McIntosh Apple Tree - Malus domestica 'McIntosh'

McIntosh Apple Tree (Malus domestica 'McIntosh')

The McIntosh Apple Tree is a classic choice for home orchards, delivering crisp, juicy fruit with a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity. This variety produces abundantly and ripens earlier than most apple cultivars, allowing you to harvest your own crop within the first year of planting. When you buy McIntosh Apple Trees online from Florida Plant Nursery, you're getting a pre-trained specimen with established branching structure, so fruit production begins faster than standard nursery stock.

Landscaping Uses

Plant your McIntosh Apple Tree in a prominent location where you can easily access the branches during harvest season. This variety works beautifully as a focal point in a fruit garden, along a property line, or in a dedicated orchard space. The tree's moderate size makes it suitable for most residential landscapes, and the abundant springtime blossoms add ornamental appeal before the fruit arrives.

Specifications

Height: 20–25 feet
Width: 15–20 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Sun: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
Water: Regular weekly watering
Soil: Well-draining loam
USDA Zones: 3–8

Why Homeowners Love It

• Produces substantial harvests of delicious apples ideal for fresh eating, baking, and cider making
• Naturally pest and disease resistant, requiring minimal chemical intervention for healthy growth
• Early-season ripening delivers fruit in your first year under proper conditions
• Low-maintenance once established, thriving in most climates without demanding specialized care

Planting & Care

Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and plant your McIntosh Apple Tree by digging a hole slightly wider than the root ball, positioning the tree at the same depth it was growing in its container. Fill the hole gradually while tamping soil to eliminate air pockets, then water thoroughly and apply mulch around the base while keeping it away from the trunk. Water your tree weekly, checking soil moisture 2–3 inches down and adjusting for periods of intense heat or drought. Once the tree becomes established and begins fruiting, perform light pruning during dormant months to remove dead wood, crossing branches, and vigorous upright growth that detracts from fruit production.