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Summer apples are good because they ripen very quickly - without waiting for autumn, you can enjoy the taste and aroma of fresh fruit. Winter apple varieties have their own fundamental differences, the main one of which is that it is recommended to eat the fruits a few weeks after harvesting. Winter apples are intended for long-term storage, long-distance transportation, processing, drying and fresh sale. Late-ripening varieties have many advantages, but there are also some features that you need to know about at the stage of planting seedlings.
The most the best varieties of winter apples will be listed in this article. Photos with names will also be presented here, brief characteristics each late variety: classification will help determine the specific type of apple tree.
General characteristics of later species
Winter apples, unlike summer ones, are not usually eaten directly from the tree - these fruits must sit for some time to acquire sweetness and aroma.Some types of late-ripening apples only need a couple of weeks, while others become tasty only after months. This fact must be taken into account by the gardener, because he will have to arrange storage for the winter harvest and wait for the biological ripening of the fruit.
During the harvesting period, the fruits must be at the stage of technical maturity, and their taste, aroma and color will appear a little later - already during storage. The warmer it is in storage, the sooner the apples will ripen: starch will turn into sugar, and acids will evaporate during the “breathing” of the fruit.
Another feature of winter varieties is their winter hardiness: as a rule, such trees tolerate even frosty winters well and are not afraid of returning spring frosts (the flowering period occurs in early summer).
Pros of late fruits
Delicious winter apples, stored until spring, and sometimes until next summer, have many more advantages. It is worth having at least one late apple tree in your garden for several reasons:
- the fruits have very good shelf life - some varieties can be stored for up to eight months;
- the crop can be transported to any distance;
- apples ripen perfectly when picked, so you don’t have to wait until winter to harvest;
- the consistency of the pulp of winter varieties is dense, and the peel of apples is thick and durable (the fruits do not lose their presentation for a long time, do not wrinkle or rot);
- the late-ripening harvest is suitable for both fresh consumption and any type of processing;
- the trees have good winter hardiness; their flowers do not fall off after spring frosts.
The only drawback of late-ripening varieties is that you won’t be able to eat the fruits immediately after picking - the apples need to sit for some time to become sweet and aromatic.
Classification of late-ripening species
Among the varieties of winter apples there are those that produce green, red or yellow fruits, and there are striped fruits or those colored with a bright blush. In private gardens and farms across the country you can find old, time-tested varieties or the latest hybrids. The developments of domestic breeders, adapted to local climatic conditions, and foreign innovations, striking with high yield and extreme durability, are popular.
In this regard, there are several classifications of apple tree species with late ripening periods. Most often, these varieties are divided into three groups depending on the maximum duration of crop storage, as follows:
- early winter;
- winter;
- late winter apple trees.
In each of these groups there are dozens of worthy varieties, perfectly adapted to the climate of any corner of Russia. The best and most popular types of winter apple trees will be discussed in more detail.
Early winter species
This group usually includes apple trees, the fruits of which have the shortest shelf life - in well-equipped and ventilated basements the harvest lasts until January-February.
Antonovka vulgare
Green varieties in the winter group are rather rare, because most late-ripening apples are red in color. One of the oldest domestic species, Antonovka, has not lost its relevance to this day.
The tree is well adapted to temperate climates, withstands high humidity, tolerates frost well, and is immune to scab. Seedlings usually enter the fruiting phase after ten years of age. Antonovka produces a harvest every year, the quantity of apples is large - up to 500 kg per tree.
Trees in winter Antonovka tall, with a powerful crown. Medium-sized apples – 150-200 grams. The shape of the fruit is oval-conical, the peel is colored greenish-yellow (at the stage of technical maturity, the color of apples is rich green). The fruit has a good, wine-sweet taste. It is recommended to eat Antonovka fruits no earlier than the end of October, and they can be stored until February.
Honey Crisp
These are beautiful in appearance and very tasty apples of American origin. They are distinguished from other winter species by their unusually crispy flesh. Apples have a dessert, sweet and sour taste.
The fruits are large, cone-shaped, and deep crimson in color.There are dots on the peel that resemble strawberry seeds. The average fruit weight is 220 grams, some apples can weigh more than 350 grams.
The trees grow to medium size, are resistant to scab, and have good immunity to powdery mildew. The yield and winter hardiness of the Honey Crisp variety are also at the same level. The early winter harvest should be stored in the refrigerator, then the apples will last until the last days of February.
Winter group
According to reviews, winter varieties of apple trees are the most popular in Russia - this group includes hundreds of domestic and foreign hybrids. It is customary to call winter apple trees, the harvest from which can be stored until March-April. This means storing fruits in ordinary basements with good ventilation, while in refrigerators with a gas chamber, for example, apples will be stored even longer.
Anis Scarlet
The apple tree was bred by folk breeders from the Volga region; the variety showed itself best on non-chernozem soils. Anise can withstand frosts down to -45 degrees, so it is suitable for almost all regions of the country.
The apple tree bears fruit from 5-7 years after planting, is immune to scab, tolerates drought well, and is undemanding to the composition of the soil. Anise yield is high - about 300 kg per tree.
The trees are powerful and have a spherical crown. The fruits are small, weighing about 65 grams on average. The skin of apples is greenish with a pink or red blurred blush. The pulp is dense, sweet and sour, juicy and crispy. You can store the harvest until spring if you ensure the basement is ventilated and treat the fruits with a special anti-pepper remedy.
Cortland
An American hybrid that has not taken root well enough in Russia due to its low winter hardiness.Cortland is suitable for the southern regions, where it produces average yields, is immune to scab, and tolerates drought well.
Fruiting begins 5-6 years after planting. The fruits are round, slightly flattened. The average mass of apples is 100-120 grams. The peel is colored yellowish-green, there are dark red stains on the surface of the fruit, and a waxy coating is visible.
Cortland's pulp is snow-white, fine-grained, juicy, with a subtle pleasant aroma. The harvest can be stored in the refrigerator until May - the apples remain just as tasty and beautiful.
Welsey
A very popular American variety in Russia. Welsey is pleased with its very good immunity to scab and average winter hardiness - the tree can withstand a temperature drop of up to -25 degrees even without shelter.
The winter apple tree enters the fruiting phase early - in the third or fourth year after planting. It produces a harvest every year, but after that it needs careful pruning. The trees grow quite tall and have conical crowns. The shape of the apples is regular, flat-round. The fruit size is average and above average - about 130 grams.
The peel of apples is dense, yellow in color, and has a crimson blush. The pulp has a greenish tint, juicy, crispy, sweet and sour, aromatic. You can eat sweet winter Welsey apples a month after picking; they are easily transported and can be stored until the end of March.
Late winter species
If you are already planting winter apple trees in the garden, then choose the latest varieties, the fruits of which can be stored until next summer. Late winter apple trees are usually called apple trees, the harvest from which is harvested in the same way - at the end of September or in the first half of October, but apples of these types can be stored until next summer (May-June).
Moscow Winter
An excellent domestic late-winter variety with excellent winter hardiness, high yield, resistance to scab, and early fruiting.
Trees are medium in size, with a dense crown. The apples are very large, the average weight of the fruit is 220 grams. The shape is regular, round-conical, there are no ribs on the fruits. During the picking period, the apples are green, then they become yellowish and may have red streaks on the surface.
The pulp is cream-colored, sweet and sour, with a pronounced spicy aroma. Consumer maturity of the Moscow Winter variety occurs at the end of November. The harvest is stored until the end of spring.
Rossoshanskoye Striped
Good winter-hardy variety of late apple tree, which gives high yields. The tree begins to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting and produces harvests every year. The disadvantage of this winter variety is considered to be instability to scab - you will have to treat the apple tree with special preparations several times during the summer.
The apples are very large - up to 350 grams, their shape is round-conical. The peel is greenish-yellow with a rich crimson blush over the entire surface. The pulp is greenish, very tasty, juicy, aromatic. The crop is stored for a long time and tolerates transportation well.
Columnar trees
The winter columnar apple tree is not that uncommon. These trees are loved for their compact size and amazing yield: in a small area, a summer resident can grow several apple trees with different ripening periods.
Currency
Late variety with very good yield.Apple trees are dwarf (up to 180 cm) and have a compact crown. The trees tolerate low temperatures well, are not afraid of scab, and do not require special care.
The fruits of Valyuta are round, have a yellow skin, with a rich blush over the entire surface. Average weight - about 100 grams. The apples have a sweet and sour taste, a strong aroma, and the flesh is juicy.
Currency begins to bear fruit within 1-2 years after planting. Harvest should be in October, and it can be stored for 3-4 months.
Conclusion
It is difficult to imagine an orchard without winter apple trees. It is these late-ripening trees that produce fruits that can be stored for several months. These winter apples are sold in stores and markets; they are used to make delicious jams and aromatic marmalades. There are many varieties of late apple trees, the most popular of which are presented in this article.
More information about winter varieties of apple trees and the rules for growing them is described in this video:
