Johnny Appleseed Apple

Malus domestica ‘Johnny Appleseed’

In the 1830’s, thousands of apple trees were planted in Ohio by one John Chapman, who earned the nickname Johnny Appleseed for his work. Nearly two centuries later, it is extremely rare to find a tree documented to be a graft from one of Johnny’s trees, but Raintree acquired one.

It was tracked down by Scott Skogerboe, who found an old newspaper article that told of an Ohio homestead where Johnny Appleseed had planted a tree. Early in the 20th century, a student who visited the homestead took a cutting, grafted a new tree and planted it in his family’s yard. The child who planted the grafted tree, now elderly, retired from the same school where Scott found the ancient tree.

Since apples from Chapman’s trees were used by settlers mostly for making hard cider, their fresh eating quality wasn’t the highest priority. Nevertheless, the history of this tree makes it a wonderful living legend. 

USDA Zone: 4-9

Mature Height: 14′ (Semi-Dwarf), 25′ (Standard)

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: September

Pollination: Needs a Pollinizer

Dwarf Rootstock: MM106

Standard Rootstock: Antanovka 

Read our Apple Growing Guide