Apple Tree Belchard - Malus domestica

Malus domestica Belchard®, or Chantecler, is a variety created by the INRA in 1977, resulting from cross-breeding between Golden Delicious x Reinette Clochard. It was selected to obtain a vigorous and productive tree associated with good taste qualities and good fruit storage. It is a variety with mid-late flowering. It produces a medium to large-sized apple, slightly flattened in shape, with a weakly rough skin, golden yellow, dotted with numerous visible brown lenticels. Its yellowish flesh is firm, melting and juicy, and at the same time sweet, tangy, and aromatic. Harvesting begins in early October, the fruits can be consumed as soon as they are picked or can be stored up until May in a cool and airy place. Pleasantly tangy and rich in sugar, it is a delicious apple to bite into all winter. Excellent when cooked, in pies, compotes, or pan-fried, the Belchard is also greatly appreciated in savoury recipes or for making juice. It is a partially self-fertile variety (diploid).

Malus domestica, scientifically also known as Malus communis or Malus pumila, is the common or domestic Apple Tree. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since antiquity, it is a fruit tree native to the forests of Central Asia. It has excellent hardiness and is probably the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe. There are about 20,000 varieties, including approximately 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin. The Malus domestica Belchard®, or Chantecler, is a creation of the INRA in Angers, France in 1977. It resulted from the hybridisation between a Golden Delicious and a Reinette Clochard. 

The Belchard apple tree is a semi-erect tree which can reach a height and spread of 4 metres (13 feet), with upright branches that open slightly when entering production. Its habit is well suited to tall forms and espaliers. Its foliage consists of large, ovate, dark green leaves on the upper side, whitish-green on the lower side, deeply toothed. The mid-late flowering occurs around late April to early May, which generally protects it from frost. The white-pink flowers are destroyed by frost from -2 to -3°C. It is a partially self-fertile (diploid) variety that is fairly good at pollinating, but the presence of other apple varieties nearby will improve pollination and therefore production. Varieties such as Elstar, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Reine des Reinettes, Rouge Delicious, or any other mid-late flowering variety are suitable for cross-pollination. Ornamental apple trees such as Malus Perpetu Evereste and John Downie flower abundantly and can be excellent pollinators.

The Belchard apple tree is a vigorous variety with rapid fruiting, highly productive and with low alternation, meaning that it produces regularly every year. The homogeneous and abundant fruiting begins from early October, and the fruits can be consumed as soon as they are picked. The fruits are medium to large-sized, slightly flattened in shape, with a weakly rough skin, golden yellow, dotted with numerous visible brown lenticels. The yellowish flesh is firm, melting, juicy, and at the same time sweet, tangy, and aromatic.

The Chantecler apple can be consumed both raw and cooked, in compotes, pastries, paired with cheeses, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes, with black pudding, pork, or in salads. It is also perfect for making juice or cider. Easy to consume, the apple provides a great feeling of satiety. Rich in carbohydrates and fructose, it is invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. Its content of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre makes the apple a health asset. The fruits can be stored until May if the harvest is late. Storage can be done in a cool, clean place, protected from light at a temperature around 8 to 10°C or in a cold room, sealed from the outside air at a temperature of 1 to 3°C. The apple releases ethylene, a gas that promotes fruit ripening. To accelerate the ripening of other fruits or vegetables, place your apples next to them.

In the category of apple trees, Malus domestica Belchard is a very productive variety, moderately susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, canker, and bacterial fire blight, making it particularly suitable for industrial cultivation. In order to obtain fruits of good quality, thinning should be practiced by reducing the number of fruits on the tree. Pruning for ventilation, by removing some branches in the centre of the tree, will provide light and give the fruits a beautiful colour. This will also limit the occurrence of diseases. Being very vigorous, during winter pruning it is preferable not to prune too severely in the first few years to avoid the appearance of numerous greedy watersprouts.

Very popular thanks to its fruit, the apple tree finds its place in the garden for the pleasure of young and old alike. Among a very wide range of apple trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits your tastes.