North Pole Spire

Why you should be excited

North Pole Spire is a skinny tree that grows without any long side branches. The apple is much like a McIntosh.

The story of North Pole Spire

Yes, the fruit looks a lot like McIntosh.

That’d be because they’re closely related. North Pole Spire is a descendant of McIntosh Wijcik, a mutation of the original McIntosh that was discovered in British Columbia by a fellow named Wijcik.

The mutant tree grew straight and tall like its fellow Macs, but simply refused to make significant-sized side branches. The result was a narrow tree, well suited to small spaces and containers. This mutant tree has been used in breeding to create several new varieties, including North Pole Spire, all of which share this tall and skinny characteristic.

So here it is, essentially a super-skinny tree producing a Mac-like apple, except even redder.

North Pole Spire Facts

Its origins

Bred in Canada; 1990s introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Juicy, crisp, white flesh with strong, straightforward apple flavour. Highly aromatic.

Appearance

A bright red, often even crimson, apple.

When they’re available

Mid-season (usually in mid-September).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Quality for cider

Not particularly known for use in cider, although McIntosh -- this variety's ancestor -- has been popular in cider from the U.S. northeast.

Keeping ability

Good (2 months when kept refrigerated).