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Liberty Apple
Liberty Apple
Liberty Apple
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Liberty Apple

41 ReviewsAsk Questions
Starting at
$32.99
Each

Description

A prolific bearer that excels where McIntosh won’t. Tree is low-maintenance due to its natural disease resistance to apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight, and powdery mildew. Fruit has a yellow background with attractive red overtones, a crisp white flesh, and a harmonious sweet-tart taste. Perfect for fresh eating, cooking, canning or keeping – proper storage improves the flavor! Originates from Geneva, New York in 1955. Cold-hardy. Ripens in September. Best organic pollinators: Cortland or Whitney Crabapple. Best non-organic pollinators: Cortland, Freedom, or Starkspur® UltraMac™. A licensed variety of Cornell University.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Early - Mid
Fruit Color Red
Fruit Size Large
Ripens/Harvest September
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Taste Moderately Tart
Texture Crisp
Years to Bear 2 - 5
Zone Range 4 - 7

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 4 - 7
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:
Standard 18 - 20' tall x 18 - 20' wide
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:
Standard 18 - 20'
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15'

Pollination

This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Read about how to grow apple trees »

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

Our Promise of Satisfaction

1 Year Warranty

Every order comes with our promise of satisfaction. If you aren't completely satisfied with your order, let us know within one year for a free one-time replacement or refund.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

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Browse 29 questions Browse 29 questions and 90 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Disease resistant
Christian D on Nov 7, 2020
great disease resistance, flavor
Ann B on Oct 31, 2020
Disease resistant
Christian D on Nov 7, 2020
Resistant to diseases
Lori S on Nov 2, 2020
great disease resistance, flavor
Ann B on Oct 31, 2020
Want to add variety to my orchard. All my trees are from Stark Bros. Hope to have apples soon.
Diana M on Oct 31, 2020
Firefight and mildew , Apple scab resistance
GwendolynH H on Oct 24, 2020
Disease Resistance
Andrew W on Oct 21, 2020
I read that it has better nutrition than others
Kenneth B on Oct 16, 2020
pollinator for honeycrisp
vanessa t on Jun 3, 2020
It was available and fits my growing zone
Claudia E on May 29, 2020
We have a problem with cedar rust and Penn State Extension recommended this variety. I was also glad to find it is organic and semi dwarf!
Judy R on May 17, 2020
cold hardy
Suzzanne on May 11, 2020
Based upon your description and advice.
Gerald L on May 10, 2020
Goo for canning and pollinating with cortland
rebecca r on May 9, 2020
Organic and disease resistance
Jennifer W on May 7, 2020
Claim to be disease resistant. Highly rated.
Rolfe H on Apr 29, 2020
Have problems with current variety's in my garden, cedar rust, mold.....this variety and reviews gave me confidence to order this variety so that I might actually get some fruit in the years to come. I am a new Master Gardener and this variety was recommended several times by different instructors in my classes.
Patience L on Apr 28, 2020
To cross pollinate with a Honeycrisp apple
Francis M on Apr 22, 2020
Needed polinator and not much else left
Mike L on Apr 20, 2020
I was looking for cedar rust resistance. I want an apple that is great for eating fresh - excellent flavor and baking/ preserving.
Ashley F on Mar 29, 2020
All round, it looks like my favorite choice
Timothy C on Mar 22, 2020
Recommended for the Seattle area as part of a pair.
Catherine F on Mar 22, 2020
My zone, the description, disease resistance advertised.
Karl K on Mar 21, 2020
Sounded good
Brian S on Mar 16, 2020
on sale
keith n on Mar 16, 2020
New variety to try
Farrol B on Mar 14, 2020
RELATIVELY DISEASE RESISTANT, BLENDS WITH ALREADY FLOURISHING TREES, HARDINESS, WILL IT GROW TALL ENOUGH, QUICKLY ENOUGH TO OUTREACH DEER? (HOPE)
Alfred C on Mar 14, 2020
disease resistance and local origination should help it grow well here
Mark E on Mar 13, 2020
Resistance to cedar apple rot. We have cedar EVERYWHERE!
Juliet P on Mar 13, 2020
Good flavor,tart and excellent price
Mark on Mar 11, 2020
Because of reviews and suppose to be easy to grow and low spraying plus is for my zone.
Judy W on Mar 10, 2020
Reputation for easy growing and disease resistance.
Debora N on Mar 10, 2020
disease resistance, pollination group
Brad D on Mar 9, 2020
I am looking for a pie apple and I hope this one will grow in zone 7B.
Henry R on Mar 7, 2020
disease resistant
Susanne C on Mar 7, 2020
Had one years earlier. It was a great apple
Glen Finley on Mar 7, 2020
Great tasting apple crisp and also baked great
CINDY D on Mar 7, 2020
NEEDED AS CROSS POLLINATOR
Judson R on Mar 6, 2020
liked the name and it was on sale
Heat C on Mar 4, 2020
Fireblight resistance
Jessie H on Mar 2, 2020
Heard it's a good variety.
ML on Feb 22, 2020
Pollinator for Honeycrisp
John S on Feb 21, 2020
It's a variety of apple that I do not have. Plus it was on sale. I couldn't pass it up.
Joe M on Feb 20, 2020
Disease Resistance
BRAD K on Feb 12, 2020
Low spray requirements and price
Janine T on Feb 7, 2020
I need some shade trees, just outside my Sheep fence. The apples that fall inside their fence is a bonus
Susan A on Feb 1, 2020
price
james s on Feb 1, 2020
Trying to plant some Dwarf apple trees
Forrest E on Jan 29, 2020
disease resistance!
David D on Jan 22, 2020
For deer food
Terry J S on Jan 22, 2020
Was a recommended pollinator
Sean C on Jan 20, 2020
Resistant to diseases
Lori S on Nov 2, 2020
Want to add variety to my orchard. All my trees are from Stark Bros. Hope to have apples soon.
Diana M on Oct 31, 2020
Will this cross pollinate with the enterprise apple tree?
Hoosier apple on May 17, 2017
BEST ANSWER: Enterprise blooms far earlier than Liberty; I'm afraid they are not good pollinating partners.
What is the best way to prune the liberty dwarf apple tree? We have had it for around 5 years. Some of the branches are staring to reach out. I have turned a few branches.
Bill M on Jun 5, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Bill, We bought a Liberty semi-dwarf tree. I read on the Internet that pruning a dwarf tree is only a little bit different so all I can do is refer you back to Stark Bros website: http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/successful-tree-pruning/. I would try calling Stark for guidance. Also you can search the Internet for tips about pruning dwarf apple trees. Good luck. We love our Liberty. It bloomed this year and has a couple apples which is mighty soon for produce since we just received it from Stark last year!
What's the best tree to cross pollinate ?
Jay K on Apr 29, 2018
BEST ANSWER: There are dozens of varieties that will successfully cross-pollinate with Liberty; it depends upon what you like. Many people plant Enterprise because of its disease-resistance. Others plant Honeycrisp or Gala because they love the fruit.
Would ornamental crab apple trees serve OK as cross pollinators for the Liberty Apple?
Lea K on Feb 26, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Because ornamental crabapple trees tend to have an early and prolonged bloom period, they make excellent pollinators for other types of apple trees. A crabapple tree is a great pollen source for your Liberty Apple tree!
What size are your Liberty apple trees?
David D on Mar 19, 2020
BEST ANSWER: My two year old trees are about 7 feet tall and healthy. I just pruned them for the first time. They have quite a few fruit buds.
are liberty self-pollinator?
donny appleseed on Nov 11, 2020
BEST ANSWER: No it is not self pollinating and will require another early to mid season bloomer to bear fruit. Such as the Cortland, the Freedom or a crabapple.
What rootstock is it the semi dwarf on?
Thomas T on Oct 25, 2020
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
Is Liberty good for making applesauce?
Kathy W on Sep 5, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Yes - the Liberty apple is perfect for fresh eating, cooking, canning including making apple sauce.
Does Liberty require 2 pollinators (triploidy) or one? I want to use a Chestnut Crabaaple.
John B on Sep 3, 2020
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. This variety requires another Early to Mid bloomer such as Cortland, Freedom, or Starkspur?? UltraMac or a crabapple variety

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
will two of this variety pollinate each other?
michael on Apr 18, 2020
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. No unfortunately you will need another variety that blooms at the same time which is Early-Mid for pollination.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
I dont quite have my area prepared for planting can i put these trees in a container then plant in a couple months?
george B on Apr 10, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I have done this many times. Just make sure they are protected from frost/etc and of course water them.
Are your organic apple trees grafted?
Nina W on Mar 24, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Yes, my Liberty Apple is grafted is grows very well. I planted in Spring 2018 and picked my first apples in Fall 2019. No diseases.
What apples will pollinate the liberty apple?
Richard M on Mar 14, 2020
BEST ANSWER: At least Freedom that I have.
I am interested in the disease resistant apple collection but the recommended pollinators are outside this group of three. Will they pollinate with an existing gala and fuji apple tree that are currently suffering from cedar rust?
Judy E on Feb 9, 2020
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. These varieties have been selected as perfect pollinators for each other.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
what root stock does stark bros use on semi dwarf apple trees ?
Patrick M on Dec 14, 2019
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different root-stocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific root-stock.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
does the Liberty pair well with the Honey crisp for pollination?
Jay S on Oct 30, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Hi Jay - We appreciate you reaching out to us. The Liberty blooms too early to pollinate with the Honeycrisp. I've listed the best pollinators below.

Best organic pollinators: Cortland or Whitney Crabapple.
Best non-organic pollinators: Cortland, Freedom, or Starkspur?? UltraMac???.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
I have a Winecrisp apple tree. Would the Liberty be a good pollinated?
Chris S on May 5, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Winecrisp blooms a little too late for Liberty, sorry.
Will a Liberty, Grimes Golden and an Empire or Jonafree pollinate each other?
Sarah L on May 5, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Liberty is in group 2; Grimes Golden is in group 3; Empire is group 4 and jonafree is in group 1. Sorry to say, but none of these will pollinate the other.
I already have wolf river Apple trees will they cross pollinate with the liberty Apple trees? I also have Granny Smith trees
Max on Apr 20, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Liberty is in a different flowering group than the other two, which are in the same flowering group and will pollinate each other. So the answer is that Wolf River and Granny Smith will be good partners, but Liberty will not pollinate either of those two.
Is liberty a good polinator for empire and honeycrisp??
Dan N on Apr 2, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Liberty is a triploid and is not the best pollinating partner; even to pollinate itself, it needs two other varieties. Empire and Honeycrisp both bloom too late.
Will liberty cross polinate with an already established fuji, honeycrisp or kinderkrisp?
Ashley W on Nov 25, 2017
BEST ANSWER: There is enough overlap between the three varieties' bloom times for them to all cross-pollinate one another.
After I harvest my Liberty apples what is the best temperature to store them?
Lucretia W on Sep 26, 2017
BEST ANSWER: Between 32 and 35 degrees, in a humid environment. You don't want them to freeze, but the closer you can keep the temperature to 32 degrees, the longer they will last.
chill hours for liberty apple?
Rick S on Nov 2, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Liberty requires 800 chill hours.
Can Liberty apple tree pollinate Gala ?
Rose B on Apr 17, 2020
WHAT APPLE TREE GROWS BEST SOILS THAT ARE NOT WELL DRAINED ?
MARK Z on Apr 13, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I planted Liberty in mucky, clay like soil - that I did amend - but still the surrounding soil wasn???t the best. It laughed off those conditions and this its 1st spring in the ground (got it on clearance last summer) is pumping out DOZENS of apples! So far it???s an amazing tree and is now sprouting vigorous new growth. Just be sure and give it plenty of sun.
would a liberty and macoun apple act as pollinators for each other?
SHARON R on Apr 6, 2020

Customer Reviews

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4.5 / 5.0
41 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
30
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Liberty Apple
Great tree! Thanks for carrying it. I do think you should sell in dwarf.
Also, you should tell the buyer what the root stock is. It should not be kept a secret.
May 19, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Lovely Libery Semi-dwarf appple tree
The tree arrived in good condition. It was pruned well and well shaped. In two years it beared eight perfect apples. No disease and I have not sprayed for insects.
June 17, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
more bang for your buck!
I had already planted this tree from another nursery. That tree was described as the same size and caliber so I knew what to expect from Stark Bro's. What I got was a much larger bare root tree from Starks. For example, the 3/8" trunk equaled 3/4 above graft out of the box. Second, the tree I got had been pruned down to just under 48", If it hadn't I'm pretty sure it would have been 6'
Man, I'm just glad their tape measure is wrong!

No really, this is the second order I've made from Stark Bro's and I believe I have the obligation to convey, they have exceeded my out of box expectation both times. Thanks Stark Bro's
May 18, 2016
Heavy producer of tender sweet apples.
The tree never fails to produce abundance of sweet tender juicy apples. The resistance to common apple diseases is a plus especially fire blight which has become a problem in the area due ornamental pear trees on neighboring properties that are infected year after year.
May 15, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
good apple variety
Very good varieties. Though I was a little disappointed that they seem to be a favorite of Japanese beetles.
June 3, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Apple trees
I planted my freedom and liberty trees a year ago. They have grown 3 feet since last year. Very nice trees. Thank you.
August 21, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Rootstock lived, dead from graft union up
I'm very disappointed the rootstock lived, but the grafted tree died. The trees are dead from the graft union up.
May 21, 2017
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Liberty is growing great
bought 2 liberty apple trees last year and they have really put on some great growth! pleased with the quality of this variety of apple tree
August 3, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
2nd spring
Arrived in good shape. Still thriving and growing well in second year!
June 4, 2016
Growing by leaps and bounds!
This is a beautiful tree, growing very quickly and looking wonderfully healthy! I planted it just last Spring and am thrilled with how much it has grown already.
May 13, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago

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