Hazen
Hazen is a naturally semi-dwarfing, dual-purpose apple prized for its dependable yields, handsome dark-red wash, and mild, versatile flavor.
- Taste: Mildly sweet with low acidity and a gentle, aromatic finish
- Skin & Flesh Color: Greenish-yellow ground overlaid with a deep, dull red blush; creamy yellow flesh that holds its shape when fresh
- Harvest Season: Late summer (early September)
- Disease Resistance: Good tolerance to apple scab and powdery mildew; moderate fire blight resilience in cooler climates
- Best Uses: Fresh snacking, pies and crisps, light-style ciders, and quick-turn applesauce
- Storage Life: Short-term; best consumed within 3–4 weeks of harvest before flesh softens
- Pollination: Self-sterile (pollination group D); pair with Golden Delicious, or Northern Spy for reliable fruit set
- Chill Hours: Approximately 600–700 hours; hardy to USDA zone 4
- Tree Habit & Size: Naturally compact, upright-spreading canopy reaching 8–10 ft on its own roots; begins cropping by the third year on short spurs
- Blossom & Ornamental Appeal: Clusters of lightly scented white to pink spring blossoms offer early visual interest in the orchard
- Origin & Heritage: Developed as Mandan 41-27 at North Dakota State University and released in 1980; named in honor of Dean Arlon G. Hazen
Hazen’s combination of attractive spring blooms, beautiful late-summer color, and culinary flexibility makes it a standout for home orchards and U-pick farms.
