Williams Pride Apple Tree
Williams’ Pride is an early-season apple variety prized for its striking dark red fruit, crisp texture, and outstanding disease resistance. Developed through the Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois (PRI) breeding program, this variety was specifically selected for scab resistance and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for home orchards and low-spray growing systems. As one of the earliest high-quality apples of the season, Williams’ Pride delivers fresh, flavorful fruit when few other varieties are ready.
Rootstock Characteristics
Tree Size & Growth Habit
Bud 118 is a semi-standard rootstock, producing a tree approximately 80–90% of standard size, typically reaching 14–18 feet tall at maturity if unpruned. It develops a strong, well-anchored root system that does not require staking under normal conditions. The tree exhibits vigorous growth, an upright to spreading habit, and excellent structural strength, making it suitable for open-field planting and larger backyard spaces.Hardiness & Adaptability
Bud 118 is valued for its exceptional cold hardiness, making this combination especially well-suited for northern climates and regions with harsh winters. It is more drought-tolerant than many dwarfing rootstocks and adapts well to a variety of soil types, including moderately heavy soils. The robust root system contributes to improved resilience and longevity compared to more dwarfing options.Disease Resistance & Longevity
Bud 118 offers good resistance to collar rot and improved overall durability in less-than-ideal soil conditions. The strong root system promotes a long-lived tree capable of productive harvests for decades with proper care.