Tomcot is a generously sized apricot with the bright color, firm texture, and lively flavor that make an early summer harvest especially satisfying. The medium-to-large fruit develops glossy orange skin with a sun-kissed red blush, while the freestone flesh inside is firm, sweet, and pleasantly tangy. Picked ripe, Tomcot has enough aromatic character for excellent fresh eating and enough structure to perform beautifully in canning, drying, preserves, and baking. White spring blossoms create an attractive display before the colorful crop fills the tree. Its reputation for vigor, reliable production, and superior taste makes Tomcot a strong orchard variety rather than simply an early novelty. For gardeners who want substantial fruit with balanced flavor—and who appreciate a tree that can help open the apricot season—Tomcot offers an inviting combination of beauty, versatility, and dependable homegrown quality. Washington State University breeder Tom Toyama developed Tomcot, and the cultivar name combines “Tom” with the traditional apricot ending “cot.”
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, preferably outside low frost pockets. Citation rootstock creates a manageable semi-dwarf tree. Prune for light and airflow, thin heavy sets to encourage fruit size and protect branches, and provide steady moisture during development.
Tomcot is partly self-fruitful, but the confirmed sheet recommends another apricot for the best production. A compatible partner with overlapping bloom can increase cross-pollination, support stronger fruit set, and extend the orchard’s harvest.
Tomcot Apricot Tree Details
Fruit: Medium-to-large glossy orange freestone apricots with a red blush
Flavor and texture: Firm, sweet, tangy, and aromatic
Best uses: Fresh eating, canning, drying, preserves, and baking
Harvest: Mid- to late June
USDA zones: 4–9
Chill hours: 500 hours or less
Tree size: Semi-dwarf on Citation rootstock
Rootstock: Citation
Pollination: Partly self-fruitful; best production comes with another compatible apricot
Recommended pollinizers or companions: Pair with Royal Blenheim, Harcot, or Chinese Apricot
Special care: Full sun, excellent drainage, frost awareness during bloom, and thinning of heavy fruit sets
Something Special: Washington State University breeder Tom Toyama developed Tomcot, and the cultivar name combines “Tom” with the traditional apricot ending “cot.”
