Macoun Apple Tree

Macoun is one of the most celebrated dessert apples ever developed — a northern favorite with a devoted following among apple connoisseurs who consider it among the finest apples for fresh eating. Developed in 1923 at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York, it’s a cross between McIntosh and Jersey Black that combines McIntosh’s beloved aromatic sweetness with improved firmness and eating quality. Cold hardy, September-ripening, and a licensed Cornell University variety, Macoun is a standout choice for home orchardists in Zones 4–8 who want exceptional flavor above all else.

The Dessert Apple Standard

Macoun’s reputation is built entirely on flavor — and it delivers. The medium-to-large fruit has deep red skin over a green background and bright white flesh that’s crisp, juicy, and richly flavored with a sweet, slightly tart balance that’s immediately impressive. It carries the aromatic McIntosh character forward with more structure and firmness, resulting in an eating experience that apple lovers consistently rank among the very best. It’s best enjoyed fresh — Macoun has a shorter storage life than most varieties, which only adds to its appeal as a true seasonal treat worth anticipating each September.

A Lineage Worth Knowing

Macoun’s flavor didn’t happen by accident. Its McIntosh × Jersey Black parentage brings together two strong flavor contributors — the aromatic sweetness of McIntosh and the richness of Jersey Black — into a variety that exceeds both parents in eating quality. A century after its development at Cornell, it remains a staple of northeastern orchards and a benchmark for dessert apple flavor.

Cedar Apple Rust Resistant

While Macoun benefits from good site selection and airflow to manage scab and fire blight pressure, it carries notable resistance to cedar apple rust — one of the three most common apple diseases — reducing overall disease management demands for home growers in regions where rust is present.

Why Growers Choose Macoun

• Considered one of the finest dessert apples available — exceptional fresh-eating quality
• McIntosh × Jersey Black lineage — combines aromatic sweetness with improved firmness
• Developed at Cornell in 1923 — a century of northeastern orchard tradition
• Cedar apple rust resistant — practical disease resistance for home growers
• September ripening — a true seasonal treat at peak fall flavor
• Organic options available — for growers who want a certified organic tree

A licensed variety of Cornell University.