Description

Also called crispin apple

Complex and spicy flavor. This tree is the result of a cross between the Golden Delicious and the sweet Japanese variety apple called Indo. Also known by the name Crispin Apple, the fruit is larger and rounder than Golden Delicious. Resists russeting and is best eaten fresh from the tree. Keeps well in proper storage without shriveling. Originates from Mutsu Province, Japan. Introduced in 1948. Cold-hardy. Ripens in late September or early October.

Note: Triploid; cannot pollinate other apple trees.

Survival Guaranteed!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Mid
Chill Hours 500
Fruit Color Yellow Green
Fruit Size Large
Hardiness Zone Range 4 - 8
Pollination Pollinator Required
Ripens/Harvest Late September - Early October
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Texture Coarse
Years to Bear 2 - 5

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

When your tree matures, it will be approximately 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide.

Recommended Spacing

We recommend spacing these trees 12 - 15' apart to ensure room for growth.

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 4 - 8
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 compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

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.

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.

Tags

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Questions & Answers

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22 Questions
Why did you choose this?

Local grower sells a limited supply each autumn. Ate the last 1 in late March-stored really well in unheated garage, Zone 6b. Best taste & texture-love this gem.

Trying something new.

My favorite apple in the world!

Interested in Japanese aspect of fruit

Is a Gala apple tree a good cross-pollination tree for the Mutsu?
Is Mutsu a good pie apple? How about disease resistance?

Cathy,
Matsu is cross between a golden delicious and a Japanese Indo Apple. My dad had about 60 different apples trees. I have a new tree not bearing yet. But when I was a teen I remember making excellent cider with this Apple. It is also wonderful for baking my mother use to make Apple pizza and Apple cobbler with this Apple.
Far as disease resistance it depends on how much you spray and what area you live in United States. Look into it I would highly recommend this Apple you will not go wrong.

Will granny smith polinate mutsu ?

Yes these will pollinate together as they both are mid season bloomers.

is it too late to plant this tree on June 1?

We appreciate you reaching out to us. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.

You can plant new plants and trees:
1) when the ground is not frozen.
2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF.
3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!

Are the mutsu apple trees grown organically?

I don't think it matters whether the seedling is grown organically or not ...
when you plant the seedling you can begin using organic methods and if the insects haven't destroyed the plant you'll begin harvesting organically grown apples within 3 to 5 years.

How do I store the fruit?

They may not stay crisp as long as some apples, but probably the best in refrigeration.

Price of extreme bare root matsu apple tree?

That will depend upon which option you choose. Please see the "Choose an option" dropdown menu near the top of the page, which will show you the various sizes/options that are available.

Yes  I  have a myra fuji  how far does the Mutsu did to be away from the  myra for them both to survive if I keep them pruned the mutsu will be  semi dwarf  and the myra is dwarf ?

We recommend planting within 50 feet for proper pollination.

Hi I have a Myra Fuji and a candy crips  both from you The Fuji is doing great but the candy crips  just looks black with no growth at all  I would like to replace the candy Crips with the Mutsu  Apple  as I heard it is also able to pollinate my Myra Fuji    need  email ?  of so I can send you pictures     also  my  Rainer cherry  no  leaves  any ideas about that one

Please send us some photos of your tree so that we can try to help figure out what is going on. If you need replacements, we will need photos too. You can contact us to file a warranty claim by clicking here.

www.starkbros.com/about/help/email-support

I would like to plant a Mutsu tree and a honey crisp. Will these 2 varieties work together?

Yes these trees should pollinate one another as they are the same Mid season bloom.

Customer Reviews

17 Ratings
4.5out of 5 stars
17 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 71% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 24% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 0% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 0% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 6% of reviewers

1-10 of 17 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 16, 2025
Mitsu Apple
Tree produced a good crop of apples last year , as for taste and cooking it comes close to my older Northern Spy trees
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 16, 2025
Great Tree Great Potential
My tree is doing great. I can't wait to see it grow and produce.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 2, 2025
Tree came in excellent condition and is growing well at the center of my potager.
It's leafed out, healthy and thriving.
I couldn't be more pleased.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 2, 2025
5 Years in from planting..hoping for fruit this year but a VERY healthy tree!
I live in Maine and planted at Mutsu from stark 5 years ago, its very healthy but still has not produced fruit yet. Looking forward to when it does!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 4, 2024
Good so far.
Tree is doing ok. I potted it and so far so good. Hopefully we get some apples from it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 6, 2024
Good quality
Our trees arrived in great condition. They are growing well!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 12, 2023
very healthy bare roots.
very pleased, the trees (bare root) looked very healthy after opening the shipping. with alittle pre-care, planting was easy. as soon as the bare roots were planted they took off incredibly fast growing and are exceptionally healthy. My assumption is they like Green Mountain Forest soil. I must have absolutly bought these at the best time to plant in for the trees and in vermont.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 30, 2022
Tree is great as expected. Arrived in great shape and is growing well Have had for a couple of years so expect a few apples this year. Will order here for future needs.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 4, 2017
Great
They do not call this the million dollar apple in Japan for no reason. Great apple.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 2, 2016
Mutsu Apple
Mutsu has become my favorite apple for fresh eating. It is big and exceptionally sweet. So I planted one that I ordered from Stark Bros and when it arrived, it was well pruned and a very healthy tree. The tree is growing exceptionally well and I look forward to the day it begins to bear.