Apple Tree Nursery Recommendations

Hello,

I've been sorting through nurseries on this site by zip code, but there has to be a better way to find a Nursery that sells what I'm looking for.

I'm really wanting to plant a McIntosh apple tree, but I'm struggling to find a nursery that carries what I want. I've exhausted my search locally and can't get anything ordered locally either, so I need to order something myself online.

Many nurseries don't ship to Washington State which has been my first challenge. I'm also seeing a lot of "Double Red McIntosh" or crosses, and most with dwarfing rootstock.

I would like a plain ol' McIntosh, preferably bigger than a seedling (though I know I'll be paying a premium). I don't think I'm quite desperate enough to ask someone for a cutting (as I would with a rarer variety).

Does anyone have recommendations?

Sometimes, it helps to visit the plantfile for the item you would like and see if there is a vendor listed for that item.

I have found this. It shows there are 2 vendors:

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/78213

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your response!

I did look at the plant file. One of the two vendors doesn't ship to Washington State and the other I have concerns that the variety pictured is not the variety I'm interested in.

Etsy has a seller (maybe more, I didn't look) and I put your zip in and they will ship to you for $9.99. SALE END ON THE 15TH!!!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1464381095/mcintosh-apple-tree-2ft-tall-now-live?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mcintosh+apple+tree&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&pro=1&referrer_page_guid=f6fafe0724e.95061c30848bed16186e.00&organic_search_click=1

This place has them. It doesn't list states it won't ship too.
https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tree-mcintosh
But if your state refuses to let apple trees in, none will ship to you.
Here in California, we have a lot of restriction on fruits and fruit trees allowed in.

Another
https://chiefrivernursery.com/mcintosh-apple-tree-whip.html

If you google
'to buy McIntosh apple tree'
a lot of nurseries come up if you are wiling to sort thru them.

You might also look into the Home Orchard Society which has active chapters in WA State. You can go to one of the scion exchanges and get many varieties, often for free. You might be able to buy a rootstock and get help grafting them. I used to do the grafting at those events in Oregon.
And I must say in the strongest terms: do not try to import apples from out of state. WA state has those restrictions for very good reasons - to protect their $2 billion apple industry. You can find your apple in-state.

This message was edited Oct 15, 2023 7:17 AM

Thank you for your reply and doing so much leg work!

I've looked through Etsy, but I'm concerned that most of what is being sold is "drop shipped" (I think that's the right term). Also, most of what is being sold is pretty small... I could potentially get a cutting locally and it would be of similar size, and I would likely be more confident in it being the correct variety.

The two nurseries you listed have their trees on simi-dwarf and simi-standard rootstock... I realize I'm being eccentric, but I would ideally like a standard rootstock.

You sound very knowledgeable. I didn't know that those types of events existed; how neat!!

I agree that with Washington's $2 Billion apple industry there should be someone in the state willing to sell me a tree... I guess I just don't have the agricultural connections.

May I ask you - If an out-of-state seller claims to have their paperwork in order (with the USDA?) to ship trees to Washington legally, would you still be opposed to my buying from them? Are all out-of-state sales illegal? Unethical?

A quick bit of googling shows one that there is a quarantine in place. I would call your Ag Dept in Olympia for more info.
(360) 902-2071 or
(509) 323-3000 USDA in Spokane