Photograph from the USDA Germplasm website
Shafer was discovered br W. Shafer, Poplar Point, Manitoba, and introduced by the Morden Research Station in 1963. The tree is moderately vigorous, upright branching habit. It is hardy to Zone 2a or colder, but is susceptible to fire blight. The fruit is medium size, 4.5 cm (1.75") in diameter, and matures in early September. The skin is bright yellow, washed with red, often to the point of being completely bright red. The flesh is somewhat soft. The taste is very nice, sweet but with a tart almost cranberry-like flavor. It is good for fresh eating, drying and sauce, but only stores for a short while, maybe a week or so.
Both our Shafer trees fruited well in their 3rd & 4th years.
From the USDA Germplasm website: Fruit: 4.5 cm. crab apple, yellow, blushed with red. Flesh yellow. Sweet dessert, similar to Trail in size and quality but slightly darker orange and does not bruise as easily as Trail. Hardy.