White Transparent apple trees

(Papierowka, Saint Jean, Yellow Transparent)

Malus domestica

White Transparent is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

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Picking season: Very early
Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Flowering group: 2

White Transparent is an old Russian apple variety, quite widely grown in Europe (and also in the USA where, confusingly, it is known as Yellow Transparent).

White Transparent has two notable qualities. It ripens very early - often as early as the third week of July. Secondly, it is exceptionally cold-hardy.

White Transparent can be eaten fresh, but the apples are generally quite soft when mature. It is primarily an apple for the kitchen, where it easily cooks down to a light and very smooth apple puree with a good flavour. For cooking it is best to pick the apples slightly green.

White Transparent organic apple trees for sale

Next deliveries: December 2025

11 yeartree on M9 rootstock26.50€
Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
Sold-out
21 yeartree on M116 rootstock27.75€
Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
Sold-out
31 yeartree on MM111 rootstock26.50€
Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
Sold-out
41 yeartree on Bittenfelder rootstock26.50€
Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Bare-root
5Half-standard (2 years)tree on MM111 rootstock41.50€
Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
Collection only - contact us

EU delivery countries

Click here to view estimated delivery charges. We can deliver to most countries in the EU. However our 2-year trees and some pot-grown trees are too big or unsuitable for mail-order and are only available for collection direct from the nursery. Please contact us if you wish to order.

Growing and Training

White Transparent has exceptional cold-hardiness. Its natural vigour seems to help it shrug off most disease problems.

It can lapse into biennial bearing - fruiting only every other year. This seems to be associated with its natural tendency to over-crop. The problem can be managed by aggressive thinning of the fruitlets in early summer in the "on" year. Remove all but one fruitlet from each cluster, and then thin the clusters - it seems harsh but you will get a better crop of better-sized apples.

White Transparent characteristics

Gardening skillBeginner
Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
Flowering group2
Disease resistanceAverage
Picking periodmid-July
Picking seasonVery early
Season of use1 week
Food usesEating freshCulinaryTraditional cookerDual purpose
USDA cold hardyZone 3 (-40C)
Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Country of originRussia
Period of origin1800 - 1849
Fruit colourGreenGreen - lightGreen / Yellow