North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Anton Callaway <marillen@earthlink.net>]

Jackie,

I've never grown Macfree, but the other three I've had some experience with...

Jonafree I grew in N. Georgia (Zone 7) & my observations are v. similar to 
that posted already for that region.  They had very good flavor and texture 
(hard, not crisp) that was reminiscent of Jonathan, but did not color as well 
as a New York-grown Jonathan.  Susceptible to cedar apple rust and somewhat 
susceptible to fireblight, though it was easily controlled just by pruning.  

Freedom was also grown in N. GA.  Also good flavor with good size.  I only 
had one tree, so I won't say too much more.  Seemed pretty disease resistant. 
 

Liberty I've grown in four locations over almost 20 years.  These were N. GA 
and 3 North Carolina locations (all Zone 7b or 8).  In a good year, it's my 
favorite apple of all for flavor.  It is large, crisp and juicy with an 
excellent blend of tartness and sweetness.  It colors fairly well, even with 
our hot nights and is resistant to all major diseases.  Tree has naturally 
wide crotch angles and requires little maintainence other than thinning.  It 
will overbear if allowed.  One caveat from 2010:  It was inedible last year, 
in marked contrast to previous years.  The apples were still beautiful and 
large, but the apples lacked flavor and were mealy in texture.  I'm not sure 
why.  Perhaps it was the 100 degree heat and the dry weather we had during 
ripening.

Anton


-----Original Message-----
>From: Jackie <jakuehn@verizon.net>
>Sent: May 2, 2011 4:41 PM
>To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
>Subject: [NAFEX] Jonafree, Liberty, Macfree, Freedom: how good are they?
>
>Anyone have experience with these disease-resistant apples? Taste? 
>Resistance? Difficulties?  Thanks so much.
>
>Jackie Kuehn
>
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