Honeycrisp is a winter apple variety of American selection, obtained as a result of crossing the Meakin and Honeygold varieties. The tree is of medium height, reaching 3 to 4.5 meters, with a compact or narrow pyramidal crown consisting of long, thin branches. The variety is self-sterile; for successful pollination, it is recommended to plant nearby varieties such as Idared, Gloster, Golden Delicious, and Ascolt. Fruiting begins in the 3rd to 5th year of life; young trees may yield up to 9 kg of apples, while mature trees can produce up to 25 kg.
Honeycrisp fruits are large, weighing from 180 to 260 grams, with a round-elongated shape and yellow-green skin covered with red-orange or crimson blush covering most of the surface. The skin is of medium thickness, smooth and dense, with moderate gloss. The flesh is cream-colored, dense, very juicy and crisp, with a sweet-sour taste, which is reflected in the variety name — "crisp honey". Harvest maturity occurs at the end of September, while consumer maturity is in early November. Fruits store well in the refrigerator for up to 6-7 months and have high transportability.
The variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness and resistance to main diseases, such as scab and powdery mildew; however, under improper storage conditions, fruits may be affected by subcutaneous spotting. To maintain the health of the tree, regular formative pruning and protection against diseases are recommended. Honeycrisp apple trees are widely popular in the USA, Canada, and Western European countries due to their high taste qualities and reliability in cultivation.
