Yellow Transparent was imported from Russia in 1870 to provide the American frontier with a cold-hardy, reliable apple—especially in regions where Midwestern apples fell short. These trees are tough as nails, known for thriving in droughty, poor soils and brutally cold winters. They've been feeding homesteaders in Montana and the West for over 150 years with dependable crops of disease-resistant summer apples.

Flavor & Culinary Use

While not prized for long storage (it goes mealy quickly, like many summer apples), Yellow Transparent excels as a culinary variety:

• Apple sauce superstar: In 2024, Elizabeth made dozens of jars from a single tree—everyone raved.

• Flavor off the tree (Luke’s 2024 tasting notes):

  “Very perfumy. Perhaps second only to McIntosh for its floral aroma. Tart but actually quite pleasant. Very floral tasting, matching the aroma. Lovely flavor overall.”

Harvest & Heritage

• Ripens mid-August in Missoula (2024 harvest was on August 14).

• Not the earliest summer apple, but still very early.

• According to the Western Ag Research Center in Corvallis, MT:

  “Commonly grown by homesteaders and listed in 1901 First District reports (Dawson, Carbon, Rosebud, Yellowstone, Sweet Grass). Old-timers just call it ‘Transparent.’ Heritage trees still exist across Montana.”

Cold Hardiness

• Hardy to -50F or colder—possibly even -60F.

• A true Zone 2 apple, and proven performer in even Montana’s harshest climates.

Rootstock & Growing Tips

• Grafted onto M26 for Spring 2025, which is only hardy to -40F.

• If you live where temps dip below -40F, you can still grow this tree—just bury the graft so the tree can root on its own hardy genetics.

• Will become a full-size tree (20–30 ft.) if left unpruned.