For me it's the Norkent,..you should have asked when visiting me.

I was ready to remove the thunder child crab apple tree and replace with another apricot or plum but I'm thinking I can make use of it as its very thick trunk . Worst case it doesn't work than I remove it.any suggestions ?

My favor is probably Honeycrisp, but as you can see in another post, it takes a long time to fruit. I have 2 of them and they still haven't fruited yet. It is a little bit marginal for zone 3/4 but mine are growing OK, but slow.

If you want to consider an early apple for our zone, I'd say State Fair. I don't think the early apples are quite as good as the late ones, but at a full month earlier, they are still very good. Handles zone 3/4 easily.

Haralson is a very hardy tree for our zone. Good fresh eating and very good for pies and crisps.

Northerman, beyond the experiences of a few growers here, the general consensus is that Honeycrisp is a relatively precocious variety and is described as such by the University of MN, that developed it. Just google "Honeycrisp, precocity" and you will find lots of support for this description and only the discussion on gardenweb that contradicts it.

I'd hate to see a northern grower reject this variety because of possible misinformation.

I would recommend any apples out of the Minnesota breeding program, especially Zestar.

Honeycrisp keeps freezing back out in my nursery, have tried many times, not even a sign of any live wood left come spring, last year I put it on at home in town, it's alive but borderline for ripening out in zone 3.
Talked to a guy in the city about Zestar,..also boarderline, he couldn't get it grow, it's zone 4.

Matt,..you can graft your crab over if you want.

My grandparents had an orchard of wealthy in northern Montana.
I miss those tart tasty apples and the gallons of cider they would give us..