Mutsu Apple Tree

Availability: Out of stock
SKU
2708

The Mutsu Apple Tree (Malus 'Mutsu'), also known as the Crispin, is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo Apple, and is a cultivar first grown in Japan. It is a large to very large, greenish-yellow skin with a conical shape and an incredible sweet-tart flavor. Crisp and juicy with an alluring hint of tartness, the Mutsu has a unique exotic flare. Some say the flavor is closer to apple cider.

The Mutsu apple tree provides its bounty in September, and what a bounty it is! It has creamy white flesh and is delicious when eaten right off the tree.;

Your Mutsu not only provides outstanding fruit but is also an attractive tree for the home landscape. Spring flowers will adorn your tree with their subtle pinks and whites, drawing pollinators to your yard. Its vibrant, green leaves present a lush, healthy appearance for your yard all summer long.

Planting and Application:

Replace that simple flowering tree in your yard with one that also produces loads of healthy fruit! Large enough to cast fantastic shade and small enough for most yards, these are appealing ornamental edible landscaping trees for a wide range of climates and conditions!

Mutsu apples tend to be quite large; with a round shape and yellow coloration that has green tones. It also is an excellent apple for baking, pies, sauces, salads and long-term storage. The Mutsu tends to be a prolific producer so you're sure to have plenty to share.

  • Large to Very Large Green-Golden Fruit
  • Small Size - Prolific Producer
  • Requires Pollinator
  • Sweet-Tart Crispy Flavor
  • Fragrant Pinkish-White Blossoms

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Easy to grow, Apples and other fruit trees do best in full sun and planted in well-drained soil that has moderate fertility. Provide ample water throughout the growing season and a thick layer of mulch for insulation and moisture retention.

Among the various choices in Apple Trees, the Mutsu is certainly an excellent one! It's easy to see why it's called a "million-dollar apple" and its large size has contributed to the nickname, "oven buster" because you don't need many to make a pie. Order yours today from NatureHills.com and get growing today!

Mutsu Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions

When to Plant Mutsu Apple Trees

Planting Bareroot trees as soon as you can dig a hole in spring and until hot weather, the earlier the better. Plant container Apple trees throughout the growing season with complete success - that is the benefit of container plants - to extend the planting season. Your County Agricultural Extension Office is a great resource for first and last frost dates in your area.

How to Plant Mutsu Apple Trees

Dig a large hole only as deep as needed to accommodate the bareroot or container root ball, and twice as wide. Add Nature Hills Root Booster to speed root establishment. Remove the pot or bag and situate it into the hole so the top of the soil (soil line if bareroot), is level with the new location's soil being careful not to plant too deep. Water in again very well and backfill with the same soil you dug up, tamping down gently to ensure there are no air pockets.

Top off with a 3-4 inch thick layer of Arborist mulch. Consider staking your tree to keep its trunk growing straight for the first year to ensure it stands tall against strong winds and drifting snow.

When to Prune Mutsu Apple Trees

Trim off any broken branches from delivery as soon as you take them out of the box. Prune and trim apple trees while dormant, in late winter or early spring, before you see new growth.

How to Prune Mutsu Apple Trees

Dormant prune to:

  • Remove any double leaders or narrow crotch angles
  • Eliminate any crossing branches
  • Thin interior branching and leave the fruiting spurs and strong branches in place opening up the canopy
  • Branching at least 24-36 inches above the ground

Prune Apple trees in the summer to:

  • Control size and shape by reducing the length of longer new growth on vigorous trees
  • Remove water sprouts on the main trunk or older branches in the crown
  • Remove suckers at the base of the trunk
  • Thin fruit during heavy years on established trees

How to Care for Mutsu Apple Trees

Growing an apple tree is easy when proper soil, good drainage, attention to moisture, and regular fertility are maintained. Once you've chosen an apple tree that works for your climate, in the size you need for your landscape, and its pollinator (if needed), then you've accomplished half the battle!

  • Apple trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil
  • Water your apple trees when it gets dry - especially during the fruit production stage, and drought periods to keep it stress-free
  • Use arborists' wood chips to mulch over the roots of your apples and have your soil tested to see what your soil may be lacking before adding fertilizers
  • Maintenance pruning and shaping

Apple trees will tolerate a wide range of soils, so long as water and nutrients are not limited and the pH level is adequate.

How to Fertilize Mutsu Apple Trees

For the first year, water alone is most important. It is always best to get a soil test to see what your soil is lacking before adding more fertilizers. Once established, a fertilizer routine may be beneficial. We do offer some excellent slow-release organic options, applied according to the package directions.

Fruit trees need more phosphate and it's possible to apply too much nitrogen which affects the soil's pH. Test soil acidity or alkalinity using a pH Tester.

Fertilize in spring when you first see new growth emerging.

  • Don't overdo it
  • Phosphates are your friends
  • Pay attention to pH in areas with extremely high or low soil pH
  • Follow the directions

Mutsu Apple Tree Pollinating Info

Mutsu is not self-fruiting and needs a pollinating partner. Pair with one of these varieties:

Harvest Times for Mutsu Apple Trees

Mutsu’s are typically ready to harvest in September.

Early-Season? Mid-Season? Late-Season? The terminology can be confusing for new apple tree growers. Weather, climate and your tree determine when it's ripe.

For Apples:

  • Early-season is usually June-July
  • Mid-season can be August-September
  • Late-season can be from late September-November

The growing season consists of spring, summer, and fall, and varies with climate and weather. Areas with longer growing seasons in the warmer hardiness zones can greatly affect the harvest times for each particular apple variety grown in your area. Learn which growing zone you are in.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Mutsu Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Buying Options for Plants

Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.

Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!

Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.

  • Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
  • Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.

Nature Hills Container Size by Volume

Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.

Young Plants to 18 Months
Size Volume
2"x2"x3" Ranges from .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume
4.5" Container Equal to .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume
Sprinter Pot Equal to .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume
4" Container Ranges from .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume
6" Container Equal to 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume
1 Quart Equal to 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume
5.5" Container Equal to 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x5" Ranges from .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x6" Ranges from 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x9" Ranges from 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x10" Ranges from 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume
Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old
Size Volume
2 Quart Equal to 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume
#1 Container Ranges from 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume
5"x5"x12" Equal to 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume
Plants 2 - 4 Years Old
Size Volume
#2 Container Ranges from 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume
#3 Container Ranges from 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume
Plants 3 - 5 Years Old
Size Volume
#5 Container Ranges from 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume
#6 Container Ranges from 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume
#7 Container Ranges from 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume

About Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

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Plant Sentry

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.
Color Zone Times
3 Spring 2019
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Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
0 - 19.99 24.99
20 - 49.99 29.99
50 - 69.99 34.99
70 - 99.99 39.99
100 - 129.99 44.99
130 - 149.99 48.99
150 - 150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Huge, Delicious and Versatile

The Mutsu apple - also known as the Crispin - has long been considered the connoisseurs cooking and baking apple. With its modest introduction and high-end specialized group of admirers in the past, the Mutsu may finally get the just recognition it deserves by those seeking high quality fruit today.

This was one of the first crosses done at the Japanese Apple Research Institute in Kuroshio City, Aomori Japan after it officially opened in 1931.

A cross between the Golden Delicious apple and the Indo apple, the Mutsu apple is named after the Mutsu Province of Japan an area in northern Japan which includes the Aomori Prefecture. Aomori is one of the largest apples growing regions in Japan dating back to 1875.

Introduced for sale in 1948, it was not until the mid-1960's that is was introduced outside of Japan, first under the name Crispin. The name Crispin did not catch on and Mutsu would remain its common name in the United States.

Today, Aomori Prefecture produces over 50 million tons of apples a year and is known for the exceptionally large fruit they are able to produce. The Mutsu apple is already a large fruit. On average, each fruit coming from the Aomori growers is a one-pound apple.

In 2005, the Guinness World Records recorded the world heaviest Apple, a variety named Hokuto (Fuji x Mutsu) that weighed 1.849 Kg or almost 5 pounds!

Also, a signature of the region is the bagging of each individual fruit on the tree to protect them from insect damage. The growers pride themselves on growing the world finest apples, which command top dollar. Many other varieties including the Fuji apple have found their road to fame through the Aomori Prefecture growers of Japan.

Enjoy!

PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

Mutsu Apple Tree Is Suited to Grow in Zones 4-8
Growing Zones 4-8
More Information
Brand Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name Malus 'Mutsu'
Type Deciduous
Mature Height 12 - 15 feet
Mature Spread 12 - 15 feet
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Soil Widely Adaptable
Moisture Moderate
Growth Rate Medium
Flower Color Green
Foliage Green
Fall Color Yellow
Harvest Time Mid Season
Pollinator Friendly Yes
Fruiting Time 3 - 5 years
Pruning Time When Dormant
Fragrant Yes