Freedom is another disease resistant variety out go New York’s Ag. Experiment Station. Introduced in 1983 (more than 25 years since they made the initial cross), Freedom has Macoun, Antonovka, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Rome, and Malus Floribunda, the latter of which imparts the VF gene of scab resistance (read more on its official 1983 release here).

A good keeper and solid zone 4 variety, Freedom blooms a few days after Mac and should be ready around the first week of October (Mac is usually end of Sept.). In terms of the flavor, it is sweet and somewhat tart but leaves a bit to be desired. According to Van McIver during one of our taste tests in Fall 2023, “The flavor is there and then gone. It doesn’t stick around long.” Decent apple but not as good as Liberty for the disease resistant apples but worthy of growing for its keepability, disease resistance, and reliably bearing tendency. Zone 4.

These trees are grafted onto semi-dwarf M26 and Dolgo, the former of which will not tolerate -40F temperatures or lower, whereas Dolgo can tolerate much lower temps (-60Fs). However, only go with Dolgo if you are on the fringe near potentially seeing -40F as your minimum winter low. Go with other apple options if you’re in Eastern Montana.