Starkspur® McIntosh Apple Tree

Starkspur® McIntosh brings one of America’s most beloved apple varieties together with the Starkspur® spur-bearing advantage — more fruit from every limb, from trunk to tip, in a compact, productive dwarf tree. McIntosh’s sweet-tart, crisp white flesh and aromatic August ripening need no introduction after more than 200 years in American orchards, but the Starkspur® improvement delivers that same beloved flavor in a tree that produces more abundantly than standard McIntosh through its unique spur-type fruiting habit. Discovered as a bud mutation of Summerland McIntosh in 1968 in Oyama, British Columbia, Canada — cold hardy in Zones 4–8.

The McIntosh Legacy — Over 200 Years of American Apple Heritage

McIntosh has been one of the most beloved apples in North America since its discovery in 1811, and for good reason. The crisp, juicy, bright-white flesh with a perfect sweet-tart balance and distinctive aromatic character has made it a perennial favorite for fresh eating and cider for generations. It’s the parent of Cortland and Empire, two more of the great Cornell-developed apples — a heritage that reflects just how genetically exceptional McIntosh truly is.

The Starkspur® Advantage — Fruit From Trunk to Tip

Standard McIntosh trees produce fruit primarily on their outer limbs. Starkspur® McIntosh produces on compact fruiting spurs all along every limb — from the trunk outward to the tip — resulting in a denser, more productive harvest per tree. For home orchardists who want the full McIntosh experience in a compact, manageable dwarf form that produces abundantly, the Starkspur® habit makes a meaningful practical difference.

Discovered in British Columbia — 1968 Bud Mutation

Starkspur® McIntosh traces its origin to 1968 in Oyama, British Columbia, Canada — discovered as a naturally occurring bud mutation of the Summerland McIntosh strain. That natural origin reflects the kind of productive, reliable genetic variation that the best spur-type apple varieties come from.

Why Growers Choose Starkspur® McIntosh

• Classic McIntosh sweet-tart aromatic flavor — over 200 years of proven excellence
• Starkspur® spur-bearing habit — fruit from trunk to tip for superior productivity
• Compact dwarf form — manageable size with abundant production
• Crisp, juicy, bright-white flesh — perfect for fresh eating and cider
• Parent of Cortland and Empire — foundational genetics of American apple heritage
• Cold hardy in Zones 4–8 — reliable across a wide range of climates