Loho: You don't say where you are located, critical information for choosing apple varieties, but if you plant E. Spitzenberg you surely won't be bored. You will be busy as hell trying to figure out how to deal with fireblight. I had one and it was history some time ago for that reason. Just a few weeks ago, I took out a Cox's Orange that had been in the ground for 14 years, producing a decent crop in only one of all those years. If you had to choose the one most difficult apple to grow, it would be Cox. And it's not that good, compared to many modern varieties, accepted "heirloom" wisdom to the contrary. 90% or more of the apples crack, most develop a thick, scabby russet, and it doesn't keep very well. As for red-fleshed apples like Scarlet Surprise, expect it to be just plain sour. I have a Geneva Crab here that produces beautiful red-fleshed apples, but so sour that no one would eat one fresh off the tree. We use it for blending in applesauce or cider, where it gives the product a nice, pink color, but that is its only virtue. Apparently, you have eaten Ribston (I have not) or you wouldn't be impressed with it, but I would suggest you not fall too deeply in love with "heirloom" apples until you have tried them in your climate, whatever that is. I have tried a bunch of heirlooms, and the modern varieties like Fuji, Goldrush, Blushing Golden, and Pink Lady are much better for fresh use and storage, and a whole lot easier to grow. Applesauce is a different matter, and we use Yellow Transparent for that very successfully. I still have the saucemaking Yellow Transparent, Kandil Sinap, Pomme Gris, Macoun, Albemarle Pippin, Stayman, and Ashmead's Kernel, all of which have some virtues, but more vices and a lot more problems than the modern varieties in my climate. Ashmead's is good, but keeps only about 6 weeks in refrigeration before becoming mealy, while the Goldrush from a tree growing right next to it has a better flavor and keeps into April in the spare refrigerator. Albemarle Pippin keeps very well, but falls short in flavor compared to the modern varieties, even after storage. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Big Horse Creek Farm in NC sells heirloom apple whips in the fall. www.bighorsecreekfarm.com For spring trees I've gotten nice trees for my espalier from Cummins Nursery in NY. www.cumminsnursery.com

Scott, I really appreciate it, and will certainly contact you this winter. Many thanks! milehighgirl I enjoyed looking over the cummins site, but I really don't want more trees until after the 45 we have fruit, and we decide what we like. Right now I just want to test varieties. Thanks for the input murky. I did see that was a requirement (the fed ex account) it seemed like a very reasonable way of holding their expenses down. Big thanks to everyone who commented. I really appreciate you all taking the time to share those bits of aggravation saving wisdom.

Farmerboy: Sorry, perhaps I read your message wrong. I am near Milwaukee so I no longer get to Gays Mills. Years ago when I lived in SE Minnesota, I went there every fall with friends. Fantastic area as so many large orchards. Of course, things change and a few of those orchards are no longer in business but still a fantastic area with all the varieties of apples they offer. My favorite places were Sunrise and Flemings. The display tree at Flemings with over 20 different apple varieties grafted on it was a sight to see. I also recall some fantastic bargains on seconds on apples as Sunrise. Beautiful NW Greening seconds that were great for pies and at a very low price. My hobby orchard of 20 assorted fruit trees produced 8 bushel of apples last year. Most of the trees are young and non-bearing yet. I have apples, peaches, cherries, plum and pears. In a few years I will have no need to go to my local orchard for windfalls for sauce as I hope to have too many of my own. We have local orchards here but many have been developed into subdivisions the past 15 years, at least until the housing market crashed. Big shortage of orchards here. Gays Mills is worth the drive to anyone near there. I strongly encourage those lucky enough to live near it to go. The absolute best selection and the star apple growing area of WI.