McIntosh Apple Tree

McIntosh is a classic Canadian dessert apple with crisp, sweet fruit and red skin. The fruit is especially good soon after harvest and is also valued for sauce. ## Fruit and season [Washington State University’s McIntosh profile](https://treefruit.wsu.edu/variety/mcintosh/) records its Canadian origin, red fruit, crisp-sweet flavor, early harvest, and storage potential. Utah State University Extension lists McIntosh as an early-to-mid-season bloomer, with October ripening and USDA zones 5–8 along the Wasatch Front. Harvest timing depends on local conditions; the fruit is best soon after picking. ## Site and pollination Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. McIntosh needs pollen from a different apple variety flowering at a compatible time; two McIntosh trees will not pollinate each other. Match a pollination partner to local bloom periods. Utah State University Extension explains how rootstock affects mature size, so the final height and spread depend on the rootstock and pruning form. ## Maintenance Water regularly while establishing and through dry spells, while avoiding standing water. Train and prune the tree according to its rootstock and chosen form. Thin heavy fruit clusters after bloom when needed, and consult local extension guidance for pollination, pest management, harvest maturity, and storage.