Malus 'Sweet Sixteen'

Apple trees do not grow particularly well on their own roots. As a result, apple varieties sold in commerce today have all been grafted onto rootstocks that, inter alia, control the size of the tree. Rootstocks are generally classified as follows (tree height in parenthesis): dwarf (8-10), semi-dwarf (12-15) and standard (18-25 or more). All trees bear full-size fruit, however. Most trees sold today for the home apple grower have been grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks (dwarf or semi-dwarf), resulting in trees which, in comparison to standard trees, are (1) easier to manage (e.g., spray, prune a... more »

Apple trees do not grow particularly well on their own roots. As a result, apple varieties sold in commerce today have all been grafted onto rootstocks that, inter alia, control the size of the tree. Rootstocks are generally classified as follows (tree height in parenthesis): dwarf (8-10), semi-dwarf (12-15) and standard (18-25 or more). All trees bear full-size fruit, however. Most trees sold today for the home apple grower have been grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks (dwarf or semi-dwarf), resulting in trees which, in comparison to standard trees, are (1) easier to manage (e.g., spray, prune and harvest) and (2) produce fruit at an earlier age. ëSweet Sixteen is available in commerce today on both dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks. Ripe apples of this cultivar are generally characterized as being rosy red, juicy, crisp and sweet. 'Sweet Sixteen' is recommended for use as a dessert apple, fresh eating apple, juice apple, cooking/baking apple and for canning or freezing. White blossoms bloom in early spring, followed by apples that ripen in late September in the St. Louis area. 'Sweet Sixteen' is a cross between M. 'Malinda' and M. 'Northern Spy'. It was introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1977, and has good winter hardiness. (less)