{"product_id":"reinette-franche-apple","title":"Reinette Franche Apple Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eReinette Franche Apple Tree offers the rare combination of deep history, distinctive flavor, and genuine orchard presence. Its medium-to-large apples develop a handsome blend of crimson and gold, often marked by russet rays spreading outward from the stem. Beneath that old-world exterior is firm, crunchy, yellowish-white flesh with an aromatic spicy character described as having hints of nuts and orange. The fruit is memorable fresh and has enough structure and complexity for cooking, baking, and storage. This variety was carried from its long cultivation in Normandy into California’s Sierra foothills by pioneering nurseryman Felix Gillet, and surviving trees demonstrate the productive potential of a well-adapted heritage apple. For gardeners who want fruit that begins conversations and rewards careful tasting, Reinette Franche is both a delicious harvest and a living link between European pomology and California orchard history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant this bare root apple in full sun and well-drained soil, water deeply while it establishes, and prune during dormancy to develop an open, durable branch structure. Thin crowded fruit clusters to support size and reduce strain. Because Reinette Franche does not appear on the confirmed characteristics sheet, specific zone, chill-hour, harvest-date, and rootstock claims are intentionally omitted pending verification.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlanting another compatible apple nearby is recommended to increase pollinator activity and support dependable fruit set. Heritage companions include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/scarlet-apple\"\u003eScarlet\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-sierra-beauty-semi-dwarf\"\u003eSierra Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e; \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-fuji-red-semi-dwarf\"\u003eFuji Red\u003c\/a\u003e offers another available orchard partner where bloom overlaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReinette Franche Apple Tree is suited to USDA zones 5–10 and requires about 800–900 chill hours. Harvest is typically October, with timing varying by region and season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eReinette Franche Apple Tree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to large apples with crimson-and-gold skin and decorative russeting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor and texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Firm, crunchy, spicy, and aromatic with nutty and citrus-like notes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, cooking, baking, and storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e October, with timing varying by region and season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 800–900 chill hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant with another compatible apple with overlapping bloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended companions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/products\/scarlet-apple\"\u003eScarlet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-sierra-beauty-semi-dwarf\"\u003eSierra Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-fuji-red-semi-dwarf\"\u003eFuji Red\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin clusters and prune to keep the canopy well lit and structurally balanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSomething special:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cultivated in Normandy for centuries, Reinette Franche was introduced by Felix Gillet and preserved in Sierra County.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOrchard Planning Resources\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/bare-root-tree-selection-guide\"\u003eBare Root Tree Selection Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/planting-bare-root-trees-for-beginners-a-comprehensive-guide\"\u003eHow to Plant Bare Root Trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Rdt4TYt4fE0vpvNhXDgewxzwx4hg8xQc8_14DbtDKNc\/edit?usp=drivesdk\"\u003eFruit and Nut Tree Characteristics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/e\/2PACX-1vRTawkXXtycdiTxe58p-gVjdAzuxvNCc7sZ9wri56m0rgvBQIbRObXuK2hSdDHL08ev0R3uzcupme6D\/pubhtml\"\u003eTree Rootstock Characteristics Chart\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Felix Gillet Institute","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40547549118577,"sku":"FT382","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0061\/1391\/9089\/files\/FT382.jpg?v=1747080609","url":"https:\/\/www.groworganic.mom\/products\/reinette-franche-apple","provider":"Grow Organic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}