We are at 3000 ft elevation in zone 3 with quite a bit of wind NW winter and SE summer I grow both Norkent , and September Ruby They have made two winters so far, and are doing well. I have 4, 20 year old apple trees, A Heyer 12, Rescue Crab, Fall Red, and Dolgo Crab. and they produce very well, they all seem to have a really good year , then take a rest for a year with less apples then come on strong the following year, hope this helps, I haven't seen a

Heyer 12 for sale for years, They are not a long keeping apple, you have to use them 2-3 weeks after picking great for pies, and apple sauce. hope this helps. Konrad on Far North, and This forum is a wealth of Knowledge for hardy apple growing! Regards Chic.

Thanks Chic! That is helpful. I've read most of the apple talk on the Far North forum, which has been helpful too!

Do you get spring frost when apples start pushing?

Well..hopefully you can find something, there are several nice apples coming from Minnesota. If I was to start, go with a rock hardy crab apple first, then climb from there.

One of the best tasting sweet/juicy/crisp is the Trailman crab, it is at least zone 2 or better but it pushes early in spring and frost can kill it when leafs are out. Chestnut is another good one. Trailman needs a little protection, [for spring frost] but never has any freeze back in winter, annual fruiting! The trunk/wood looks the best without any damages from freeze / thaw in my experience, grate looking bark without painting.

Chestnut crab has done well for 27 years at the zone 3/4 border in Minnesota. Another chestnut crab has had about 20 years well up into zone 3 and has also done well. Same thing for dolgo. A local orchard says Norland produced after the very long, cold winter of 2013-2014. Many other varieties died back that winter. My Trailman is only in second leaf. I like the crab apples! Perhaps Frostbite is another good choice.