Species

6 other cultivars

tree

Cortland Apple

Malus xdomestica 'Cortland'

The Story

Plant Bio

Malus x domestica, the common apple, is a widely cultivated fruit tree. Trees require cross-pollination from a different apple variety to produce fruit and often need a regular spray schedule to control pests and diseases.

'Cortland' is a classic American apple, a cross between 'McIntosh' and 'Ben Davis'. It is prized for its large, red fruit and crisp, juicy, sweet-tart white flesh that is famously slow to brown after being cut.

Uses & Benefits:

In spring, the tree is covered in beautiful, fragrant pink and white blossoms. In fall, the sight of a tree laden with large, bright red apples is a classic, picturesque garden feature.

The 'Cortland' apple is a superb all-purpose fruit, excellent for eating fresh, baking in pies, making sauces, and adding to salads. Its flesh is notably slow to oxidize, meaning it doesn't turn brown quickly after being sliced.

Apple blossoms provide an important early-season source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Fallen fruit provides food for deer and other wildlife, and the tree itself can provide nesting sites for birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

180 inches

Width

180 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

30-50 years

Native To

Cultivated hybrid

Toxicity

Seeds contain cyanide precursors, toxic if chewed in quantity

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun and excellent air circulation.
Ensure the soil is deep, fertile, and well-drained loam.
Plant a compatible pollinator variety nearby.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
Plant the tree so the graft union is 2-3 inches above the soil line.
Water thoroughly and mulch, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Pro Tip

To ensure fruit production, plant another mid-season blooming apple variety like 'McIntosh', 'Red Delicious', or 'Golden Delicious' within 50 feet for cross-pollination.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide at least 8 hours of direct sun per day.
Prune annually to maintain an open, productive structure.
Follow a recommended spray schedule for your region to manage pests.
Thin fruit in early summer to improve apple size and quality.
Protect the trunk from rodents and sunscald in winter.

Don't

Don't plant in a low-lying frost pocket.
Don't allow the graft union to be buried below the soil.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leaves over fruit.
Don't neglect watering during dry periods, especially for young trees.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Prune
Spray

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Productive home orchard treeEdible landscape specimenFlowering accent in a country garden

Companion Plants

Trifolium repens (White Clover)Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)Monarda didyma (Bee Balm)Narcissus (Daffodils)

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cortland Apple questions

What zones can Cortland Apple grow in?

Cortland Apple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Cortland Apple deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Cortland Apple, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Cortland Apple bloom?

Cortland Apple typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cortland Apple need full sun?

Cortland Apple does best in full sun (6+ hours).