Lee 31

Lee 31 was bred by Lloyd Lee of Alberta, Canada. This apple is 2 to 2.5" in diameter (although, as shown in the picture above, it is sometimes larger than that, and if it is not thinned well may also be smaller). As the photos show, Lee 31 gets a red blush on the sunny side of the apple. This apple ripens mid to late September in Fairbanks, it is crisp, sweet and juicy with a nicely balanced flavor, white fleshed and one of our favorite eating apples. It stores for up to 6 weeks in our root cellar, and would probably store longer in a refrigerator. It is fully hardy in our orchard. Leaves on all the Lee 31 in Fairbanks are smaller and oddly colored and shaped compared to other varieties, but the trees are otherwise healthy and fruit well. Tree has a nice open branching habit and is moderately vigorous; 7' tall after 6 years. Because of its long thin branches and spreading growth habit this tree is a good candidate for espalier, but we have not tried that yet.