SundanceTM is a modern disease resistant apple, which was first selected from a breeding programme in the 1960s and introduced in the early 21st century.
The following excellent article describes the origins of this apple in more detail: www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pri/sundance.pdf. Of particular interest is the pedigree diagram which shows the direct relationship with Golden Delicious, along with the more complex parentage necessary to incorporate the gene for scab resistance which occurs naturally in the crab apple Malus floribunda. This is a good illustration of the challenge facing anyone trying to develop a scab-resistant apple, in effect it is a matter of retaining the scab resistant gene whilst breeding out the other less desirable characteristics of the crab apple (small size and acidic flavor) and replacing them with better qualities from high quality apples such as Golden Delicious.
Also known as
- Co-op 29
USDA identification images for Sundance
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 05 Oct 2016 WA, United StatesMy Sundance tree is about 6 years old. It produced a small crop for the first time two years ago, no apple trees in my area produced last year and this year it is bearing 20-30 large apple despite not being thinned this spring. The trunk and branches are larger and sturdier than my other two trees of the same age. While it is not a huge producer like my pixie crunch apple tree, it is a healthy, sturdy tree with beautiful, large apples. It is October 5th and the appls seeds are brown indicating they are ripe. The apples are heavy, juicy and flavorful but a bit too thick skinned and tart for me to eat fresh. Fortunately I purchased this tree for baking and hopefully the apples will sweeten in storage like they are supposed to. Overall I am very happy with my Sundance apple tree!
Tree register
United States
- Adam Dupps in Lawrenceburg, IN
- Annie Oakes in SPOKANE, WA
- Ben in Helenwood, TN
- Busch83 in Port Republic, NEW JERSEY
- Cherry Mayo - Goston in Loveland, OH
- Craig Sheehan in Winchester, KY
- Daryl King in Denver, CO
- Doreirei in Montevallo, ALABAMA
- Eric in Winslow, ARKANSAS
- George Cochran in Maple City, MI
- J.P.Curry in Sturgeon, MO
- Jason Long in Papillion, NE
- Kyle Franke in Kenmore, NY
- Mark A. Rock in Columbia Station, OHIO
- Mark Ward in DIAMOND POINT, NY
- Monika Bawdon in Denver, CO
- Paul Schmidt in TAZEWELL, TN
- Paul Gerrish in Newbury, MA
- Steve Hill in Green Bay, WI
- Steven Sypkens in TURNEY, MO
- Surik Mehrabyan in Ithaca, NY
- Surik Mehrabyan in ITHACA, NEW YORK
- Tom Adkisson in WINSTON SALEM, NC
Spring blossom records for this variety
2015 season
- 2nd June 2015 - tree owned by Steve in Green Bay, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2015 season
- 2nd week November 2015 - tree owned by Steve in Green Bay, United States
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Golden Delicious plus others
- Originates from: Indiana, United States
- Introduced: 1964
- Developed by: Purdue University
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Large
- Fruit shape: Conical
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Ripens over a period
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking month: October
- Picking period: early October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
- Chill requirement: Low-chill
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
- Fire blight: Very resistant
- Cedar apple rust: Very resistant
- Powdery mildew: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Sundance apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Sundance apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Sundance:
United States
Colorado
- Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins
Indiana
- County Line Orchard, Hobart
- Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron
Michigan