Bred at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and introduced in 1973, Trailman is a cold-hardy apple crab that consistently produces heavy crops of small, orange-peach-colored fruits (1–1.5” in size). It’s a cross between Trail and Osman, and one of the best-performing applecrabs we've seen for extreme northern climates.

Flavor Profile

Don’t let the size fool you—Trailman packs a punch:

• Sweet with a bold tart kick – might be a bit much for some early on, but if left to ripen longer, it mellows into a sweeter, nuttier profile

• Has a flavor somewhat similar to Chestnut Crab, with a nice crunch

• Likely a great addition to hard cider blends

Cold Hardiness

• Survived -47°F at Ed Schultz’s orchard near Bozeman in 2024 with zero damage

• Estimated hardiness: -50°F to -60°F, making it ideal for extreme cold climates and zone 2+ growers

Rootstock Info

For Spring 2025, these trees are grafted onto M26, which is only hardy to -40°F. If you’re in a colder area, we recommend planting the graft below the soil line. This allows Trailman to grow on its own roots, which are far hardier—essentially making it a full-size, ultra-hardy tree over time.