Norland Apple Tree

Norland Apple was developed for the kind of winters that eliminate most fruit trees from consideration — a Rescue × Melba cross bred at the Morden Research Station in Saskatchewan, Canada, and introduced in 1980 specifically for Zone 2–7 cold-climate performance, withstanding temperatures as low as -40°F. The result is a precocious, highly productive early-summer apple with attractive medium-sized fruit featuring dark red stripes on a pink background, crisp green-cream flesh with sweet-tart flavor, and a shelf life of approximately 16 weeks in cold storage when harvested slightly before full maturity. Organic options available. One of the most cold-hardy quality apples available for extreme northern gardens. A pollinator is required.

Zone 2 Cold Hardiness — Built for Canadian Prairie Winters

The -40°F cold hardiness that Norland was specifically developed to achieve places it in a category of cold resilience that almost no other quality apple variety can match. Where Zestar!®, State Fair, and even Honeycrisp reach their cold-hardy limits at Zone 3–4, Norland performs reliably through Zone 2 conditions — the brutal winters of the Canadian prairie, the northern tier of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and other extreme northern climates where apple growing has historically been impractical. For those growers, Norland is genuinely one of very few options that combine cold hardiness with real fruit quality.

Rescue × Melba — Morden Research Station, Saskatchewan, 1980

The Morden Research Station in Manitoba has been developing cold-hardy fruit varieties for prairie climates since 1915 — and Norland’s Rescue × Melba parentage reflects that program’s deliberate approach: crossing hardy Canadian varieties with flavor-quality parents to produce something that survives the winter and delivers worthwhile fruit in August. Introduced in 1980, Norland has over 40 years of documented cold-climate performance.

Early August Harvest — 16 Weeks of Cold Storage

Norland’s early-to-mid August ripening arrives ahead of most fall apple varieties, opening the harvest season early in northern gardens where the season is short. Picked slightly before full maturity for storage, it keeps approximately 16 weeks in proper cold storage — a meaningful shelf life that extends the harvest well into winter. Outstanding for fresh eating, cooking, and pies where the crisp green-cream flesh performs consistently.

Why Growers Choose Norland Apple

• Zone 2 cold hardiness to -40°F — one of the most cold-hardy quality apples available
• Rescue × Melba cross, Morden Research Station, 1980 — 40+ years of proven cold-climate performance
• Dark red striped medium fruit — attractive appearance with crisp sweet-tart flesh
• Early-to-mid August harvest — opens the apple season early in northern gardens
• 16 weeks of cold storage — meaningful shelf life when picked before full maturity
• Organic options available — for growers who want a certified organic tree