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Apple variety

McIntosh

Also known as Mac

The short answer

McIntosh requires 900 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–8[2]. It needs a pollination partner[2].

Growing facts

McIntosh growing facts
Chill requirement900 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 5–8[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 2[2]
Harvest windowOctober[2]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
USDA pomological watercolor of McIntosh apple
Malus domestica: McIntoshUSDA pomological watercolor, Deborah Griscom Passmore, 1909 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[4]

Pollination partners

McIntosh blooms in group 2. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 20 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Early- to mid-season bloom; needs a compatible pollinizer.[2]
  • Highly susceptible to apple scab; highly resistant to cedar-apple rust; moderately resistant to powdery mildew.[5]
  • Susceptible to fire blight.[2]

A year with your McIntosh

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 7, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 7
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune—————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 7 →

Can I grow McIntosh where I live?

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

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

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Questions

How many chill hours does McIntosh need?
McIntosh needs 900 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit McIntosh?
McIntosh grows in USDA zones 5–8.
Is McIntosh self-pollinating?
No — McIntosh 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] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026