A planting was established to compare 'Pioneer Mac,' 'Marshall McIntosh,' a
nd 'Rogers Red McIntosh' apple trees. After eight growing seasons, 'Pioneer
' trees were the largest. Cumulative yield per tree was greatest for 'Pione
er' and least for 'Marshall', with 'Rogers' intermediate; however, cultivar
differences were significant in only one of the six fruiting years. Cumula
tive yield efficiency was not affected by cultivar, nor was average crop lo
ad. Average fruit weight was greatest for 'Rogers,' with 'Marshall' and 'Pi
oneer' similar and significantly less. 'Marshall' fruit developed red color
over a larger percentage of the surface than the other two cultivars. Ripe
ning, as measured by internal ethylene levels, was earliest for 'Marshall'
in two of four years, but in all years, 'Pioneer' and 'Rogers' ripened simi
larly. Fruit abscission was earliest from 'Marshall' trees in both years of
assessment. In one year, 'Pioneer' fruit dropped later than 'Marshall' but
similarly to 'Rogers; and in the second year, 'Pioneer' fruit dropped simi
larly to 'Marshall: These data suggest that 'Pioneer Mac' provides no expan
sion of the 'McIntosh' harvest season.