Roxbury Russet Apple 3-5 ft branched tree

Roxbury Russet was likely brought over as a seed by early European settlers to North America. The flesh is tender and juicy; the brisk, very sweet, and highly aromatic. Prized for fresh eating, pies and sauce, as well as juice and cider. The skin is green, washed with red-brown and with variable russeting. The tree has some resistance to cedar apple rust and fireblight.

Standard rootstock: These trees are grafted onto Antonovka standard rootstock, which produces vigorous and disease-resistant full-size trees. With a little TLC these trees can last generations.

B118: B118 or “Bud 118” is considered semidwarf or semistandard, growing to 85% the size of a standard rootstock tree. Similar to a standard, trees on B118 are vigorous, hardy and need no staking. Trees on B118 will begin bearing fruit slightly earlier than standard roostock trees and are reliably productive.

M7: M7 is a semidwarf rootstock, producing a tree that is 50-65% the size of a tree on standard rootstock. M7 trees are reliably productive, hardy and quick to bear. They may need staking early in life. They’re great where space is tight.

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Apples thrive in Vermont. You need to have at least two different varieties for pollination; however, apples are common enough in Vermont that you can often get away with planting one if a neighbor has a few trees. Wild trees or crab apples growing nearby can also serve as pollinators. More pollen often means more and larger fruit. Plant in a well-drained spot with good sun. We grow and sell varieties that perform well in our climate and growing conditions. Varieties listed as “heirloom” originated before 1900.

If you are planting a few trees, consider selecting varieties with different uses or ripening times. If you are planning to make hard cider, add a cider variety or two to blend with more typical dessert fruit.