Cortland – Apple Tree at Abounding Grace Orchards

Planted: Spring 2018
Rootstock: M-111
Pollination: Requires a cross-pollinator (we’ve got Liberty and Honeycrisp nearby)
Zone: 5B (Elizabeth, Colorado)
Location on Property: Northeast end of the orchard, full sun
Sunlight: Full sun
Irrigation: Drip system with fish emulsion fertigation

About This Variety

The Cortland apple is a true American heirloom, born out of the experimental orchards of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY in 1898. It was developed by horticulturist S.A. Beach, who crossed a McIntosh with a Ben Davis to produce a cold-hardy, flavorful, and dependable apple. It was officially released in 1915, and it didn’t take long before it became a staple in orchards across the northeastern United States and beyond.

Cortland carries much of the McIntosh’s juicy, aromatic flavor, but with a bit more firmness and a redder skin — sometimes even streaked with green or dotted with freckles. One of its most remarkable qualities is its bright white flesh that resists browning, making it a favorite for fresh slices, lunchboxes, and salads. It's mild, slightly tart, and pleasantly crisp.

Another thing that makes Cortland stand out is how reliable and adaptable it is. It performs well in colder zones and handles the shorter growing seasons of northern climates like ours here in Colorado’s Zone 5B. While it may not have the long shelf life of some modern varieties, it keeps for a couple months in cool storage, and it shines in fresh eating, baking, and sauce.

The Cortland apple has remained popular for over a century because of its balance of beauty, flavor, and ease of use. In fact, it was once one of the top ten apples grown in the United States — a true workhorse in the orchard and a favorite among home growers and farm markets.

At Abounding Grace Orchards, we love it for both its heritage and its practical value. It's the kind of apple that makes you appreciate the craft and care of the old-time growers who developed it long before commercial orchards were run by spreadsheets and shipping deadlines.Why We Chose It

We chose Cortland because it’s a time-tested, cold-hardy variety that does well in northern climates. The fruit has great flavor, stores decently, and is versatile in the kitchen. Plus, folks love it — it’s a familiar name that often brings back memories of old orchards and crisp fall days.

We were also looking for an apple to fill the mid-season harvest window, and Cortland fits the bill perfectly.

Growth Notes

This tree has been steady and healthy since planting in 2018. It’s got a wide, spreading growth habit that makes pruning straightforward. We kept it well-fed and watered through Colorado’s dry spells and made sure it had plenty of mulch to protect the roots.

After six years of growing, we got our first real harvest in 2024 — and it was a big one. Branches were loaded. The fruit came in clean, colorful, and flavorful. It felt like the tree had finally hit its stride.

Unfortunately, no harvest in 2025 — the tree put out a heavy bloom, but we believe the cooler spring weather kept pollination activity low. Bees just weren’t flying much during that critical window. That’s the challenge of growing fruit at this elevation — sometimes everything looks perfect, but the weather throws a quiet wrench in the works.

Harvest Expectations

First Harvest: 2024
Ripening Window: Mid to late September
Use: Fresh eating, pies, crisps, drying, applesauce
Storage: Keeps 2–3 months in cold storage

Personal Notes

That first harvest in 2024 was a milestone for us. Seeing a young tree carry such a heavy load after years of care was one of those rewarding moments in farming. We had friends and family over to help pick, and the kids were eating them right off the tree.

Even though we got skunked in 2025, we’re hopeful for next year. The tree looks healthy, and if the weather cooperates, we’re expecting another good crop soon.