History: Little to nothing is known about this apple other than it likely originated in France.
Why We Grow It: Despite its foggy past, this apple has a lot of potential for a bright future. It produces an aromatic juice and is quite high in tannins, making it a great addition to cider blends. The tree is known for its vigorous growth (notable compared to cider trees in general), high productivity, and general disease resistance which make it definitely worth growing.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. Generally quite adaptable to different soil conditions.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Vigorous with good crops, resistant to brown rot and generally disease resistant
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different apple variety that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Late
Ripens: Late October
Storage: Does not store well but needs several weeks of bletting before being pressed
Recommended Use: Cider
- Class: Bittersweet or Bittersharp
- Sugar: Medium, SG 1.046
- Acidity: TA 5.5 g/L (based on Claude Jolicouer's findings)
- Tannins: Medium, 2.3 g/L
- Taste: Aromatic
- Recommendations: Great addition to cider blends
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Note: Normally classified as a bittersweet but Claude Jolicouer's experience growing Marechal suggests it may be a bittersharp in our colder climate
Size including roots:
- 1 year grade 100-200 cm whip
- 2 year grade 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- B grade less than 100 cm
*Information based on Andrew Lea's "Cider Apple Compositional Data" (2015) and Claude Jolicouer's experiences with Marechal