Item Number: FT389
Calville Rogue Apple Tree
Bold flavor, Historic French Heirloom Apple.
Every rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation
Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag.
Calville Rogue Apple – Malus domestic
Semi-Dwarf Apple - Rootstock M111
Historical Significance
Originally hailing from 19th-century France, the Calville Rogue Apple was once celebrated as one of the finest culinary apples of its era. Also knowns as Red Calville, this firm, juicy and sweet apple, with characteristic Calville shape, was introduced to American orchards in 1876 by Felix Gillet. This heirloom was part of a broader effort to bring European excellence to the Sierra foothills. The mother tree still grows today in Humbug—an old hydraulic gold mining town in Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, perched at 3,250' on the San Juan Ridge in Nevada County, CA. It stands as a testament to both the agricultural heritage and the adaptability of this remarkable variety.
How to Grow a Calville Rouge Apple Tree
Climate & Location: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Performs well in mid- to high-elevation sites with cold winters and mild to warm summers. Fruit ripens late, so choose a site with a full-season growing window.
Soil Requirements: Grafted onto M111 semi-dwarf rootstock, which is widely adaptable to dry, wet, or poor soils. Trees mature at 12–16' tall and resist woolly apple aphid and collar rot.
Planting: Select a full-sun location. Plant during dormancy in fall or early spring. Keep the graft union above the soil line. Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed competition.
Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the first 2–3 years. Mature trees are relatively drought tolerant but will benefit from deep watering during fruit set and ripening.
Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to maintain an open, airy canopy. Remove crossing or damaged branches and maintain central leader shape for structure and fruiting wood renewal.
Fruit Production
Pollination: Not self-fertile. Requires a compatible apple variety nearby for successful fruit set. Pairs well with most other mid- or late-season apple trees. Pollinated by bees and other insects.
Thinning: Thin fruit clusters to one apple per group after bloom drop to improve fruit size and reduce stress on branches.
Fertilization: Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Topdress with compost in fall to enrich the soil.
Harvesting
Ripens late in the season—typically November to December—making it a classic winter apple. Fruit is large, deep red, and ribbed with a sculptural form. Flesh is dense, sweet, juicy, and slightly berry-like. When cooked, it holds its shape beautifully while developing a silky, creamy texture ideal for pies and tarts.
Calville Rogue is also a fantastic keeper. When stored in a cool, dark environment, fruit holds its texture and flavor into March.
Conclusion
With its distinctive appearance, intense culinary value, and ties to Sierra foothill history, the Calville Rogue Apple Tree is a rare treasure. Grafted on rugged, adaptable M111 rootstock and introduced to American soil by Felix Gillet himself, this variety embodies flavor, longevity, and legacy in one unforgettable package.
Explore our full Apple Tree Collection.
Learn more about apple cultivation in our Apple Tree Growing Guide.
To learn more about these historical trees, visit the Felix Gillet Institute.
Watch related videos and explore helpful tips in the media section below.
Check Your Zone Compatibility:
Our Guarantee To You
Since 1976, we've served our customers at every stage of growing. Please contact us at any time. We are happy to support and assist you.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI
Shipping Weight: 5.0 lb
Dimensions: 47.5"L x 2.75"W x 7.3"H
Features
Features
- Bare Root
- Requires pollinator
- Suited to Cold Climates
Characteristics
Characteristics
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Useful Information
Useful Information
Guarantee
Guarantee
Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee
* Claim deadline is June 15th
We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com. We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.
If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.
Important Dates:
- April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
- May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
- June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit
All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below
Terms and Conditions
We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.).
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants.
If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.
Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot.
Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee.
Instructions
We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:
Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft.
Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees
If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.
Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees
If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th. Incomplete submissions will be denied.
Required Documentation
- Order number
- Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
- Photos of each tree or plant showing:
- The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
- The scratch test areas
- The entire tree/plant
We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.
