Discover Arbor Garden Centre and Nursery's Beautiful Plants

The Haralson apple tree is a rugged, cold-hardy variety celebrated for its reliability, sharp flavour, and exceptional performance in northern climates. Developed in the early 20th century by the University of Minnesota, it originated from a selected seedling believed to be derived from the heirloom Malinda apple, reflecting the university’s long tradition of breeding apples suited to harsh winters. Named after Charles Haralson, a superintendent at the university’s fruit breeding program, this cultivar was introduced in the 1920s and quickly became a staple for cold-region orchards. Its genetics contribute to its exceptional winter hardiness, firm texture, and pronounced tartness, making it especially prized for baking and cider. Haralson apples are medium-sized, crisp, and juicy, with a bold, tangy flavour that improves in storage. The tree is moderately vigorous, highly productive, and dependable, offering consistent yields even in challenging climates. 

Pollination: Apple trees are not self-fertile. Plant two or more apple trees of different compatible varieties within 15–30 m (50–100 ft) to ensure proper pollination and fruit set. Haralson pairs well with cold-hardy pollinators such as Honeycrisp, Cortland, Chestnut Crab, and other mid-season bloomers.

Flowers Blossom: Mid spring

Fruit Ripens: Mid to late September

Fruit: Medium-sized apples with red to deep red skin over a greenish-yellow background. Flesh is white, firm, and very crisp with a distinctly tart, tangy flavour.

Usage: Excellent for baking, pies, sauces, and cider. Haralson apples hold their shape well when cooked and develop a richer flavour after short storage.

Tree Characteristics: Moderately vigorous, extremely hardy, and highly reliable, producing consistent crops even in short growing seasons. Well-suited to cold northern regions.

Hardiness Zones: 3–7

Light Requirements: Full sun

Soil Requirements: Well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0

Average Height: 3.6–5.4 m (12–18 ft), depending on rootstock

Maximum Height: Up to 6 m (20 ft)

Spread: 3–4.5 m (10–15 ft), depending on pruning and rootstock

Growth Habit: Upright to spreading with a strong, structured canopy

Growth Rate: Moderate

Ontario Native Status: Introduced (developed in Minnesota, USA)

Best Ontario native plants to grow around apple trees:

• Ground Cover (Shade Tolerant):
  • Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): Excellent ground cover that acts as a living mulch, attracts bees, and produces small edible fruits.
  • Blue Violet (Viola sororia): A low-growing, shade-tolerant plant that thrives under the canopy.
  • Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis): A native ground cover that handles shade and helps suppress weeds.
• Pest Repellents & Attractors (Beneficial Insects):
  • Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum): A native allium that repels pests (like aphids) and attracts beneficial insects with its strong scent.
  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Attracts beneficial insects that feed on pests.
  • Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): Excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial predatory wasps.
  • New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis): High-value pollinator plant.
• Soil Improvers & Habitat:
  • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): Good for shade and beneficial insects.
  • Lupines (Lupinus perennis): Fixes nitrogen in the soil to feed the apple tree. 
  • Other Tips for Apple Tree Guilds:
• Spring Bulbs: Plant daffodils around the drip line to deter deer, rabbits, and voles.
• Chop-and-Drop: Use native plants like comfrey (non-native, but excellent) or goldenrod (native) to cut and lay down as mulch to build topsoil.
• Spacing: Place plants near the drip line (outer edge of branches) to minimize competition with the tree's roots, especially for young trees.