Apples require more than one variety to set fruit; a crabapple can serve this purpose as well. Some recommended varieties for North Dakota: ‘Zestar!’- Striped red skin, crisper and better storage life than other early ripening varieties. ‘Duchess’- Medium to large size, Excellent for pies and sauce. ‘Goodland’- Creamy yellow, good for pies and fresh eating. ‘Red Baron’- Trees bear at a young age. ‘Sweet Sixteen’- Red apple, good for fresh eating. ‘Honeycrisp’- Most popular apple in Midwest, marginally hardy. ‘Haralson’- Top apple in the upper Midwest. Good for cooking. NDSU Extension publication H1558 — Starting a Community Orchard in North Dakota lists other recommended varieties.
Common diseases include fireblight, black rot, cedar apple rust and apple scab. Common insects include apple maggots.
Common Apple
Common Apple
Common Apple