Apple Tree Reinette de Caux - Malus domestica

Malus 'Reinette de Caux' is a vigorous variety that is highly productive. It bears beautiful round flattened fruits that are harvested from mid-October to early November and consumed from January onwards. Their skin has a lovely golden yellow colour streaked with red by the sun. It contains firm, fine, and juicy pale yellow-white flesh. It has a sweet and slightly tart flavour, with a hint of fragrance. It is an ideal apple for pastries, and goes well in pies and cakes. It is also used to make cider. Stored in good conditions, this apple keeps well and can be consumed until April.

This hardy variety can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). It usually blooms in the second half of April. It is not a self-fertile variety. To ensure fruiting, it should be planted near other varieties for pollination, such as 'Reine des Reinettes', 

Malus domestica belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is cultivated almost everywhere in the world. It includes countless varieties, both old and modern, that produce apples of varying sizes and flavours, ranging from sweet to tart. Apple trees are native to Europe, where their presence has been documented since ancient times.

In spring, the apple tree bears white or pinkish-white flowers grouped in corymbs. Apple flowers consist of 5 petals, with these white flowers surrounding a core composed of about 20 stamens. They give rise to spherical fleshy fruits (drupes, from a botanical perspective) that are filled with seeds. Their colour, size, flavour, and shelf life vary depending on the variety. Apples are harvested in late summer and autumn, and can sometimes be stored for a long period in a cellar and consumed until early spring. Apples lend themselves to a wide range of culinary preparations (compotes, pies, jellies), but can also be used to make apple juice or cider. Apple leaves are deciduous and arranged alternately on the branches. Their lamina is ovate and toothed. They have a dark green upper surface and a whitish lower surface that is slightly fuzzy.

Apple trees can be grown in all climates, but particularly thrive in temperate regions. They thrive in full sun and in reasonably moist and fertile soil. They are traditionally planted in the heart of an orchard, but can also be grown as standalone trees or even in hedges.

They do not exceed 10m (33ft) in height, with a similar width. This size can be much smaller depending on the vigour of the rootstock used. It typically has a tall trunk that naturally spreads out. It comes in various forms (goblet, half-standard, standard, etc.) and can be trained in numerous ways (column, cordon, espalier, etc.).