Bitterroot McIntosh Seedlings: Local, Hardy, and Full of Potential

These seedlings originate from local Bitterroot McIntosh trees at Al and Mary Pernichele’s Frost Top Orchard in Corvallis, Montana.

Likely Mac x Spartan Parentage

While we refer to these as Mac x Spartan crosses, they were open-pollinated in an orchard containing only Spartan and McIntosh trees. Although we can’t confirm with 100% certainty that Spartan is the pollen parent, it is very likely.

Genetic Background and Potential

We believe some of these seedlings have the potential to become excellent named varieties. With approximately 75% McIntosh genetics (50% from McIntosh directly, plus another 25% from Spartan—one of whose parents is McIntosh), that leaves only 25% of the genetics unaccounted for.

While apples do exhibit genetic variability, Luke has personally found McIntosh seedlings that have retained many of the desirable traits of the original. At a minimum, these trees could become great cider apples—and possibly more.

Cold Hardiness

Both Spartan and McIntosh are Zone 3 apples, known for their extreme hardiness. As a result, these seedlings are expected to be hardy to -40°F, and possibly even colder.