Honeycrisp Apple Tree

16 years ago

Hi.

I was thinking about planting a Honeycrisp Apple Tree and was wondering if anyone here had any experience with it, good or bad? I love the fruit and it would be great to grow my own. I assume I would have to plant at least two.

thanks,

jasper

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Embothrium
16 years ago
Two important steps are finding out if it is adapted to your climate and which other cultivars adapted to your climate will fertilize its flowers. Cross-pollination is accomplished by planting two different kinds of apple trees that are cross-compatible, not two of the same kind - which with grafted clonal cultivars are just two different pieces of the same tree.

On those occasions when a pollen-sterile cultivar such as 'Gravenstein' is planted two additional kinds may need to be planted to achieve cross-pollination.
tedb_threecedarfarm
16 years ago
Honeycrisp was developed by the U of Minnesota, and is well adapted to the area. However it seems to not be recommended for home orchardist generally, though widely sold. I don't really know what particular fussyness is problematic though.

I'd look into Zestar!. From the same breeding program and a simliar flavor/texture profile but is regarded as easier to care for. Sweet Sixteen is another favorite with great flavor.

(I have all, but too young to really report on)
Related Discussions
honeycrisps apple tree
Q
Comments (8)
Honeycrisp will grow in many different states. However, it was bred for the north and colors and flavors best in the north. Minnesota, WI, MI do great with it. The results on growing it in Washington and other warmer west coast sites are quite different. Warm nights cause less sugar levels per one report I read. Also, the skin color is poor in these warmer sites! Some of the Honeycrisp at my local grocery store came from the west coast. They look more like a grapefruit than a red apple. Speaking of wimpy growers, I find that Jonathan is also a very low vigor variety. I would never grow it on real dwarfing rootstocks or you will wait years for it to fill out. Even on M7 it was a wimp. We grew it commercially on M11 for best results. I hear Honeycrisp is also a low vigor variety. I purchased two on M7 last year and hope they work on that rootstock. We had such a drought last summer that I cannot tell. Some of my trees I did from chip budding a few years ago only put out about 6" of new growth last year. I was happy just to keep them all alive during the dry summer we had. Hopefully better growing conditions for 2013.
...See More
honeycrisp apple trees
Q
Comments (12)
I guess I've just been inordinately lucky, because I've not had any issue with my Honeycrisp. My experience with it tells me it has some resistance to CAR, is not excessively bothered by insects (moreso than others), fruits heavily, grows rather nicely and in my opinion is without question the best tasting apple I've ever eaten and I've eaten a lot. It does as cckw has said before tend to get a bit ratty looking towards seasons end...small concession for such an awesome apple. They are also prone to biennial bearing and mine has required thinning some years. I tried last year to not thin in an effort to get smaller apples (HC is a big apple for little kids). That didn't work out at all as they seemed to size up as though they had been thinned. The whole top broke out of mine under the weight of the fruit. That was my fault and even though I seen it coming I didn't act quickly enough. Made the tree ugly as all get out, but it just keeps cranking out apples. Madaily: I've always like the idea of memorial trees, they are a great and useful form of remembrance. Not getting them in the ground will be the first and biggest mistake you could possibly make. Get it in the ground, you can worry about pollinators and such later. Chances are somewhat reasonable you'll get some fruit without planting a pollinator anyway, but it IS something you want to do. I'd guess there is most likely something around your neighborhood that will pollinate it at least marginally being in Z3.
...See More
Strange Foliage Discoloration on my 'Honeycrisp' Apple Tree
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks, olpea, you are correct. Here's a link showing the identical strange mottling that my Honeycrisp is exhibiting. So glad this is nothing to worry about. I'm eyeballing a couple of my pears for Fireblight right now. I think I may prune just to be safe. Sometimes here in our area, very mild infections will manifest in what looks like burnt edges on the leaves. So, two of my pears are showing this - time for the pruners. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: MSU Extension: Regional Fruit Report
...See More
Honeycrisp apple trees on Bud 118
Q
Comments (12)
I have a single Honeycrisp on M26, and it is definitely a non-vigorous tree, which so far seems really nice for my small orchard. Very little pruning so far required. It has, however, grown very large, high-quality apples. I am extremely pleased with the fruit quality. It has also resisted any scabbing on the leaves, but a few apples did have some depressed black spots near the blossom end which is either scab or I don't know what. This tree is becoming my favorite, at least for the earlier season non-keepers.
...See More
Embothrium
16 years ago
For a table...

Here is a link that might be useful: Apples for Minnesota and Their Culinary Uses
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
16 years ago
I have a Honeycrisp, but it is only 3 years old and hasn't fruited yet. No problems growing it here in my alkaline clay. You do need two trees, but not two Honeycrisps. The second needs to be a different cultivar. Now if I could only remember what my second one is...Jon-a-Red maybe?

tj
alexander3_gw
16 years ago
You might get more input on the fruit forum.
jasper_60103
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey. I really appreciate the table and info. I will have to try the Zestar! or Sweet Sixteen. I'm not sure if I had those varieties before, but they sound good.
My family really enjoys the Honeycrisp flavor and my yard could use a couple small/medium size trees.
Btw, my soil is clay and rock! Whatever I plant will have to be hardy.

thanks,
jasper
Beeone
16 years ago
You will want at least 2 trees of different varieties for cross pollination purposes, however keep in mind that bees don't stop at the property line. If there are other apple trees within a quarter mile of you, or even a half mile, particularly flowering crabs, you should have no pollination problems even with a single apple tree or variety if that is all you want. In this case, I think you probably want to plant more, having compatible pollen may make for a bigger fruit set (which will then be thinned later), but you really don't have to make compatibility a serious concern. Plant what you want if there are other apples in the area.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crab Apple Trees Set Off a Stylish English Courtyard

By Jo Simmons

A structure of pleached crab apple trees, bordered by a wildflower meadow, links a minimalist addition to an old house in Buckinghamshire

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crazy for Fruit Trees

By Marianne Lipanovich

Whether a single citrus or a mini apple orchard, even the smallest landscape space can bear deliriously delicious fruit

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

Full Story

TREES 6 Unsung Spring-Blooming Trees

By Andrew Keys

Billowy blooms and rare fragrances will make you wonder how these flowering trees could ever have been underused in landscapes

Full Story

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Strong, Modern Lines Stand Up to the Trees

By Mary Jo Bowling

Modernism takes kindly to the New York woods, with double-height ceilings for openness and a burbling creek for music

Full Story

SPRING GARDENING 7 Spectacular and Practical Spring-Flowering Trees

By Bill Marken

Put on a beauteous show in the garden with a landscape tree awash in flowers — just do your homework first

Full Story

ARBOR DAY 8 Reasons to Plant a Great Tree

By June Scott Design

Beauty is its own reward, but the benefits of planting the right tree in the right place go way beyond looks

Full Story

Honeycrisp Apple Tree

Comments (7)

Embothrium

tedb_threecedarfarm

Related Discussions

Embothrium

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

alexander3_gw

jasper_60103
Original Author

Beeone

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Honeycrisp Apple Tree

Comments (7)

Embothrium

tedb_threecedarfarm

Related Discussions

Embothrium

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

alexander3_gw

jasper_60103Original Author

Beeone

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jasper_60103
Original Author