Monty's Surprise was discovered growing as a seedling tree in the North Island of New Zealand in April 2000 by Mark Christensen. They noticed the apples had a good flavour, and the tree seemed very healthy despite the apparent great age. Experts determined the tree was about 80-90 years old, suggesting the seedling tree had started growing around 1910 - 1920.
Of course it is not particularly unusual to find an old seedling apple tree with nice apples. However chemical analysis of the skin, flesh, and juice of the apple, now known as Monty's Surprise, suggested that it had very high levels of various flavenoid compounds which fight disease, both in the tree, and potentially in humans. Mark Christensen helped to setup an organization called Heritage Food Crops to promote research, and to fund production of Monty's Surprise apple trees.
USDA identification images for Monty's Surprise
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.
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Tree register
United States
- g Joseph Jordan in WEST CHESTER, PA
New Zealand
- Tim in Upper Hutt,
- Trevor Courtney in Christchurch, CANTERBURY
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: New Zealand
Identification
- Country of origin: New Zealand
- Period of origin: 2000
- Fruit colour: Orange flush
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
- Flesh colour: White
- Fruit size: Large
- Fruit shape: Round
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Good
- Cooking result: Textured puree
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Dual purpose
- Picking month: September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Upright
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Fire blight: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Monty's Surprise apple trees for sale:
- Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Monty's Surprise apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.