Monroe Chat

I am looking to plant a couple of these trees. Anyone have any of these yet?

Description
Honeycrisp is a moderately vigorous tree with a somewhat spreading growth habit. It appears to be well suited to a central leader training system, although the leader may require staking or some fruit removal due to early bearing. The tree is a reliable annual bearer and has shown good precocity on dwarf rootstock.

Honeycrisp apples are oblate to roundly oblate in shape and 2-3/4 to 3-1/2 inches (7 to 9 centimeters) in diameter. Stems are approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long and moderately stiff. Skin color is 60 to 90 percent distinctive mottled red over a yellow background. A nearly solid red coloration develops only if the fruit is well exposed to the sun. The fruit surface has shallow dimples and numerous, small lenticels (dots) with green russeting at the stem end.

Honeycrisp fruit is characterized by an exceptionally crisp and juicy texture. Its flesh is cream colored and coarse. The flavor is sub-acid and ranges from mild and well-balanced to strongly aromatic, depending on the degree of maturity. It has consistently ranked as one of the highest quality apples in the University of Minnesota sensory evaluations.

Honeycrisp fruit has shown excellent storage characteristics. The outstanding flavor and texture can be maintained for at least six months in refrigerated storage without atmosphere modification.

Performance
Honeycrisp apple's harvest season ranges from September 15 to October 10 in east central Minnesota. Optimum harvest usually occurs in the fourth week of September, approximately one week after McIntosh and 2-1/2 weeks before Red Delicious. Earlier harvested apples are generally mild in flavor, while fruit from later harvest dates may be strongly aromatic.

Honeycrisp apples ripen evenly and hold well on the tree. They can be harvested over an extended period or in a single picking. Although fruit adherence is usually good, trees with excessive crops may show some fruit drop. Thinning of heavy crops is advised since overcropping may also adversely affect flavor and fruit quality.

Honeycrisp blooms in the early to middle part of the apple flowering period. It produces viable pollen that has successfully fertilized numerous other cultivars in experimental hand pollinations.

Honeycrisp does not carry any known exceptional resistances to diseases or insects. Apple scab and cedar apple rust lesions have been observed on the leaves but these diseases have been readily controlled with a standard spray program. It has shown moderate susceptibility to fireblight. Supplemental applications of calcium may be useful in preventing bitter pit.

Origin
Honeycrisp was produced from a 1960 cross of Macoun and Honeygold, as part of the University of Minnesota apple breeding program to develop winter hardy cultivars with high fruit quality. The original seedling was planted in 1962 at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center, located near Excelsior in east central Minnesota. It was selected in September 1974 and evaluated as MN 1711 at locations in Excelsior, Morris and Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and at Geneva, New York.

Explosively Crisp!
The Honeycrisp Apple, also known in Europe as the Honeycrunch Apple, is one of the University of Minnesota's best apples. They are widely grown around the world. Millions have been sold to people who love the well-balanced sweet-tart taste, and explosively crisp, juicy texture.


Honeycrisp was named the Minnesota State Fruit in 2006. This honor was bestowed for several reasons. It is a great tasting apple. It is a very popular apple. And, it helped revive a declining apple growing industry and brought much needed revenue to small to medium sized, family-run orchards. Because of the broad appeal of Honeycrisp's flavor and texture, it sells at a premium price.

The Honeycrisp Apple was even selected as one of the top 25 innovations in over a decade in the 2006 Better World Report. This report, by the Association of University Technology Managers, honors significant academic research and technology transfer that has changed our way of life. It honors developments that have made the world a better place.

One of my favorite apples. I'll see if I can come up with a source. Might be mailorder, and it might be a bit late for this year...

Absolutely one of the best apples that I have ate and baked with. Wish I had a good place for a tree.

Ooooh, I don't think I've ever eaten a 'honeycrisp' ..... I'll have to peruse

I never had them until about a year ago, when I was looking for a good apple to include in my apple cinnamon muffins. Needless to say, we don't get any other kind now.

HRHPatey wrote:Ooooh, I don't think I've ever eaten a 'honeycrisp' ..... I'll have to peruse

UPDATE:

I've been able to find several online sources for Honeycrisp trees (google: honeycrisp apple trees for sale), and four places in Ohio one could visit to pick Honeycrisp apples (Tükens Farm Market and Orchard in West Alexandria, and Peifer Orchards in Yellow Springs being the closest). Still looking for a local (how far are you willing to drive, Tracy?) source.

I am interested in planting a few Honey Crisp apple trees. Any one on here have experience with growing apples?

monroegardener wrote:UPDATE:

I've been able to find several online sources for Honeycrisp trees (google: honeycrisp apple trees for sale), and four places in Ohio one could visit to pick Honeycrisp apples (Tükens Farm Market and Orchard in West Alexandria, and Peifer Orchards in Yellow Springs being the closest). Still looking for a local (how far are you willing to drive, Tracy?) source.

I have some room and would like ot get maybe up to four of them planted. I have been buying thios apples now for about 2 years. Krogers is not getting a nice supply during the SEASON. These apples can be stored in a cool place and last longer then other brand apples. If you have not tried them i would recommend you do. Great for cooking and wonderful taste. I cut up and put on my salads

I wish I had room for a few trees.....that'll be on the list for the next house.

Those are indeed very tasty apples. My personal favorites are 'Winesap.'

One of my work colleagues tells me he saw Honeycrisp trees available at either a Lowes or Home Depot near Ridge Road in Cincinnati. Could be worth a call.

Home Depot
3400 Highland Ave, Cincinnati, OH‎ (513) 631-1705‎
Lowe's
5385 Ridge Ave Cincinnati, OH (513) 731-6127

There's also a nursery by the name of Baeten's in Union Kentucky that may have them.

Baeten's Nursery and Greenhouses
64 Frogtown Rd, Union, KY‎ - (859) 384-4769

Thank you for the information.

You have good taste Tracy - HAHAHA! Honeycrisp apples are fantastic. Normally very expensive, as well. We drive all the way to Bucyrus to buy ours. YUM!

Mom has several fruit trees in her yard. Apples (we have no idea what kind yet), pears, lord knows what and cherries that are finally turning red!

Was there any luck in locating or planting these???

We love the honeycrisps. As we do not have a good spot for a tree currently, we would like to have one at our next house (if/when that occurs).