Pacific Northwest Apple Nursery Recommendations

Hello all,

I'm really wanting to plant a McIntosh apple tree, but I'm struggling to find a nursery that carries what I want. I've exhausted my search locally and can't get anything specialty ordered locally either, so I need to order something myself online.

Many nurseries don't ship to Washington State which has been my first challenge. I'm also seeing a lot of "Double Red McIntosh" or crossed varieties and most with dwarfing rootstock.

I would like a plain ol' McIntosh, preferably on the larger side (and I understand I'll be paying accordingly).

This may explain why the McIntosh Apple is hard to find:

Today McIntosh apples are still prevalent in commercial markets, but their popularity has waned in favor of other, more modern cultivars.

https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/McIntosh_Apples_1228.php

I hope someone will be able to help you find a place to buy the tree.

Anne Miller wrote:This may explain why the McIntosh Apple is hard to find:

Today McIntosh apples are still prevalent in commercial markets, but their popularity has waned in favor of other, more modern cultivars.

https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/McIntosh_Apples_1228.php

I hope someone will be able to help you find a place to buy the tree.

This is also my understanding. I've been buying McIntosh apples from an orchard that has exactly one ancient McIntosh tree. The trees are still popular enough to be sold at places like Home Depot... but they're on dwarfing rootstock.

The closest they have is Spartan, a Mcintosh cross, but I would still check out this awesome western Washington nursery:

https://www.burntridgenursery.com/mobile/SPARTAN-APPLE-Malus-domestica/productinfo/NSAPSPA/

Ben Zumeta wrote:The closest they have is Spartan, a Mcintosh cross, but I would still check out this awesome western Washington nursery:

https://www.burntridgenursery.com/mobile/SPARTAN-APPLE-Malus-domestica/productinfo/NSAPSPA/

Thanks for sharing, Ben. I would definitely prefer to buy from some place like this. The mom & pop places just don't show up when I try to search for them on Google.

Have you thought of trying to learn to graft fruit trees?  Ask the place where you buy for a cutting.

https://permies.com/t/63939/Grafting-fruit-trees-tutorials


Or try growing some from seed?

https://permies.com/t/72267/planting-fruit-trees-seed