The tree is moderate to high vigor with spreading crotch angles and a rounded top. It tends to overcrop; thinning will be needed to maintain fruit size and annual bearing. Heading-back pruning cuts may also be necessary to help the tree hold its crops without breakage. Pristine is field immune to scab and resistant to powdery mildew. Although the developer's notes suggest fireblight resistance, we find that the trees are susceptible in our orchard.

One of the best early-season apples, Pristine is literally a "golden apple." It's skin is a beautiful lemon yellow that bears a delicate orange blush on its sun-side. Round, and classically apple shaped, you can easily imagine the most powerful Greek goddesses fighting over this apple. The flesh is pale yellow, crisp, and breaking, and the flavor is a spicy balance of sweet and acid. This apple wants to be eaten right away; it drops readily, bruises easily, and does not store for more than a few weeks.

Pristine comes from the Purdue, Rutgers, and Illinois Universities breeding program. The name, starting with PRI, refers to this program and to the unblemished, scab-free appearance of the apple. It is the pomologist Tom Burford's favorite early-season apple.