Mollie's Delicious Apple Tree

Mollie’s Delicious is a classic American apple variety developed at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and released in 1966. It resulted from complex breeding that included Golden Delicious, Edgewood, Red Gravenstein, and Close in its parentage, giving it a rich orchard heritage. Despite its name, it is not related to Red Delicious; instead, its name honors a Rutgers student’s wife, Mollie Whatley, who loved the apple’s flavor and consistency.

The fruit is typically large to very large with a conical shape and attractive yellow-green skin washed with a pink-red blush and light lenticels. Inside, the flesh is pale yellow to creamy-white, juicy and aromatic, with a mildly sweet, balanced flavour that many find refreshing and pleasant. Mollie’s Delicious apples are best known for fresh eating but are also versatile enough for salads, sauces, light baking, and jellies.

They typically ripen from late August into early September, making them one of the earlier summer apples to harvest. Growers value them for moderate vigor and good productivity, though the trees are self-sterile and benefit from cross-pollination with other mid-season cultivars. In the orchard, trees are moderately vigorous with an upright, spreading habit that bears fruit on spurs. Once harvested, the fruit stores well—keeping for many weeks in refrigeration without losing quality. The pleasing texture is crisp yet fine-grained, with a delicate crunch that appeals to many apple enthusiasts. Mollie’s Delicious can have a slightly sweet-tart edge, sometimes noted with subtle lemonade-like notes on the palate. 

The apple’s large size and eye-catching color make it popular in markets and home orchards alike. Its sweet, juicy flavor and crisp texture also make it well-suited for enjoying straight from the tree. Although susceptible to some diseases like scab, the variety has reasonable resistance to rust and performs well across USDA zones 5–8. Many growers appreciate its early ripening and extended storage window, which help bridge the late summer and early fall apple seasons.

USDA Zone: 5-10

Mature Height: M.7 ~15-17' tall; Semi-Dwarf

Sun: Full Sun

Bloom Group: 2, Early Mid Season

Pollination: Recommend though tree is partially self-fertile

Harvest Dates: Mid- Late August

Ships Spring 2026