The Mutsu apple, also called Crispin, is a cultivar between Golden Delicious and Indo, introduced from Japan. It is a triploid, self-sterile, and poor at pollinating other apple trees. Potential pollinators are Golden Delicious, Jonathon, or Red Rome. It is a late season producer, during late September into October. It is excellent for both fresh eating or in salads and all kinds of baking or cooking. The apple keeps well for several months in a cool crisper. Soil type needed is average to loamy but it responds to enriched soil with better production. Apple trees do best with a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8. Fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for a few hours each day. In summary, air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree. A healthy tree is better able to resist or respond to diseases and insects as well. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This cultivar is highly susceptible to Blister Spot. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Malus domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheMalus domestica 'Fuji'Malus domestica 'Ginger Gold'Malus domestica 'Stayman'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaf is a bright or darker green on its top surface with a lighter silver gray underleaf surface. It is 1 to 3 inches long. One side may have very fine hairs on it.
Flower color
White
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The white flower blooms in clusters of five flat petals, in May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The apple ripens in late September into October. It's blush color depends on the sun it gets.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Wildlife value
Pollinators during spring blooms.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
This medium to large-sized fruit is aromatic, juicy, sweet, spicy and a little tart. Great for eating fresh and it can also be kept for up to 3 months if stored well. Mutsu apple can be cooked because it holds its shape well during cooking. Ripens in early October.