The trees have not even been planted, but apple growers are excited to have some new varieties in the future for their customers to try. The opening year success of the Rave apple, a cross between a Honeycrisp and monarch varieties, led Wood Orchard in Sturgeon Bay to prepare hundreds of trees more for planting in the coming year. Owner Steve Wood says it fulfilled a need at the beginning of their season.
In Casco, Hillside Apples owner Bill Roethle hopes two strains of his popular Honeycrisp and Pink Lady varieties will in the future develop quicker for his customers. He is also excited about a new variety that was previously only found in Canada.
Apple lovers should not get too excited as it takes apple trees a few years before they can turn out a productive harvest.