Enterprise Apple Tree

The apple cultivar ‘Enterprise’ (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is a late-maturing, red dessert apple notable for its high fruit quality and broad-spectrum disease resistance. Developed through the Purdue–Rutgers–Illinois (PRI) cooperative apple breeding program, it exhibits field immunity to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), high resistance to cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), and moderate resistance to powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha). The cultivar matures approximately three weeks after ‘Delicious’ and maintains excellent eating quality for up to six months under cold storage at 1 °C, making it well suited for extended storage and winter marketing.

‘Enterprise’ originated from a sib cross between two scab-resistant selections (PRI 1661-1 × PRI 1661-2) and was first planted in 1982 at Purdue University. Resistance to apple scab is conferred by the Vf gene derived from Malus floribunda821, present in a heterozygous state. Initially selected in 1978 and released for advanced testing as Coop 30, the cultivar has undergone extensive evaluation across North America and Europe. Long-term observations have demonstrated consistent performance, combining disease resistance with reliable productivity and fruit quality under diverse growing conditions.

The fruit of ‘Enterprise’ is large (70–76 mm in diameter), round to slightly elongated, and covered almost entirely by a glossy, dark red overcolor. The flesh is firm, crisp, and fine-grained, with a moderately acidic flavor at harvest that mellows to a balanced, subacid profile after storage, developing a rich, spicy character. Trees are moderately to highly vigorous with a spreading, round-topped habit and annual bearing on spurs. In addition to its superior storage life and dessert quality, ‘Enterprise’ shows an absence of physiological disorders such as bitter pit and water core, reinforcing its value as a disease-resistant, high-quality cultivar for commercial and research orchards.

USDA Zone: 3-9

Mature Heights: 

B.9: 8-10' Tall at Maturity; Dwarf

M.7: 15-17' Tall at Maturity; Semi-Dwarf

B.118: 18-21' tall at Maturity; Semi-Standard

M.111: ~18-21' tall at Maturity; Semi-Standard

Antonovka: 25'+ tall at maturity; Standard

Sun: Full Sun

Bloom Group 4 Mid-Late season

Ripening Time: Late October to Early November

Pollination: Required

Ships Spring 2026