{"product_id":"mcintosh-apple-tree","title":"McIntosh Apple Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eMcIntosh Apple Tree brings the aroma and flavor of a classic northern orchard into the home garden. Its medium-size apples ripen with smooth red-and-green skin and juicy white flesh that begins crisp, then becomes tender and melting as the fruit matures. The unmistakable flavor is fragrant, sweet, and brightly tart—excellent straight from the tree and especially beloved in applesauce, cider, and fall baking, where the flesh cooks down readily. Spring blossoms and a spreading canopy add traditional orchard beauty before the fruit colors in early autumn. Gardeners who prefer character and perfume over a hard supermarket-style crunch will understand why McIntosh has remained a favorite for generations. In cool-summer and cold-winter regions, it is a rewarding heritage apple with a welcoming balance of nostalgia, kitchen versatility, and fresh-picked pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMcIntosh is suited to USDA zones 4–7 and has a confirmed 900-hour chill requirement. It grows semi-dwarf on M-111 rootstock and typically ripens around mid-September in California’s Central Valley. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, prune for airflow and sunlight, and harvest promptly as fruit reaches its preferred texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMcIntosh is partially self-fruitful, but a compatible apple is strongly recommended for fuller crops. Confirmed partners include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-red-delicious-bisbee-spur-semi-dwarf\"\u003eRed Delicious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-gala-semi-dwarf\"\u003eGala\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-fuji-red-semi-dwarf\"\u003eFuji Red\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eMcIntosh Apple Tree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium apples with red-and-green skin and white flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor and texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic, juicy, sweet-tart, and tender when ripe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, applesauce, cider, and baking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-September in Central California\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–7\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e 900\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTree size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dwarf on M-111 rootstock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partially self-fruitful; another compatible apple is recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended pollinizers:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-red-delicious-bisbee-spur-semi-dwarf\"\u003eRed Delicious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-gala-semi-dwarf\"\u003eGala\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-fuji-red-semi-dwarf\"\u003eFuji Red\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick as fruit ripens and store cool to preserve its best texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSomething special:\u003c\/strong\u003e McIntosh traces to a chance seedling found by John McIntosh in Ontario in the early 1800s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOrchard Planning Resources\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/bare-root-tree-selection-guide\"\u003eBare Root Tree Selection Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/planting-bare-root-trees-for-beginners-a-comprehensive-guide\"\u003eHow to Plant Bare Root Trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Rdt4TYt4fE0vpvNhXDgewxzwx4hg8xQc8_14DbtDKNc\/edit?usp=drivesdk\"\u003eFruit and Nut Tree Characteristics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/e\/2PACX-1vRTawkXXtycdiTxe58p-gVjdAzuxvNCc7sZ9wri56m0rgvBQIbRObXuK2hSdDHL08ev0R3uzcupme6D\/pubhtml\"\u003eTree Rootstock Characteristics Chart\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Grow Organic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21545002205297,"sku":"FT039","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0061\/1391\/9089\/files\/FT039.jpg?v=1747082772","url":"https:\/\/www.groworganic.com\/products\/mcintosh-apple-tree","provider":"Grow Organic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}