It’s no mistake that since the early 1800s, when John McIntosh stumbled upon a chance wild seedling that bore what he called “the finest fruit since time immemorial,” this apple would go on to become one of the world’s best-selling varieties.

McIntosh apples are crisp, sweet with a slight tartness, and exceedingly refreshing. It’s one of our all-time favorite apples—especially when grown in the Bitterroot Valley, and even more so when it comes from Al and Mary’s Frost Top Orchard in Corvallis (seriously, go buy apples from them in the meantime!).

It’s also one of the most aromatic apples you’ll ever bite into. But we digress—in the words of famed horticulturist William Tyrrell Macoun, “McIntosh needs no words of praise.”

Hardiness and Rootstock

McIntosh is hardy to -40°F, making it a solid choice for many colder regions.

For Spring 2025, our McIntosh trees are grafted onto M7 semi-dwarf rootstock, which is also hardy to around -40°F and produces trees of manageable size.