Zestar!® Apple Tree
$89.99
Begins shipping mid-April.
Zones 4 - 8
Pollinator required to bear fruit
An early season apple with a crisp, juicy texture, and an exciting zesty flavor!
This Minnesota-bred beauty is a true winner! The Zestar!® Apple tree produces delicious fruits that ripen early in the season, in August. Expect a nice annual harvest of well-balanced, light, crisp, juicy apples. For an early bearer – fruit stores well, for up to two months in cold storage.
The Zestar!® Apple tree grows best in northern U.S., Canada, and areas with a relatively cooler climate. This apple tree has a somewhat upright form with vigorous growth in early years and attaining a spur-type habit. It is very cold-hardy and resistant to most common apple tree diseases.
Zestar!® (Minnewashta cultivar) is a registered trademark of the University of Minnesota. It Zs introduced in 1999 from a hybridization of State Fair x MN 1691.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Ripens Harvest | Early-mid August |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Medium – Large |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Taste | Sweet, Tart |
| Texture | Firm |
| Soil pH Level | 6-7 |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Shade Level | Full Sun |
| Years to Bear | 2-5 |
| Bloom Period | Mid |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 4-8 |
Size & Spacing
Pollination
This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant a different variety within 15 meters (50 feet) for best pollination.
Recommended Pollinators: Cortland, Empire, Wolf River, Yellow Transparent, Buckeye Gala, Honeycrisp, Liberty, Royal Empire, SnowSweet, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Winter Banana
How do I find my Hardiness Zone?
Canada’s Plant Hardiness Zones will tell you which plants will do well in your particular climate. Each zone is determined by the lowest average winter temperature recorded in a given area. Hardiness Zone information is included on all tree and plant product pages, so you know instantly whether a certain plant is likely to succeed where you live. Natural Resources Canada provides helpful options to find your zone:
Kevin Drews –
I don’t know if I like my Zestar Apple tree or not. I purchased it as a pollinator for my gravenstein but neither produced apples this summer. When I received the Zestar I was surprised at how small it was and under developed. It looks good and healthy now so it may take another year or 2 to develop and fruit.
Katie Herrera –
I purchased 2 Zestars and How to Grow a Little Fruit Tree. I hard-pruned them and waited. They put on beautiful growth that season, and then the next year really took off. I thought I might even get some apples, but it wasn’t to be just yet. They are beautiful and healthy looking trees, though, and getting them bareroot was a great idea. I am excited for winter pruning, and can’t wait to see what happens with them next year. I have been a diehard Honeycrisp girl for several years now, but when I tried Zestar I was IN. LOVE. Homegrown is always twice as good, too. I highly recommend getting fruit trees in the ground as soon as the thought occurs to you. You’ll thank yourself later.
Brandon Rossell –
Tree came in great condition. I got it planted right away and a few months later somehow it started to grow 3 apples that I removed from the tree since I just planted it. I was surprised to see it already trying to produce apples. I’m looking forward to next year.
Valerie Levine –
Great tasting apple- got one off the tree this year. Snappy bite, tart, sweet with just a bit of juice. Delightful; so glad you carry this!
Karen Fremuth –
The tree is doing well so far but it’s very, very short (about 3′). Going to be a long wait for fruit.