur l'arbre tout l'hiver! elle n'en sera que meilleure puisque qu'elle sera moins acide ! l'arbre est de bonne vigueur , de type IV de fructification, la pomme peut présenter des points rouges qui sont une forme de résistance à la tavelure. en revanche à tendance à se friper dès le mois de février dans les caisses même si bien conservée.
- 13 Dec 2018 NEW YORK, United StatesGreat apple for eating and an exceptional Apple for Pies and Crisp
- 17 Apr 2018 LONDON, United KingdomI found a Farm shop here in the UK that had some of these apples for sale. Now its 16th April and was suprised to see an apple available so late. Its a wonderful tasting Apple very tart and sweet.
- 17 Apr 2018 MASSACHUSETTS, United StatesI agree that it is a great apple. I find it to be a little small (thinning doesn't help much), and the apple is not especially attractive. It wrinkles in storage like Golden Delicious, so I plan to start storing in plastic bags.
- 24 Dec 2016 LOUISIANA, United StatesJust tried this apple from a Gift box from Cummins Nursery, Wow, what flavor! Love the sweetness with just enough acid to blend. My favorite apple so far!
- 09 Nov 2016 United StatesFound at fruit stand here in Central VA. Delicious apple, crisp and flavorful. Reasonably priced at 1.29 per pound.
- 06 Oct 2016 VA - VIRGINIA, United StatesA PA based apple grower at my local farmer's market has been selling these the past few years. Probably the best apple I've ever had. Wonderful flavor.
- 25 Nov 2013 Oregon, United StatesOur first crop of Gold Rush was just picked at the end of November here in Oregon. It's already a favorite! Both tart and sweet, with a pleasing late season crunch. Wish we had enough of them to make cider -- time to plant a couple more trees of this variety.
- 26 Dec 2012 NY, United StatesHave an urban garden and am looking at those apples that please me and who's color will not be irresistible to the passerby
- 08 Nov 2012 TX, United StatesWhy on earth would you eat a Golden Delicious when you could eat one of these?! Tried a small one from an organic farm in Kansas in early November. Juicy, crisp, and intensely sweet, balanced nicely by acid.
- 25 Jun 2012 OREGON, UNITED STATES, United StatesWe pick this apple in early November and put it in bags in a detached and unheated garage (that doesn't get too far below freezing). The apples finish ripening off the tree (in our garage) in December and January. We don't bother eating them until January after the flavor develops. The apples are excellent until we run out of them in May. Even when the outside gets wrinkled in later storage, the inside is still juicy and intensely flavorful. Even the wrinkled skin is nice to eat because it's not waxy. We're going to plant more of these trees.
- 08 Jun 2012 VA, United StatesThese are the tastiest apples I have ever tried! The local Farmers Market had samples and I am hooked. It is almost summer and these apples still have terrific flavor. I am wondering if the flavor is still this good so long after harvest, when they are fresh, would the flavor be too intense?
- 15 Feb 2012 NY, United StatesAn excellent apple and an excellent tree for home orchard. Very easy to grow. You will need to spray for cedar rust if you have cedars nearby and they are prone to late summer diseases (Sooty blotch and flyspec) if the weather is wet. Wonderful tasting after storage for 6 weeks or more and stores exceptionally well. Makes one of the best pies I've ever tasted.
- 16 Jan 2011 NW VA, United StatesA wonderful apple in VA, intense flavor and very firm dense flesh that keeps forever. My two young trees seem to be very disease resistant and manageable. Nice deep green waxy foliage like many of the more disease resistant cultivars.
- 01 Dec 2010 PENNSYLVANIA, United StatesGoldrush apples are great here in eastern PA. They are by far the favorite apple of our family. The trees bear young and heavily. A real winner in a backyard orchard.
- 28 Nov 2010 DODDOGNE, Francethis is an amazing apple that we buy by the crate from a local apple farm. Where can we buy some young trees of our own here in France?
- 13 Nov 2010 SC, United StatesTried this apple at Century Farms Orchards in NC. It is now one of my new favorite apples. It is nice crisp apple and is very sweet with a very rich, complex flavor.
- 12 Oct 2010 BRUSSELS, BelgiumWhere can I buy a gold rush apple tree in Belgium?
Tree register
United States
- Aaron Sprague in Woodstock, GA
- Albany Appleguy in Castleton, NY
- Alexander Mir in Redding, CT
- Alistair Reece in GORDONSVILLE, VA
- Amanda Gajdzik in SHELBYVILLE, KY
- Andrew in Broomfield, CO
- Ann Jamison in Summerville, PA
- Ann Jamison in Summerville, PA
- Axel Kratel in Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA
- Bcarp001@Yahoo.Com in PINE CITY, MN
- Ben in Longmont, COLORADO
- Ben in Helenwood, TN
- Brendan in EVERETT, WA
- Brooke Schreier Ganz in Mill Valley, CA
- Cherry Mayo - Goston in Loveland, OH
- Chris in Kennewick, WA
- Chris Thomas in Federal Way, WASHINGTON
- Cory Lusk in Loveland, HAMILTON/OHIO
- Crazyed in Oxford, WI
- Crazyed in Oxford, WI
- Crazyed in Oxford, WI
- Crazyed in Oxford, WI
- Crazyed in Oxford, WI
- Darren Peters in Rock Spring, GEORGIA
- Dave Dangelo in Augusta, MAINE
- David in Wilson, KS
- David Methven in Rural Ridge, PENNSYLVANIA
- David Methven in Rural Ridge, PENNSYLVANIA
- Doreirei in Montevallo, ALABAMA
- Doug Wickert in MADISON, OH
- Eric in Winslow, ARKANSAS
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, CLARK COUNTY WA
- Garth Wermter in Gordonsville, VIRGINIA
- Gary Powers in Woodside, CA
- George Cochran in Maple City, MI
- J.P.Curry in Sturgeon, MO
- James Kulbacki in Cheyenne, WY
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- Joe & Rachel Bender in Albion, INDIANA / NOBLE
- Joe & Rachel Bender in ALBION, INDIANA / NOBLE
- Joel Reigel in Gardners, PA
- Jon Shannon in Shaw Island, WA
- Jon Shannon in Shaw Island, WA
- Jonathan Bastedo in YUCAIPA, CA
- Juan Casero in PALM BAY, FLORIDA
- Justin in INDIANA
- Kamala Simonton in COLUMBUS, IN
- Kathy Guthrie in Midlothian, TX
- Kathy Guthrie in Midlothian, TX
- Katie Kranich in Elkton, MARYLAND
- Kekozlow in WHITING, IN
- Kelsey l Naffziger in BEAVERTON, OR
- Kelsey Naffziger in BEAVERTON, OR
- Kevin Cooke in STERLING, VA
- Kretschmann Family Organic Farm in ROCHESTER, PA
- Larry Landis in CORVALLIS, OREGON
- Luke Rathbun in Pittsburgh, PA
- Marcus Schoenherr in Kalamazoo, MICHIGAN
- Mark A. Rock in Columbia Station, OHIO
- Mark A. Rock in Columbia Station, OHIO
- Mark Bartel in Hagerstown, MARYLAND
- Mark Gallagher in Harvest, ALABAMA
- Matt Cupp in Reynoldsburg, OHIO
- Matthew in Mechanicsburg, PENNSYLVANIA
- Michael Bell in Morgantown, KY
- Michael Le Boulluec in Glen Rock, PA
- Mike in Pennsylvania (south-central)
- Mike Prohaska in Lansing, MICHIGAN
- Monika Bawdon in Denver, CO
- Nancy Crossley in Oxford, MICHIGAN
- Nathan Parker in Mount Shasta, CA
- Nathan Shackelford in Aurora, IL
- OrangePippin-Scott in Traverse City, MI
- Paul Gerrish in Newbury, MA
- Paul Gerrish in Newbury, MA
- Paul Gerrish in Newbury, MA
- Paul Gerrish in Newbury, MA
- Peter in Johnson City, TN
- Phillip Hatcher in Sand Springs, OKLAHOMA
- Phillip Hatcher in Sand Springs, OKLAHOMA
- Phillip Hatcher in Sand Springs, OKLAHOMA
- Randall Cherry in Reading, PENNSYLVANIA
- Randy Anderson in MONTICELLO, KY
- Rex Callis in Pittsboro, IN
- Rick Simoniello in Storrs / Mansfield, CT
- Rob Bryant in MONTICELLO, IN
- Roger Cansler in Bolivar, MISSOURI
- Roger Miller in Madison Heights, VA
- Roger Miller in Madison Heights, VA
- Ron Davis in CHUCKEY, TN
- Ron Fischer in Orion, IL.
- Ryan in STERLING, NY
- Scott Atkins in PORTLAND, OR
- Scott McElhaney in Camas, WASHINGTON
- Shawn in Brevard, NORTH CAROLINA
- Stephan Orchard in Westfield, INDIANA
- Surik Mehrabyan in ITHACA, NEW YORK
- Terry Graham in Tumwater, WA
- Thomas Griffith in Cottage Grove, WI
- Tim Cheney in Walpole, ME/LINCOLN
- Tom in Las Vegas, NM
- Tom Herlache in GRAND LEDGE, MICHIGAN
- Whitney Peters in Sixes, OREGON
United Kingdom
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
France
- BeN62 in Eclimeux,
- Richard Borrie in Objat,
Netherlands
- Cheuk A Lam in Amsterdam, NOORD-HOLLAND
Canada
- Jessica in Gatineau, QUEBEC
India
- Jai Apple Orchards in VILLAGE MEHANA PO DOCHI TEHSIL JUBBAL , SHIMLA, HIMACHAL
Spring blossom records for this variety
2022 season
- 8th May 2022 - tree owned by Monika in Denver, United States
2020 season
- 23rd April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 24th April 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 20th April 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 16th May 2017 - tree owned by Jessica in Gatineau, Canada
- 17th April 2017 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2014 season
- 29th April 2014 - tree owned by Matt in Reynoldsburg, United States
- 24th April 2014 - tree owned by J.P.Curry in Sturgeon, United States
- April 2014 - tree owned by Roger in Bolivar, United States
2013 season
- 21st May 2013 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
- May 2013 - tree owned by Matt in Reynoldsburg, United States
2012 season
- 9th May 2012 - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
- 20th March 2012 - tree owned by Mark in Harvest, United States
2011 season
- 20th May 2011 - tree owned by Ron in Orion, United States
- 31st March 2011 - tree owned by Mark in Harvest, United States
2010 season
- 10th April 2010 - tree owned by Mark in Harvest, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 1st week December 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 3rd week December 2019 - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
- 1st week December 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 4th week November 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 1st week November 2017 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
- 4th week October 2017 - tree owned by Jessica in Gatineau, Canada
2016 season
- 4th week October 2016 - tree owned by Chris in Federal Way, United States
2015 season
- October 2015 - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States
- October 2015 - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States
2011 season
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Seed parent is Golden Delicious
- Originates from: Purdue Research Farm, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, United States
- Introduced: 1990s
- Developed by: Joint breeding programme of Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Yellow / Orange
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Alleles: 2
- Alleles: 28
Using
- Picking season: Very late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more Will store for 6 months in domestic fridge
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter Some sharpness when picked, mellows in storage
- Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Persistent
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Hard cider
- Picking period: mid-November
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour Naturally suited to central-leader training
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Feathers on maiden: Rarely has feathers (whip)
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
- 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)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
- Powdery mildew: Very resistant
- Fire blight: Some resistance
- Cedar apple rust: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer GoldRush apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
GoldRush apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow GoldRush:
United States
Alabama
- Isom Orchards, Athens
Arizona
- Beatty's Orchard, Hereford
Colorado
- Ela Family Farms, Hotchkiss
- Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins
Connecticut
- Autumn Harvest Orchard LLC, Norfolk
Georgia
- Freedom Farms - Apple & Peach Orchard, Chatsworth
- Hillside Orchard Country Store, Lakemont
- Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge
- R & A Orchards, Ellijay
Illinois
- Apples On Oak, Lockport
- Braeutigam Orchards, Belleville
- Christ Orchard, Elmwood
- Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, Champaign
- Jonamac Orchards, Malta
- Kuipers Family Farm, Maple Park
- Liberty Apple Orchard, Edwardsville
- Orchard Ridge Farms, Rockton
- Royal Oak Farm and Fruit Orchard, Harvard *** Feature Orchard ***
Indiana
- Apple of His Eye, Anderson
- Apple Works, Trafalgar
- Cook's Orchard, Fort Wayne
- Crosby's Orchard, Lawrenceburg
- Deer Creek Orchard, Galveston
- Ditzler Orchard, Rosedale
- Doud's Countyline Orchard, Wabash
- G. W. Stroh Orchards, Angola
- Goley's Orchard, Madison
- HighPoint Orchard & Farm Market, Greensburg
- Lee's Orchard, Columbus
- McClure's Orchard, Peru
- Schafer Orchards, Princeton
- Tuttle Orchards, Greenfield
- Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron
Iowa
- Allen's Orchard, Marion
- Countryside Orchard, Lansing
- Wills Family Orchard, Adel
- Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City
Kansas
- Meadowlark Farm, Rose Hill
Kentucky
- Apple Tree (Home of the Scarlett Gala), Cumberland
- Brandywine Orchard, Guthrie
- Eckert | Boyd Orchard, Versailles
- Evans Orchard & Cider Mill, Georgetown
- Hinton's Orchard & Farm Market, Hodgenville
- Reed Valley Orchard, Paris
Maine
- Plowshares Community Farm, Gorham
- Tiny Orchards, Saco
Massachusetts
- Phil's Apples, Harvard
Michigan
- Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Mattawan
Missouri
- Bear Creek Farms, Walnut Shade
- Centennial Farms, Augusta
- Hickory Ridge Orchard, Mexico
- Sunshine Valley Farm, Rogersville
New Jersey
- Alstede Farms, Chester
New York
- Apple Ridge Orchards, Warwick
- Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
- Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
North Carolina
- Creasman Farms, Hendersonville
- Skytop Orchards, Flat Rock
Ohio
- Apple Hill Orchards, Mansfield
- Arrowhead Orchard, Paris
- Bauman Orchards, Rittman
- Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights
- Charlie's Apples at Windy Hill Apple Farm, Newark
- Eshleman Fruit Farm, Clyde
- Fuhrmann Orchards, Wheelersburg
- Hidden Hills Orchard, Marietta
- Hugus Fruit Farm, Rushville
- Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala
- Moreland Fruit Farm, Wooster
- Ochs Fruit Farm, Lancaster
- Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs
- Reaver Farms Orchard, South Charleston
- Rittman Orchards, Doylestown
- Tüken's Farm Market and Orchard, West Alexandria
Oklahoma
- High-Fence Farm LLC, Sand Springs
Oregon
- Beilke Family Farm, Brooks
Pennsylvania
- Brown's Orchard and Cider Company, McDonald
- Holy Root Farm, New Tripoli
- Kauffman's Fruit Farm, Bird-in-Hand
- Miles Orchard (Miles Farm Produce), Coudersport
Texas
- Sonlight Apple Orchard, Mason
Virginia
- Sweet Rose Farm, Blue Grass
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
West Virginia
- Ruggles Orchard, Levels
Canada
British Columbia
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
References
- Cedar-Apple Rust
Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
Rated as highly susceptible - control always needed where CAR is prevalent. - Apples for the 21st Century
Author: Manhart - Some Antique Apples for Modern Orchards, (2008)
Author: Merwin I.A.