- Baron von Hallberg: Profile
- History and origin of the apple variety
- Characteristics and taste of ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’
- Tips for growing and caring for ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’
- Harvest and use the ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’ apple variety
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The apple variety 'Freiherr von Hallberg' was bred in Bavaria and impresses with its spicy aroma and sparkling acidity. We present the table apple and the special features of cultivation and care.
From 'Elstar' to 'Braeburn' to 'Golden Delicious': there are so many apple varieties that it's easy to lose track. While you know a 'Gala' or a 'Pink Lady' only too well from the supermarket, 'Freiherr von Hallberg' is more reminiscent of a history lesson than a delicious apple variety. And in fact, the name of the variety goes back to a historical figure, whose history is not the only special feature of this apple. The winter apple was bred from the varieties 'Pinova' x 'Topaz' in Bavaria. The apples are crisp and firm and two-thirds have orange-red stripes. With its spicy aroma and sparkling acidity, the 'Freiherr von Hallberg' is a table apple of the highest quality and lives up to its namesake.
Baron von Hallberg: Profile
| Synonyms | 'Bay 4146' |
| Fruit | large; orange-red stripes |
| Flavour | spicy, sweet with refreshing acidity |
| Yield | high; Fruits should be thinned annually to avoid alternation |
| Harvest time | from the end of September |
| Maturity for pleasure | from the end of September |
| Shelf Life | good; Apples harvested early can be stored until February |
| Growth | medium strong; compact; mean branch density |
| Climate | prefers a warm, sheltered climate; also thrives in cooler locations |
| Diseases and Pests | little susceptible to apple scab |
History and origin of the apple variety
Karl Theodor Maria Hubert Isidor Freiherr von Hallberg-Broich was born into the Hallberg noble family in 1768. The German writer and researcher led an exciting life, traveled to countless countries, wrote to the30 books and was known for his dazzling attire and eccentric personality. One of his legacies is today's Upper Bavarian municipality of Hallbergmoos, which he founded in his time. This is also where the connection to our apple variety lies, because the breeder, Dr. Michael Neumüller himself comes from the community founded in 1831 and named his outstanding apple variety after the equally magnificent personality. Incidentally, the variety is legally protected under the cryptic name 'Bay 4146'. Similar to a patent, it may not be grown commercially without paying a fee to the owner of the variety.
Characteristics and taste of ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’
The 'Freiherr von Hallberg' combines many popular properties in one apple. The fruit is large and rather flat. It has an unusually small core, which means that there are hardly any losses when gutting. The pulp itself is crunchy due to stable fruit cells, but not hard, and remains bright white for a long time after cutting. The taste captivates with the classic sweetness of the apple, combined with a fruity acidity that provides a certain freshness kick. The skin of the fruit is quite thin and mostly decorated with an orange-red striped pattern.
Tips for growing and caring for ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’
The 'Freiherr von Hallberg' variety grows moderately and can become a small-crowned, but still high-yielding tree on a weak rootstock. When pruned correctly, the fruit branches tend to grow horizontally, which naturally increases the amount of fruit.
The 'Freiherr von Hallberg' is extremely robust and not very susceptible to typical apple tree diseases such as apple scab - but the variety is also very resistant not. Due to their low tendency to disease, the compact trees are ideal for organic cultivation, and chemical sprays can usually be dispensed with in the home garden.
Because the yield of 'Freiherr von Hallberg' is naturally high, the fruits should be thinned out slightly every year, otherwise only many small fruits will develop. Also, a year of peak yields would be followed by a year of low apples.
So remove in late spring - even if it hurts! - so many hazelnut-sized young fruits from the tree that only two apples remain per infructescence. The tree will thank you with particularly tasty, large fruits and regular yields.
Der 'Freiherrvon Halberg' would like to be cut annually, but reluctantly. With the right apple tree pruning, you can best train it to become a loose spindle. If the variety does not produce enough new shoots when it is older, a more radical pruning can be carried out.
Because 'Freiherr von Hallberg' flowers medium early and long-lasting, it is itself a good pollinator and is used by 'Ananas-Renette', 'Berlepsch', 'Holsteiner Cox', 'Idared', 'Swiss Orange Apple' and others medium-early flowering varieties reliably pollinated.
Harvest and use the ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’ apple variety
The fruits of the 'Freiherr von Hallberg' can be picked at the end of September and can be eaten straight away from the tree. The earlier the harvest takes place, the longer the fruit can be stored. If stored at 1.5 °C, the apples can be kept until February without losing much of their goodness. Due to its spicy taste and crisp freshness, the apple variety is ideal for direct consumption. However, the slightly sour note is also very good in terms of taste in cakes and desserts. Because the 'Freiherr von Hallberg' does not oxidize directly after cutting and therefore does not turn brown, it is also particularly popular in the catering trade - as is well known, it is a feast for the eyes. Even when dried, the apples remain bright white and are therefore a real all-round talent.
The ‘Freiherr von Hallberg’ variety isn’t right for you yet? How about the 'Kanadarenette', which impresses with its excellent taste and regular yield.