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Apple variety

Cortland

The short answer

Cortland requires 800 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–7[2]. It needs a pollination partner[2].

Growing facts

Cortland growing facts
Chill requirement800 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–7[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[2]
Harvest windowSeptember[2]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
AppearanceMedium red apple; sweet-tart white flesh, slow to brown when cut[5]
USDA pomological watercolor of Cortland apple
Malus domestica: CortlandUSDA pomological watercolor, Mary Daisy Arnold, 1930 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[4]

Pollination partners

Cortland blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 27 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Mid-season bloom; needs a compatible pollinizer.[2]
  • Highly susceptible to apple scab and cedar-apple rust; susceptible to powdery mildew.[6]
  • Highly susceptible to fire blight.[6]

A year with your Cortland

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune—————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Cortland where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Cortland? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Cortland need?
Cortland needs 800 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Cortland?
Cortland grows in USDA zones 4–7.
Is Cortland self-pollinating?
No — Cortland needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] University of Minnesota Extension. Growing apples in the home garden — accessed July 2026
  6. [6] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026