Wolf River apple trees

Malus domestica

Wolf River is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

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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.

Wolf River organic apple trees for sale

Next deliveries: December 2026

1 yeartree on M9 rootstock26.50€
Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root

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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 periodmid-September
Picking seasonLate
Season of use3 months or more
Food usesCulinaryJuiceTraditional cooker
USDA cold hardyZone 3 (-40C)
Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Country of originUnited States
Period of origin1850 - 1899
Flower colourWhite