Autumn 2024 planting seasonPre-order now for EU delivery December 2024 - March 2025

Wolf River apple trees

Malus domestica
Wolf River is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

If you are looking for a completely reliable disease-resistant cooking apple, this is it.

Wolf River is a very large culinary apple, with a good tart flavor, dating back to the 19th century. It is best used in the kitchen, and slices will keep their shape when cooked. The flesh is quite dry - a useful quality when baking as it means the pastry is not flooded with too much liquid.

Wolf River applesauce often has an attractive pale pink color. 

This is a fool-proof variety which will keep you supplied with heavyweight apples with little effort on your part.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Wolf River organic apple trees for sale


  • 1 yeartree on MM111 rootstock23.25€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out
EU delivery countries
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
Delivery chargesClick here to view estimated delivery charges.

Growing and Training

Wolf River pre-dates the development of modern disease-resistant apples, but has a high resistance to scab and mildew. It is however somewhat susceptible to fireblight.

The tree is also exceptionally winter-hardy, long-lived and productive. A particular characteristic of Wolf River is that it leafs out very late in the spring.

Be sure to pick the apples before they are fully ripe, as they do not keep.


History

Wolf River was found in the Wolf River valley of Wisconsin, USA around 1875. It is thought to be a seedling of a Russian variety called Alexander.


Wolf River characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • Picking seasonLate
  • Season of use3 months or more
  • Food usesCulinaryJuiceTraditional cooker
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 3 (-40C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899

Similar varieties

  • See also Ascahire
    Ascahire
    A large reliable cooking apple from northern France which is particularly good for juicing.
  • See also Belle de Boskoop
    Belle de Boskoop
    Belle de Boskoop is a popular large dual-purpose apple from the Netherlands.
  • See also Peasgood's Nonsuch
    Peasgood's Nonsuch
    Peasgood Nonsuch is a highly-regarded old-fashioned English cooking apple.
  • See also White Transparent
    White Transparent
    A traditional early-season dual-purpose apple, which is also very winter-hardy.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.