Calville Rouge Apple Tree

Calville Rouge Apple TreeEvery rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag and will be shipped in a 6 foot box to ensure optimal growth Calville Rouge Apple Malus domestica Historical Significance Originally hailing from 19th century France, the Calville Rouge Apple was once celebrated as one of the finest culinary apples of its era. Introduced to American orchards in 1876 by Felix Gillet, this

Every rare tree purchase supports historical orchard preservation

Each handpicked tree includes a durable etched metal display tag and will be shipped in a 6-foot box to ensure optimal growth

Calville Rouge Apple – Malus domestica 

Historical Significance

Originally hailing from 19th-century France, the Calville Rouge Apple was once celebrated as one of the finest culinary apples of its era. Introduced to American orchards in 1876 by Felix Gillet, this heirloom was part of a broader effort to bring European excellence to the Sierra foothills. The mother tree still grows today in Humbug—an old hydraulic gold mining town in Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, perched at 3,250' on the San Juan Ridge in Nevada County, CA. It stands as a testament to both agricultural heritage and the adaptability of this remarkable variety.

How to Grow

Climate & Location: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Performs well in mid- to high-elevation sites with cold winters and mild to warm summers. Fruit ripens late, so choose a site with a full-season growing window.

Soil Requirements: Grafted onto M111 semi-dwarf rootstock, which is widely adaptable to dry, wet, or poor soils. Trees mature at 12–16' tall and resist woolly apple aphid and collar rot.

Planting: Select a full-sun location. Plant during dormancy in fall or early spring. Keep the graft union above the soil line. Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed competition.

Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the first 2–3 years. Mature trees are relatively drought tolerant but will benefit from deep watering during fruit set and ripening.

Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to maintain an open, airy canopy. Remove crossing or damaged branches and maintain central leader shape for structure and fruiting wood renewal.

Fruit Production

Pollination: Not self-fertile. Requires a compatible apple variety nearby for successful fruit set. Pairs well with most other mid- or late-season apple trees. Pollinated by bees and other insects.

Thinning: Thin fruit clusters to one apple per group after bloom drop to improve fruit size and reduce stress on branches.

Fertilization: Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Topdress with compost in fall to enrich the soil.

Harvesting

Ripens late in the season—typically November to December—making it a classic winter apple. Fruit is large, deep red, and ribbed with a sculptural form. Flesh is dense, sweet, juicy, and slightly berry-like. When cooked, it holds its shape beautifully while developing a silky, creamy texture ideal for pies and tarts.

Calville Rouge is also a fantastic keeper. When stored in a cool, dark environment, fruit holds its texture and flavor into March.

Conclusion

With its distinctive appearance, intense culinary value, and ties to Sierra foothill history, the Calville Rouge Apple Tree is a rare treasure. Grafted on rugged, adaptable M111 rootstock and introduced to American soil by Felix Gillet himself, this variety embodies flavor, longevity, and legacy in one unforgettable package.

Explore our full Apple Tree Collection.

Learn more about apple cultivation in our Apple Tree Growing Guide.

To learn more about these historical trees, visit the Felix Gillet Institute.

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