SCIENTIFIC NAME: Malus domestica 'Winesap'

COMMON NAME: Winesap 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: 5-9

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Loamy & well drained soil

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

BLOOM TIME: Midseason - Flowering Group 3

HARVEST TIME: Late-midseason, ripens late September to late October

FRUIT: Medium-sized apples with a base skin color of yellow-green, mostly covered with red blush and striping. The apple's yellow flesh is dense, crisp, and crunchy in texture. it turns brown shortly after being cut. The apples have a complex and balanced sweet-tart flavor, and their spice-like aroma and slight savory note make them ideal for culinary use and cider making.

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): Colonnade Golden Sentinel, Colonnade Scarlet Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Russet, Golden/Yellow Delicious, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Wolf River

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

CARE: Prune while the tree is dormant. Remove water sprouts in June or July. Thin fruitlets in June to encourage larger apple size. 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 general resistance, resistant to cedar apple rust and powdery mildew, somewhat susceptible to fireblight, susceptible to scab.

USES: Cider, juicing, cooking, eating fresh

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