SCIENTIFIC NAME: Malus domestica 'Liberty'

COMMON NAME: Liberty Apple

GARDEN SIZE: Depends on root stock - Dwarf 8-10 ft. tall and wide, Semi-Dwarf 12-15 ft. tall and wide, Standard/Full 15-20’ tall and wide, Espalier varies with culture

USDA ZONE: 4-8

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Loamy & well drained soil

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

BLOOM TIME: Early-midseason - Flowering Group 2

HARVEST TIME: Midseason, ripens mid-September

FRUIT: Medium to large red apples. The skin has a yellow-green base color that is mostly covered by dark red blush and speckled with white lenticels. The flavor is balanced sweet and tart with a vinous or wine-like note, a bit more tart than Liberty’s McIntosh parent. The texture is fine-grained, dense, and crunchy.

POLLENIZATION: Not self-fertile and does not pollenize other apple trees. Needs another compatible tree nearby to produce fruit.

POLLENIZATION (Trees that pollenize this one): Anna, Colonnade Golden Sentinel, Colonnade Scarlet Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji Golden Russet, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Jonathan, Marshall Mac, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Wolf River, Zestar!

POLLENIZATION (Trees that are pollenized by this one): None - this tree has sterile pollen and does not pollenize other apple trees.

CARE: Liberty apples are known for being reliable and easy to care for. Prune while the tree is dormant. Fruitlets often require thinning to avoid a very large crop of very small apples. Remove water sprouts in June or July. Options for controlling pests, bacterial infections, and fungal disease include dormant oils applied early in the season before blooming, scented insect traps, and copper-based fungicides. DO NOT apply insecticides during blooming. This risks harming bees, which are crucial for pollination and fruit production. If necessary, fireblight can be treated with a streptomycin antibiotic spray during blooming. Apple trees need about an inch of water every 7-10 days, though young trees need a little more during their first growing season as they establish roots. If not enough rain has fallen, give the tree extra water by running a hose at a trickle around the base of the tree until the ground is fully soaked (but not for so long that there is standing water). Waterlogged roots can harm apple trees, so don't overdo it!

DISEASE RESISTANCE: Good disease resistance - very resistant to cedar apple rust and scab; somewhat resistant to fireblight and powdery mildew.

USES: Eating fresh, cooking, sauces

TOXICITY: Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide and are therefore toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. The fruit is non-toxic.