Do Wolf River Apples Grow in New Hampshire?

Wolf River Apples

• The "Wolf River" apple (Malus domestica "Wolf River") is named for the location where it was first found, along the Wolf River in Wisconsin. It was discovered in the 1870s and has been selectively grown in cold climates around the United States since. The "Wolf River" apple is known for its extremely large shape, regularly reaching a full pound per apple. The tree grows a moderate 12 to 15 feet tall, but holds a heavy and copious crop. The apple skin is red and smooth, while the flesh is sweet and holds its shape well when cooked, making it a popular baking apple.

Growing Zones

• The "Wolf River" apple performs best in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7. In addition to the hardiness zone, fruits also have a certain number of required chilling hours, or hours the plant will be exposed to temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. These hours work as a sort of stop watch, letting the plant know when winter is over and it can bloom successfully. After the number of hours has been reached, a warm day will spark the buds to bloom. "Wolf River" apple trees need around 1,000 hours of chill to bloom.

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire is in USDA zones 3 through 5, with the center of the state in 4, the northernmost regions in 3 and southernmost in 5. Chill hours in New Hampshire vary depending on the part of the state, but range near 1,000 hours in the center of the state. These two facts mean that the "Wolf River" is an ideal choice of apple tree for New Hampshire growers.

Considerations

• There are a few considerations when planting a "Wolf River" apple in New Hampshire. First, it is a self-sterile apple, meaning that it needs a second tree to pollinate and produce fruit. As a mid-season flowering tree, it needs a partner that will also flower mid-season. A few popular choices are "Honeycrisp" and "Northern Spy." Growers should also be aware that cold snaps back and forth in early spring can damage a crop. If the tree has reached its required chill hours and a week of early-season warm weather arrives, it can cause the tree to bloom. If the weather snaps back to cold, it could kill the blossoms. It is important to protect early season blossoms by covering your apple tree with burlap or a woven tarp to prevent crop loss.