Redfree Apple Tree

Another apple created by the Purdue, Rutgers, and University of Illinois Agricultural Experimental Station in the 1980s, the Redfree apple was designed to be a disease resistant summer apple. Research says it is ripe about a week before Paulared and demonstrates an immunity to apple scab plus is very resistant to apple cedar rust; perfect for beginning gardeners or those starting an orchard.

The medium sized apple has a high finish red color. Its flesh is creamy white, coarse, and crunchy with a medium, slightly tart taste. The skin is medium thick but not tough. Redfree apples do not ripen all at once, allowing someone to harvest the apples over a couple of weeks. Unusual among early apples, however, is its ability to keep for up to 2 months. 

Other notably disease resistant qualities of this apple includes field immunity to scab, field immunity to cedar apple rust, moderate immunity to fire blight and powdery mildew, and shows little response to European red mite. Plant this tree around other early apples like Gravenstein or Duchess.  

USDA Zone: 4-7

Mature Height: B.118: ~20 or 85% of Standard; Semi-Dwarf Ships Spring 2026

Sun: Full Sun

Bloom Group: 2, Early-Mid Season

Ripening Time: September

Pollination: Required

Read more about the history and pedigree of the Redfree Apple here. 

As of July 20, 2025, we have ceased shipping bare root trees for the Spring 2025 Season. We will resume shipping bare root trees in November of 2025. We will assume all bare root trees order, unless otherwise stated in the product description, will ship in November. Please order accordingly.