Apple, Haralred

Malus 'Haralred', a remarkable Zone 3 apple variety, is a superior red sport of the classic Haralson apple developed at the University of Minnesota. This exceptional cultivar reaches optimal ripeness from late September through early October, displaying a more intense, uniform red coloration and maturing approximately one week earlier than its Haralson parent. The medium to large fruits feature crisp, juicy flesh with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that appeals to diverse palates. Haralred trees are known for their straightforward cultivation requirements, showing excellent disease resistance and requiring minimal maintenance compared to many apple varieties. The fruit's versatile nature makes it ideal for fresh eating with its pleasant crunch and bright flavor, while its firm texture holds up beautifully in baking applications, maintaining shape and flavor in pies, crisps, and sauces. One of its standout qualities is exceptional storage capacity, with properly harvested fruits maintaining quality for 4-5 months under appropriate cool conditions. For optimal pollination and abundant harvests, plant alongside compatible varieties with overlapping bloom periods such as Honeycrisp, Norland, or Frostbite. Haralred's combination of cold hardiness, disease resistance, and excellent fruit quality makes it an outstanding choice for North Dakota orchards and home gardens.