The Orchard at
Sage Hen Farm:
Apple Trees

Hewes Crab blossom

At Sage Hen Farm in Lodi, NY, we have a young orchard, several older fruit trees planted by a previous owner, and remnants from a much older apple orchard now part of a mixed deciduous woods. Whenever we are asked how many fruit trees we have, we honestly answer that we don't know. We have been planted over 90 trees, including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, and plums. We obtained the trees as bare-roots from different sources, principally from New York State nurseries, Cummins, St. Lawrence, Miller's, and Schlabach's, plus Fedco Trees in Maine and Century Farms in North Carolina. One replacement apple tree came from our local Agway in a pot, . We have concentrated on antique and winter hardy, varieties recommended for cider-making, and some modern cultivars highly recommended for a variety of reasons. We are only beginning to see the first fruits of our efforts. This chart identifies and describes the apple trees in our orchard. On another page is chart of other fruit trees (pear, peach cherry, plum, and apricot). Since we are uncertain as to the identity of most of the established trees, only the trees from the new orchard are included.

A key to the sources used for the ratings is found below the chart.

The tables are divided up by season and color

The table is divided up by season and color:

August: All Colors | September: Yellow, Green, or Russetted and Red | October: Yellow, Green, or Russetted and Red | Crabs

Yellow includes apples that are solid yellow or prominently yellow with a sunny-side red blush.
Red
includes apples that are either solid red or decidedly red, including those with predominant red stripes, streaks, or patches.]

The apple trees in alphabetical order:

Antonovka, Ashmead's Kernal, Autumn Crisp (was NY 674), Baldwin, Black Oxford, Blue Pearmain, Briggs Auburn
Calville Blanc, Chestnut Crab, Cole's Quince, Connell Red, Cox's Orange Pippin
Dolgo Crab, Duchess of Oldenburg, Esopus Spitzenberg, Fameuse (or Snow)
Gala, Garden Royal, Ginger Gold, Golden Pippin, Golden Russet, Red Gravenstein, Ginger Gold, Grimes Golden
Haralson, Hewes Crab, Holstein, Honeycrisp, Hubbardston Nonesuch, Hyslop Crab
Jonagold, Keepsake, Kidd's Orange Red, King David, King of the Pippins, King of Tompkins County
Liberty, Lodi, Magog Redstreak, Mother, Newtown Pippin, Northern Spy, Northfield Beauty
Pitmaston Pine Apple, Porter, Rambo, Redfield, Rhode Island Greening, Roxbury Russet
Smokehouse, St. Edmund's Russet, Sops of Wine, Stayman, Starkey, Striped Harvey
Tolman Sweet, Twenty Ounce, Wagener, Wealthy, Westfield Seek No Further, Winesap, Yellow Bellflower

Apples

AUGUST

ALL COLORS

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Cole's Quince
(Quince of Cole)

[same as or confused with Seneca Spice & Seneca Favorite]

Me.
before 1850

me

large


flattish, ribbed or knobby


rich; sweet to sub-acid

yellow, dotted; thick skinned


yellow, blushed; texture is crisp and tender

early [est.]


late August

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

ME


2007


Row 1

Merits: Tree: annual; early bearer. Fruit: good for fresh & "first-rate" for cooking.

Faults: Fruit: poor keeper.

Merit or fault?: ripens over several weeks.

Ratings: AoNY: favorably mentioned, but not rated; NY1907: _ [Supplanted by better sorts]; Bull91: 5-6/* [97 & 99: no change]; B-H: g-vg; Can: best [but may refer to different apple]; Cole [son of its propagator]: "when in perfection, we have not seen its superior; Eliott: vg; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; ME08: vg; Hooper: 2; UIll: vg for cooking (one of 17 of "greatest promise for general usefulness"); Ragan: vg; Waugh: fair

Duchess of Oldenburg (Borovitsky, Duchess, Oldenburg)

Russia
1700

ta ng


Duchess of Oldenburg

large


round, slightly ribbed


tart

maroon over cream or green, blue bloom; moderately thick skinned


pale cream; semi-firm; texture is moderately fine-grained & juicy

last week in April to second week of May


late Aug to early Sept

G16 (30%)


to z3

 

NY1


2005
first fruit: 2006


Row 3

Merits: Tree: very hardy (ironclad); early bearer; heavy cropper of large fruit; well adapted to different soils and climates; bears fruits uniform in size & shape; fruits hang well on tree; require little pruning. Fruit: prized for early season cooking and sauce;

Faults: Tree: susceptible to various diseases. Fruit: poor keeper; becomes mealy when overripe; not prized for fresh eating.

Merit or fault?: Tree: tip bearer (pruning challenge); ripens over several weeks; tends to be biennial, but often annual; naturally small tree. Fruit: not very juicy (makes it good for baking); reports on flavor vary: not highly flavored, too tart, or well flavored.

Ratings: AoNY: g-vg for culinary purposes; NY1907: * [** in other regions]; NY1916: 13; BC: good; Bull91: 4-5/** [97 & 99: no change]; B-H: described but not rated; Can; dessert fair, cooking good, commercial value - first class; Cole: excellent only for cooking; Lowther: G; Hooper: 2; ME94: good/**; MICH: f/m; Ont: 2/10/10/10; Ragan: good; Waugh: fair ; Wilkinson: good/*

Garden Royal

Massachusetts
before 1800

small to medium


wide, slightly ribbed


rich & pleasant sub-acid

green yellow with dull red & orange-red stripes, dotted; thin skinned


yellow; texture is very tender & juicy;

early [est.]


late August

Antonovka (100%)


to z4

ME

2007

Row 6

Merits: Tree: early bearer; hardy; long-lived. Fruit: pleasantly aromatic; one of highest rated for flavor.

Faults: Tree: biennial. Fruit: poor keeper; tender skin.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally small; heavy cropper, but thinning required for good sized fruit. Fruit: small.

Ratings: AoNY: vg; NY1907: *; Bull1891: 10/** [97: **, 99: *]; B-H: best; Cole: nothing superior; ME94: best/*; Ragan: best; Waugh: best

Lodi
(Improved Yellow Transparent)

Montgomery X Yellow Transparent, NY
1911

aa ea vt ng

large


somewhat
elongated


mild sub-acid to tart

pale yellow; thin & tender skinned


white; texture is moderately soft & tender

First or second week of May
early August

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

NY2


2003
first fruit: 2006


Creekside

 

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad); resistant to apple scab; fruit hangs well. Fruit: prized for sauce & early season pies

Faults: Tree: tends biennial; bears fruits uneven in size & shape. Fruit: very poor keeper; quickly browning flesh; becomes mealy when overripe;

Merit or fault?: Tree: heavy cropper, but much thinning required for good sized fruit and to prevent biennial bearing. Fruit: susceptible to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

Northfield Beauty
(Siberian crab x Hubbardston?)
Vermont.
before 1875;
lost, but reintroduced from California by Albert Etter

ea

medium to large


wide, asymmetric


spicy subacid; complex flavors

red & red stripes dominant over yellow; tender skinned


white; texture is crisp & juicy

First week of May


late Aug into Sept

M111 (80%)


to z3

 

NY1

2008

Row 7

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad); heavy cropper of good-sized fruit; fruit hangs well; resistant to scab. Fruit: one of better keepers among earlier ripening apples; prized for its spicy flavor.

Faults: Tree: short-lived.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally small. Fruit: asymmetrical shape makes it not-so beautiful to some.

Ratings: Bull91: not included [97: not included; 99: 6-8/NR]; Downing: good; AHS: approaching best; Ragan: vg; Waugh: good

Sops of Wine

UK
before 1600

cf

medium to large


roundish, slightly ribbed, asymmetric


subacid, hint of anise

purplish red over crimson, some yellow, dotted; moderately thin & tender skinned


white tinged with pink; texture is soft; but only moderately juicy

Second to third week of May


late Aug thru Sept

M7 (60%)


to z4

 

NY3


2007


Row 6

Merits: Tree: early bearer; heavy cropper of large fruit. Fruit: distinctive red stained white flesh.

Faults: Fruit: poor keeper; becomes mealy when overripe.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large.

Ratings: AoNY: good; Bull1897: 5-6/*; NY1907: _ [Superseded by better varieties]; Bull91: 5-6/*; B-H: g-vg; Elliott: vg; Cole: neither excellent nor profitable; Hooper: 3; WE: good/*; Moore Orchards: mediocre at best; Ont: 2/5/2/0; Ragan: good; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: good

 

SEPTEMBER

PRIMARILY YELLOW, GREEN, or RUSSET

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Antonovka

Russia
before 1750

bh ng

large


wider than classic apple shape


sweet?, sub-acid?, acid?; mild?, spritel/spicy? [reports vary]

yellow; tough skinned


creamy white; texture is coarse, crisp, juicy.

early May [est.]


late Sep

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

ME


2003


creekside

Merits: Tree: very hardy (ironclad); moderate to heavy cropper. Fruit: does not bruise easily; good keeper.

Faults: Fruit: not very flavorful; quickly browning flesh.

Ratings: AoNY: "of no practical value for this state [Beach later revised rating to "good for dessert use" in northern New York; NY1907: _ [May be of value where superior hardiness is a prime requisite]; BC: good; B-H: good; Bull91: 7/_ [97: 7/_; 99: 7/+]; B-H: good; Can: good; Can: good; Ragan: poor

Ginger Gold
(unknown, but Golden Delicious, Winesap, and/or Newtown Pippin may be included in its parentage)
Virginia
1938

aa ny

medium to large


flattish


spicy sweet; complex flavors

green-yellow with slight red blush; tough skinned


white; texture is crisp

 

early [est.]


first and second week of Sept

Antonovka (100%)


to z4

NY2

2009
Row 4

Merits: Tree: bears fruit uniform in size & shape. Fruit: non-browning flesh; does not bruise easily; excellent keeper for fall apple.

Faults: Fruit: cooking or baking.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large. Fruit: sweetness too cloying?

Porter

Mass
before 1800

bc bh ng

medium


elongated


rich, rather acid; complex flavors

bright yellow, with dull orange or red blush; tender skinned


creamy white; semi-firm; texture is fine-grained & moderately juicy

Second to fourth week of May


late Sep

Bud9 (30%)


to z4

NY4
2008


Row 7

Merits: Tree: although biennial, still has decent off-year production; late blooming protects it from frost damage. Fruit: prized for pies; retains shape remarkably well.

Faults: Tree: slow to bear; may drop fruit prematurely. Fruit: quickly browning flesh.

Merit or fault?: Tree: ripens over several weeks. Fruit: too tart for fresh eating?; bruises somewhat easily, but tender skin.

Ratings: AoNY: g-vg; BC: vg; NY1907: *; NY1914: g-vg/**; Bull91: 8-9/** [97 &99: no change]; B-H: vg; Cole: excellent; Can; dessert vg, cooking vg, commercial value - third class; Lowther: B; Hedrick: best of all yellow fall apples; Hooper: 2, deserves a place in every orchard for beauty; Lear: 10; ME94: best/**; MICH: f; NE7; Ont: 5/4/5/3; Ragan: vg-b; UIll: vg-b; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg-b

Special: specifically recommended for pies in early editions of by Fannie Farmer

 

Saint Edmund's Russet
(St. Edmund's Pippin)


UK
before 1870

ta ng

small to medium


flattish


quite sweet, but balanced: complex flavors

russeting over greenish yellow; thick skinned


pale cream; firm; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & very juicy

 

First or second week of May


late Sep

Antonovka (100%)


z3

NY2
2004

Row 1

Merits: Tree: early bearer; some resistance to scab and cedar apple rust. Fruit: non-browning flesh; prized for fresh eating and cider

Faults: Tree: tip bearer (requires special pruning). Fruit: not a good keeper.

Merit or Fault?: Tree: heavy cropper, but thinning required for good sized fruit. Fruit: russet qualities.

Ratings: BC: nr; Browning; Potter; Ragan: not described

Twenty Ounce
(Cayuga Redstreak)

NY
before 1840

ny

very large


roundish, but slightly uneven


brisk sub-acid

greenish yellow, splashed and striped with some red; thick, tough skinned


yellow; texture is coarse & moderately juicy

 

Second week of May


mid or late Sept thru October

M7 (60%)

to z3

NY1


2008
first fruit: 2009


Row 7

Merits: Tree: bears early & abundantly; bears fruits of uniform large size; fruits hold well to tree. Fruit: excellent keeper for ripening so early; does not bruise easily; premier pie & baking apple; for home & commercial orchards.

Faults: Tree: subject to sun scald, canker, & winter injury. Fruit: not favored for fresh eating.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large; limbs droop rather than spread.

Ratings: AoNY: good for culinary, 2nd rate for fresh; NY1907: ** [One of the best of the fall varieites]; NY1914: g/**; NY1916: 8; Bull91: 6-7/** [97 & 99: no change]; BC: good; B-H: good; Can; dessert poor, cooking good, commercial value - first to seond class; Hooper: 2; ME94: vg/*; MICH: m; OPnt: 2/8/7/8; Ragan: g-vg; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: g to vg/*

SEPTEMBER

PROMINENTLY RED

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Autumn Crisp (NY 674)
(Golden Delicious X Monroe)
NY
1968?, named in 2009

medium to large


classic apple shape
sub-acid to tart

red dominant over a greenish yellow; moderately tough skinned


white; texture is crisp,fine-grained & juicy

Second week of May


mid Sep

M26 (40%)


to z5

NY1


2007
first fruit: 2010


Row 6

Merits: Tree: early bearer. Fruit: exceptionally non-browning flesh; holds shape well in baking; high levels of Vitamin C.

Faults: Fruit: litle flavor beyond tartness according to a couple taste tests.

Rating:

Special: Mott's valued it enough to negotiate with Cornell for exclusive rights to it, I think for the purpose of developing apple slices or chips as a new snack food. As the new name and increased availability in 2009 indicates, the deal was not completed.

Fameuse (Snow)
(parentage unknown)
Canada
before 1730

small to medium


rounder than classic apple shape


sweet, with some sub-acid
prominent red over yellow; moderately thin skinned

yellowis


non-browning white; tender, aromatic, juicy

First or second week of May


first week of Oct

Bud9 (30%)
to z3

NY1


2007

Merits: Tree: hardy and productive. Fruit: non-browning flesh.

Faults: Tree: biennial, upright growth. Fruit: susceptible to scab, tender; not a good keeper.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: musky aroma

Ratings: AoNY: vg for dessert; NY1914: vg/X; A21: vg; ; Bull91: 8-9/** [97 &99: no change]; B-H: vg; Can; dessert best, cooking fair, excellent for jellies, commercial value - first class; Elliot: vg; Hooper: 2; NE16; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**; Ont: 9/5/9/8; Ragan: vg; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg-b/*.

Gala
(Kidd's Orange Red x Golden Delicious)
NZ
1934. named in 1965

aa cf op

medium


classic apple shape


mild, sweet

yellow, with thin orange & red stripes; moderately thin skinned

yellowis


h-white; texture is moderately crisp, very fine-grained, & juicy

early [est.]


first or second week of Sept

G11 (40%)
to z4

NY1


2009

Merits: Tree: resistant to mildew; crops heavily regularly; widely recommended for both home and coommercial orchards. Fruit: has become a new standard for sweet fresh eating apples; holds its shape when cooked.

Faults: Tree: susceptible to scab; requires much thinning for good sized fruit; brittle wood breaks under heavy loads. Fruit: turns mealy when over ripe; too bland when cooked; too bland for good cider.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: .

Ratings: A21: vg to best

Red Gravenstein
Europe
before 1650,
red strain before 1880

aa op ng

medium to large


flattish, ribbed, often lopsided


sub-acid to tart; complex flavors

red stripes & splashes over orangy yellow; thin skinned


ivory; texture is crisp, very fine-grained & very juicy

First or second week of May
early Sept thru late Sept or even later

M7 (60%)


to z4 or z5

NY1


2007


Row 6

Merits: Tree: early bearing; requires little pruning; widely recommended for both home and coommercial orchards. Fruit: prized for sprightly rich flavor; handles well; considered best early season cider apple

Faults: Tree: biennial; triploid (does not pollinate); may drop fruit prematurely; susceptible to scab & various diseases; subject to winter damage. Fruit: skin can become greasy; quickly browning.

Merit or fault?: Tree: productive or not very productive (reports vary); ripens over several weeks. Fruit: subject to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

Ratings: AoNY: vg-b; NY1907: **: NY1914: vg-b/*; BC: vg]; Bull91: 5-6/** [97: no change; 99: 8-9/**]; B-H: excellent; Can; dessert vg, cooking vg, commercial value - first class; Cole: one of the handsomest and best; Hooper: sometimes excellent; Lear: 9; ME94: vg/**; MICH: f; NE2; Ont: 9/9/10/10; UIll: vg-b; Ragan: vg; Unimpeachable; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg

Honeycrisp
(Keepsake, open pollinated, not Macoun X Honeygold, as once thought)
Minn.
1991

aa mn

large


classic apple shape


sweet, with some sub-acid

red & orange over yellow, dotted; moderately thick skinned


cream texture is very crisp & coarse

 

mid-May [est.]


second or third week of Sept

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

ME


2004


Row 4

Merits: Tree: very hardy; annual; widely recommended for both home and coommercial orchards in northern climates. Fruit: exceptionally crisp; a new favorite for fresh eating.

Faults: Fruit: not tart enough or right texture for good cooking or baking.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally dwarfing; has reputation for being early bearer, but not true in our orchard.

Ratings: A21: vg

Special: Minnesota's State Apple.

Jonagold
(Jonathan x Golden Delicious)
NY
1968

aa op

large

classic apple shape


well-balanced sweet-tart content, but on the sweet side

yellow with red stripes; red may or may not be prominent; tender skinned
yellowish-white; texture is coarse, moderately crisp, & very juicy.
mid [est.]

late Sept into Oct

M7 (60%)
to z5
VA

2010


Row 3

Merits: Tree: heavy cropper of large fruit; somewhat resistant to scab; little pre-harvest drop; widely recommended for both home and coommercial orchards. Fruit: aromatic; slow-browning flesh makes it a good choice for salads; has become a new standard for fresh eating; prized for multiple purposes.

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate); susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, and several diseases; subject to winter injury. Fruit: soft texture in some climates.

Ratings: Browning; A21: vg to best

Special: finished first among "The World's Best Commercial Dessert Apples," in a poll of 19 apple experts in 1989.

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

King of the Pippins
(King of Pippins, Golden Winter Pearmain)


UK
before 1800

op ng

small to medium

somewhat more elongated than classic apple shape, sometimes lopsided


sweet sharp, vinous, almond-like or nutty; complex flavors

red and orange stripes dominant over yellow; thick skinned

pale cream; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & moderately juicy.

 

Second week of May to first week of June


late Sept into Oct

G16 (30%)


to z5

NY1


2005
first fruit: 2006


Row 2

Merits: Tree: certain & abundant cropper; grows well in many different soils; Fruit: highly aromatic; rich flavor; prized for nutty character in cider blending.

Faults: Fruit: quickly browning flesh.

Merit or fault?: Tree: heavy cropper, but much thinning required for good sized fruit and to prevent biennial bearing; distinctive, sharp flavor does not appeal to everyone.

Ratings: BC: nr; Elliott: unworthy; Ragan: g ; UIll: g-vg; VT.

Mother
(American Mother)
Mass
before 1850

ta

medium


classic apple shape


pleasant, spicy, well-balanced sweet-tart content; complex flavors

yellow, with red stripes; thin skinned


cream; texture is very fine-grained, tender, & juicy

mid-May [est.]


early Sep


M7 (60%)


to z4

NY1


2008


Row 7

Merits: Tree: late blooming protects it from frost damage. Fruit: prized as one of the best tasting fresh eating apples; non-browning flesh; aromatic.

Faults: Tree: slow grower; thinning required for good sized fruit and to prevent biennial bearing. Fruit: does not keep well.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally small. Fruit: almost melting flesh

Ratings: AoNY: vg-best; NY1907: * [Tree characters poor. Appearance and quality of the best]; BC: vg; B-H: best; Browning; Bull91: 8-9/** [97: no change; 99: 8-9/*]; Cole: has no superior, and few equals, delightful mingling of sub-acid & saccharine; Elliot: vg; Hooper: 2; Lowther: B; ME94: best/**; Ont: 8/7/6/6; Potter; Ragan: best ; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: best

Rambo
(Winter Rambo, Bread and Cheese)
Delaware or Pa.
before 1700

medium


flattish


rich, sprightly, well-balanced sweet-tart content; complex flavors

pale greenish yellow mottled & streaked with red; thin but tough skinned


yellow; texture is very crisp, moderately fine-grained, & juicy

mid-May [est.]


late Sep

M111 (80%)


to z5 [marginal for the Finger Lakes]

NC

2009
Row 6

Merits: Tree: grows well in many different soils; bears fruits uniform in shape and size; very productive. Fruit: praised for its wonderful, peculiar, spicy aroma; prized for fresh eating and cooking; has special aroma; does not bruise easily.

Faults: Tree: biennial; slow grower; upright growth; of questionable hardiness in northern climate; brittle wood breaks under heavy loads; subject to winter injury. Fruits: not long keeping.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: red color is often dull or lacking.

Ratings: AoNY: good to vg, particularly desirable for dessert; NY1907: _ [Tender tree; productive to a fault; excellent quality.]; Bull1891: 5-6/* [97: no change; 99: 7-8/*]; BC: nr; B-H: vg; Can; dessert vg, cooking good, commercial value - third class; Cole: one of the finest; Elliott: has no superior; Hooper: 1; Lear: 10; Lowther: vg; Ont:5/1/2/5; Ragan: vg; UIll: very good; Unimpeachable; VT; Waugh: good; Wilkinson: vg.

Special: Favorite apple of Hoosier poet John Whitcomb Riley, who wrote an ode to the Rambo and mentioned it by name in four other poems. Falsely claimed to be favorite apple of Johnny Appleseed; John Chapman, for religious reasons, shunned all varieties such as the Rambo that were perpetuated through grafting.

Wealthy
(Siberian crab open pollinated [possibly with Rambo])
Minn., from Me.
before 1860

mn vt
Wealthy

medium


classic apple shape, slightly ribbed


sub-acid, mild

red stripes over pale greenish yellow; tough, thin skinned


greenish white tinged with pink; texture is moderately crisp, moderately fine-grained, & moderately juicy

Second week of May


mid Sep to early Oct

 

Bud118 (90%)


to z3

NY1


2007


Row 6

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad); early bearer; non-browning flesh. Fruit: does not bruise easily

Faults: Tree: biennial; thinning required for good sized fruits; may drop fruit prematurely; Fruit: skin can become greasy; susceptible to cedar-apple rust and fireblight.

Merit or fault?: Tree: heavy cropper only when tree is young; ripens over several weeks.

Ratings: AoNY: g-vg; NY1907: * [** in some other NY regions]; NY1914: g-vg/**; NY1916: l/sp; BC: good; B-H: vg; Bull91: 6/** [97: no change; 99: 6-7/**]; Can; dessert good, cooking good, commercial value - first class; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; MICH: f/m; Ont: 8/6/9/9; Ragan: vg; Waugh: fair ; Wilkinson: vg/*

OCTOBER

PRIMARILY YELLOW, GREEN, or RUSSET

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Ashmead's Kernel

UK
before 1700

aa cf op ng

small to medium
irregular, slightly ribbed
sharp, sprightly,complex flavors
yellow russet; rough, thick skinned

creamy white; texture is coarse & juicy

mid-May [est.]
mid/late Oct

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

NY2


2004
Row 3

Merits: Tree: early bearer; resistant to scab, powdery mildew. Fruit: very crisp; very juicy; highly aromatic; prized for tartness in cider blends.

Faults: Tree: thinning required to prevent biennial bearing. Fruit: quickly browning flesh

Merit or fault?: russet qualities.

Ratings: A21:vg-b; BC: nr; Grootendors: "in first rank for the fruit garden"; Potter; Ragan: good

Briggs Auburn

Me.
before 1850

me

large


flattish


sweet to sub-acid, mild

yellow, blushed; tough skinned


creamy white; texture is moderately coarse & moderately juicy

 

Second week of May


early Oct

Antonovka (100%)


to z3

ME


2006
first fruit: 2010


Row 3

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad); annual; moderate to heavy cropper. Fruit: good keeper; does not bruise easily; regionally prized for fresh eating.

Faults: Fruit: not highly regarded for cooking or baking.

Rating: ME08: vg; Ragan: good

Calville Blanc d'Hiver
(White WInter Calville)


France
before 1600

op

med


more elongated than classic apple shape, prominently ribbed; often misshaped


rich, sweet, spicy, sprightly; complex flavors

pale yellow tinged with green, with faint blush; speckled; smooth skinned


yellowish-white; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & tender

late May [est.]


late Oct

M7 (60%)


to z3

NY1


2008


Row 7

Merits: Tree: late blooming protects it from frost damage. Fruit: non-browning flesh; very high in Vitamin C.

Faults: Tree: slow to bear, slower to bear good quality fruit; shy bearer; requires long season. Fruit: tender skin.

Merit or Fault: Fruit: odd shape; can look blemished when it is not; optimum flavor develops after storager.

Ratings: BC: good; Elliott: unworthy; Browning; Grootendors: "one of our all time favorites for dessert and for all culinary uses"; Ragan: p

Golden Russet
(possibly English Russet seedling)
[of several apples called Golden Russet, the one that remains (at least most commonly) was formerly known as the Golden Russet of Western New York]
NY before 1750

cf ng

medium to large
round

sweet, sprightly; complex flavors

yellow russet; rough, tough, thick skinned

cream; texture is tender & juicy

First or second week of May
late Oct
M7 (60%)

to z4

NY1

2004
first fruit: 2007


Rows 1 & 3

Merits: Tree: annual, naturally spreading; heavy cropper; some resistance to scab and cedar apple rust; bears fruit of uniform large size; fruits tolerate fall frosts and mild freezes. Fruit: does not bruise easily; prized as one of few varieties recommended for unblended cider; high in sugar and Vitamin C.

Faults: Tree: tip bearer; since blooms early but requires long season, can be challenged by frost in both spring & fall; fruit hard to pick. Fruit: not pretty; quickly browning flesh.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large. Fruit: russet quality.

Ratings: AoNY: vg  to best; NY1907: *; NY1914: vg/*; NY1916: 8; BC: vg; B-H: best; Bull91: 5-6/** or 8-9/*, depending on similarly named varieties [97 & 99: no change]; Browning; Can; dessert fair, cooking good, commercial value - first class; Hooper: 1; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; MICH: f/m; Ont: 9/8/8/9; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: g to best

Grimes Golden

WV
before 1800

cf op ng

medium (or smaller in NY)


classic apple shape, slightly ribbed


sweet; but complex, intense flavor

yellow, some russet; tough, moderately rough skin
pale cream tinged with orange; texture is between soft & crisp, moderately coarse, & very juicy
First or second week of May
mid/late Oct

Antonovka (100%)
to z5 [marginal for the Finger Lakes, but sold by St. Lawrence a nursery specializing in hardy trees]
NY2
2004
first fruit 2009

Row 2

Merits: Tree: annual; good pollinator; often heavy cropper; moderately resistant to fire blight & cedar-apple rust. Fruit: does not bruise easily; beautful rich golden color; aromatic

Faults: Tree: slow to mature; may drop fruit prematurely; fruit not uniform in size; quality variable due to soil and climate (reputation poorer in north), susceptible to scald; subject to collar rot. Fruit: very susceptable to bruise marks; doesn't keep long before going soft.

Ratings: AoNY: vg to best; NY1907: _ [* in Hudson Valley region]; NY1914: vg-B/*; A21: vg to best; BC: vg; B-H: best; Bull91: 7-9/** [97: 7-9/*; 99: 9-10/**]; Can: dessert best, cooking poor, commercial value - second class; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; MICH: f/m; Ont: 9/2/6/7; Ragan: vg-b; UIll: one of the best; Waugh: best; Wilkinson: vg to best/*

Special: called "perfect apple when considered from the consumers; standpoint" in "Varieties of Apples in Ohio," 1915.

Newtown Pippin (Albemarle Pippin, Yellow Newtown)
NY
before 1760

aa cf

medium to large


irregular


subacid to tart, sprightly

greenish yellow, dotted, often russeted; tough skin


cream to greenish white; texture is crisp, moderately fine-grained

early May [est.]


late Oct


Bud9 (30%)


to z5

NY1


2007


Row 6

Merits: Tree: tends toward biennial; fruits hang on trees for long time. Fruit: does not bruise easily; prized for its clear juice in cider making.

Faults: Tree: slow to mature; weak grower; quality variable depending on soil; susceptible to scab, mildew. Fruit: not pretty, but today's standards; very quickly browning flesh.

Merit or Fault?: Tree: bears fruits of variable size and color; early bearer or slow to mature (reports very). Fruit: optimum flavor develops after storage.

Ratings: AoNY: best; NY1907: _ [** in Hudson Valley]; NY1914: b/*; A21: best ; BC: vg; B-H: best; Bull91: 10/* [97: no change; 99:8-9/*]; Browning; Can: dessert first class, cooking first class, commercial value - first class; Grootendors: "fully merits [Beach's best] rating"; Hooper: 1; Lowther: vg for Green, B for Yellow; Ont: 9/9/7/10; Ragan: Green=b, Yellow=vg-b; Waugh: best; Wilkinson: vg to best/*

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Pitmaston Pine Apple
(English Golden Pippin seedling)
UK
before 1785

ta

small


elongated, tapered


sweet, sprightly

golden, russeted; rough, thick skinned


yellow; texture is crisp & fine-grained

Second to fourth week of May
mid Oct

G16 (30%)


to z5 (but sources differ widely)

NY1


2006


Row 5

Merits: Fruit: very juicy; highly aromatic; prized for rich, sweet flavoring in cider.

Faults: Tree: shy to moderate cropper. Fruit: goes mealy quickly

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally small tree; Fruit: russet qualities; small; subject to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

Ratings: BC: nr; Ragan: [described but not rated]

Rhode Island Greening

RI
before 1650

aa ta ng

large


somewhat flattish


tart, sprightly

grass green with late developing yellow tinge & occasional bright cheek, dotted, slight bloom; moderately thick skinned


greenish-yellow; texture is crisp, tender, & juicy

Third week of May


mid Oct


 

M7 (60%)


to z4

NY1


2005


Row 5

Merits: Tree: reliably heavy cropper; bears fruits uniform in shape and large size; long lived; once second leading apple variety grown in New York State. Fruit: very juicy; aromatic; keeps well even in less than ideal conditions (except for some scalding).

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate), slow to mature; biennial; may drop fruit prematurely; susceptible to scab, mildew, cankers. Fruit: bruises easily.

Merit or Fault?: Tree: naturally spreading and droopy, but crooked growth. Fruit: waxy skin.

Ratings: AoNY: vg; NY1907: **; NY1914: vg/**; NY1916: 2; A21: vg ; B-H: vg; Bull91: 7/** [97: no change; 99: 7-8/**]; Can: dessert fair, cooking best, commercial value - best; Hooper: 1 (but variable with location); Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**; MICH: f/m; NE1; Ont: 8/10/8/8; Waugh: good; Wilkinson: vg; Unimpeachable

Roxbury Russet

Mass.
before 1650
[1st recorded North American cultivar]

cf ng
Roxbury

med-large


irregular, slightly ribbed


sub-acid to tart

green brown russet; rough, thick skinned


quickly browning cream; texture is moderately coarse & juicy

Second week of May


mid Oct

M7 (60%)


to z4

NY1


2004
first fruit: 2007


Row 4

Merits: Tree: keeps well even in less than ideal storage; resistant to scab & cedar apple rust; once fifth leading apple variety grown in New York State. Fruit: prized for rich flavoring & high sugar content for cider.

Faults: Tree: biennial; often a shy bearer; quality variable due to soil and climate; fruit subject to cracking; may drop fruit prematurely. Fruit: quickly browning flesh; rough skin is not attractive.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: russet quality; coarse flesh; does not bruise easily, but tough skin.

Ratings: AoNY: good to vg; NY1907: **; NY1914: g-vg/**; NY1916: 4; BC: nr; A21: good to vg; B-H: g-vg; Bull91: 7-8/** [97: no change; 99: 6-7/**]; Browning; Can: dessert only fair, cooking good, commercial value - first class; Grootendors: "shows an austere perfection and refinement of flavor"; Lowther: vg; Hooper: 3 for table, 1 to 2 for cooking; ME94: vg/*; NE11; Ont: 6/8/8/9; Waugh: good; Wilkinson: g to vg

Tolman Sweet
(Tallman Sweeting, Talman)


Mass.
before 1860

vt

medium


classic apple shape


decidedly sweet

pale yellow, with distinct brown line from top to bottom; tough skinned


yellowish white; texture is between soft & crisp, texture is moderately dry; moderately fine-grained

mid-May [est.]


mid Oct

G11 (40%)


to z3

NY1

2009


Row 6

Merits: Tree: Hardy [nearly ironclad]; early bearer; reliable cropper. Fruit: prized among sweet apples for fresh eating; once among top ten leading apple varieties grown in New York State.

Faults: Fruit: quickly browning flesh; varies in keeping quality.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally small. Fruit: moderately dry flesh .

Ratings: AoNY: g to vg; NY1907: * [** in northern NY]; NY1914: g-vg/**; NY1916: l/sp; BC: good; Bull91: 6-7/** [97 & 99: no change]; B-H: vg for a sweet apple; Can: dessert good, cooking fair, commercial value - second class, except in special markets; Hooper: 1: Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**-_; MICH: f/m; NE9; Ont: 2/7/5/6; Ragan: g; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: vg.

Yellow Bellflower
(Yellow Belle Fleur)

NJ
before 1800

bc ta

medium to v. large


distinctively elongated,
ribbed


briskly tart, then sub-acid

pale yellow with brownish blush; thin, tender skinned


yellowish white; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & juicy

early May [est.]


early Oct


Antonovka (100%)


to z5

NY2

2009
Row 7

Merits: Fruit: valued for multiple purposes; prized for the zing it can bring to cider blends.

Faults: Tree: slow grower; shy cropper; bears fruits variable in size; may drop fruit prematurely; susceptible to scab; quality variable due to soil. Fruit: bruises easily; quickly browning flesh.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: tart when first picked [ideal for baking], but mellows and sweetens in storage..

Ratings: AoNY: vg to best; NY1907: *; NY1914: g/*; BC: good; B-H: vg or best; Bull91: 7-8/** [97: no change; 99: 8-9/*]; Can: dessert good, cooking good, commercial value - home market first class; Hooper: 1; Lear: 10; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**; Ont:8/7/5/5; Ragan: vg; Unimpeachable; Waugh: vg

OCTOBER

PROMINENTLY RED

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Baldwin (Woodpecker)

Mass.
before 1740

aa ta

large


classic apple shape


pleasant, well-balanced sweet-tart content

multiple shades of red stripes & mottling, dominant over yellow; tough skinned


white tinged with green; texture is moderately coarse & very juicy;

mid-May [est.]


mid to late Oct

Antonovka (100%)
to z5 (marginal in z4)

ME


2004


Row 1

Merits: Tree: heavy cropper; long lived; grows well on a variety of soils; bears fruit of uniform large size; once leading apple variety grown in New York & other northern states. Fruit: keeps well; does not bruise easily; attractive in shape & color; prized for quality for multiple purposes; revered for excellence as cider base.

Faults: Tree: more strictly biennial than most other varieties; triploid (does not pollinate); below average for Northern tree in hardiness; subject to winter damage; thinning advised to avoid limb breakage; susceptible to scab.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large; occasionally a moderate cropper on off years.

Ratings: AoNY: good to very good; NY1907: **; NY1914: g-vg/**; NY1916: 1; BC: good; Bull1897: 5-6/* [99: **]; B-H: vg; Can: dessert fair, cooking good, commercial value - first class; Hooper: 1 (where it succeeds); Lear: 9; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**; MICH: f/m; NE3; Ont: 2/5/7/8; Ragan: vg; Unimpeachable; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: vg

Special: America's first dominant commercial variety (for more than 75 years).

Black Oxford

Me.
before 1790

me

small to medium


classic apple shape


mild, sub-acid to tart

deep purple, blue bloom, dotted; tough skinned


greenish white; texture is crisp, very firm, and moderately dry

Second to third week of May


late Oct

Antonovka (100%)
to z3

ME


2004
first fruit: 2010


Row 3

Merits: Tree: annual; disease resistant; late blooming protects it from frost damage; fruits tolerate fall frosts and mild freezes. Fruit: handsome dark color.

Faults: its hard flesh earned it the nickname “the rock.”

Merit or fault?: moderately dry flesh

Ratings: BC: nr; B-H: good; ME94: .../_; ME08: good; Ragan: g

Blue Pearmain

New England
early 1800s

aa ng

large


flattish, but variable & irregular; some ribbing


sweet, with some sub-acid, mild, pleasant

deep red yellow, blue bloom, dotted; tough skinned


creamy yellow; texture is coarse, moderately juicy, & moderately soft.

Second to fourth week of May


mid Oct

Antonovka (100%)
to z3

St Lawrence


2004
first fruit: 2010


Row 3

Merits: Tree: very hardy; long lived. Fruit: handsome coloring; does not bruise easily; aromatic.

Faults: Tree: slow to bear. Fruit: not crisp.

Merit or fault: mixed reports on bearing, shy or productive.

Ratings: AoNY: good; BC: good; B-H: vg; Elliott: vg; Bull1897: 6/**; NY1907: _ [* in northern NY region]; Can: good, commercial value - not profitable because of its unproductiveness; Lowther: G; ME94: g/*; Ont: 6/6/8/8; Ragan: vg; Waugh: fair; Wilkinson: vg

Special: featured in Thoreau's essay "Wild apples"

Connell Red
(Red Fireside)


(thought to be red sport of Fireside (McIntosh x Longfield)), but may be open pollenated Fireside, discovered in Wisc. in 1956

mn

very large to huge


classic apple shape


flavorful, well-balanced sweet-tart content

red, with waxy bloom; moderately thick skinned.


white; texture is crisp & fine-grained.

 

mid-May [est.]


mid Oct

Antonovka (100%)


to z4

NY2

 


2009

Merits: Tree: heavy cropper; fruits tolerate fall frosts and mild freezes; resistant to scab, cedar apple rust and fireblight; widely recommended for both home and coommercial orchards. Fruit: very aromatic; prized for fresh eating & cider.

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate); produces fruits of non-uniform size. Fruit: subject to cracking; quickly browning flesh: skin can become greasy.

Merit or fault: Tree: usually, but unreliably annual.

Rating: top pick at taste test held at Cooperative Extension in Ithaca, 2007.

Esopus Spitzenberg
NY
before 1790

cf op ta ng

med-large


classic apple shape, but blocky & slightly ribbed


sprightly; well-balanced sweet-tart content; complex flavors

dark red stripes over red, dominant over some yellow, dotted, slight bloom; tough skinned.


deep cream; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & juicy

Second to third week of May


mid Oct

M9 (30%) & G16 (30%)
to z4 or z5

NY1


2006
& 2007


Rows 4 & 5

Merits: Tree: bears fruit of uniform size; once among top ten leading apple varieties grown in New York State. Fruit: unexcelled in rich, spicy, exceedingly high flavor; attractive in shape & color; does not bruise easily; non-browning flesh

Faults: Tree: slow to bear; biennial; shy to moderate bearer; acks vigor; susceptible to canker, scab & fire blight; quality variable due to soil and climate -- requires rich, fertile soil.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: ripens over several weeks; subject to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

Ratings: AoNY: vg to best; NY1907: * [** in some other regions]; NY1914: vg-b/**; BC: vg; Bull1897: 10/* [99: **]; B-H: best; Can: first class for all purposes; Grootendors: "one of the best to eat out of hand" ; Lowther: B; A21: vg to best; Browning; Hooper: 1 to 2; ME94: best/*; NE24; Ont: 9/7/9?10; Ragan: b; Unimpeachable; Waugh: best; Wilkinson: vg to best

Special: planted by T. Jefferson, Washington Irving & G. Washington

Haralson
(Malinda x Wealthy)
Minn
1913

mn

medium


somewhat more elongated than classic apple shape


tart, then sub-acid

red & red stripes over yellow, dotted; moderately thick skinned


white; texture is crisp & firm

 

First to third week of May


early Oct

 

M7 (60%)
to z3

NY1


2002
first fruit: 2006


Creekside

Merits: Tree: early bearer, heavy cropper of good sized fruit; moderately resistant to fireblight. Fruit: very good for multiple purposes; prized as a good cider base.

Faults: Tree: susceptible to cedar-apple rust &scab. Fruit: subject to cracking & russeting under humid conditions.

Merit or fault: Tree: heavy cropper, but thinning required for good sized fruit and to prevent biennial bearing. Fruit: does not bruise easily, but tough skin; tart when first picked [ideal for baking], but mellows and sweetens in storage; subject to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

 

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Holstein
(Holsteiner Cox)
(Cox's Orange x unknown)
Germany
1918

op

large


wider than classic apple shape

sweet, sprightly, spicy; complex flavors

bright red over orange with some yellowtough, but moderately thin skinned


deep yellow with tinge of orange texture is moderately coarse & juicy

mid or late May [est.]


early Oct

 

G30 (50%)
to z4
NY1

2008
Row 7

Merits: Tree: resistant to scab. Fruit: non-browning flesh; prized for fresh eating and cider; shares many qualities of Cox's Orange, but is larger size.

Faults: Tree: biennial; susceptible to scab and canker. Fruit: subject to cracking.

Ratings: Grootendors: "unblemished fruit of equally exquisite flavor"

Special: in a Danish five-year study published in 2003 that tested organically grown, unsprayed trees, the Holsteiner Cox was the only variety of 14 that combined high yield, good fruit size and good eating quality with an acceptably low susceptibility to disease.

Hubbardston Nonesuch

Mass.
before 1830

aa ta
Hubbardston Nonesuch

large


somewhat flattish

sweet with some sub-acid, sprightly

dull brownish or bright red over yellow, dotted, some russet; rough, thick skinned.


pale cream; texture is moderately soft & juicy

First to second week of May


early/mid Oct
G16 (30%)
to z5

NY1


2004
first fruit: 2007

Row 4

Merits: Tree: early bearer; heavy cropper; annual; once among top ten leading apple varieties grown in New York State. Fruit: prized for fresh eating & cider; natural gloss gives handsome appearance; slow-browning flesh makes it a good choice for salads; very juicy.

Faults: Tree: bears fruit of various sizes and coloring; thinning required for good sized fruit & to prevent biennial bearing; susceptible to winter injury; subject to collar rot; may drop fruit prematurely. Fruit: "hammered" skin can become greasy; not prized for pies & other baking; loses flavor in storage.

Ratings: AoNY: very good to best; NY1907: **; NY1914: vg-b/**; NY1916: 7; BC: nr; B-H: vg; Bull1897: 8-9/**; Can: very good, commercial value - first class; Cole: excellent; NE14; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/**; MICH: f/m; Ont: 7/8/8/8; Ragan: vg; UIll: very good; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg

Keepsake
(MN 447 [Malinda open pollinated] X Northern Spy)
Minn. 1936, released 1979

mn

small to medium


irregularly shaped


subacid to tart, sprightly

red stripes over yellow; slight bloom; thick skinned.


creamy yellow; texture is crisp & coarse.

Second to third week of May


mid Oct
Bud9 (30%)
to z3

NY1


2005
first fruit: 2007


Row 5

Merits: Tree: annual somewhat resistant to fire blight, scab & cedar apple rust; fruits tolerate fall frosts and mild freezes. Fruit: non-browning flesh.

Faults: Fruit: not pretty.

Ratings: A21: good to vg

Kidd's Orange Red
(Cox's Orange Pippin x Red Delicious)
NZ
1924

op
Kidd's Orange

medium to large

somewhat elongated, slightly ribbed


well-balanced sweet-tart content, sprightly

yellow crimson, dotted, occasionally russeting; thick skinned


deep cream; texture is fine-grained & firm.

Second to third week of May


mid Oct


Bud9 (30%)
to z5 or higher [marginal for the Finger Lakes]

NY1


2006

Row 5

Merits: Tree: annual (if thinned); some resistance to fireblight & scab. Fruit: very juicy; non-browning flesh

Faults: Tree: susceptible to scab & canker; requires thinning for large sized fruit; best suited in climate warmer than the Finger Lakes. Fruit: dull colored; has tendency to russet

Merit or fault: slow to bear or precocious (depending on source)

Ratings: A21: vg

King David

Ark.
before 1890

ta

medium


round


very rich, sprightly, spicy; complex flavors

dark red very dominant over hint of green; tough, thin skinned


yellow; texture is crisp, firm, & very juicy.

late May [est.]


late Oct

 

M111 (80%)
to z5
NC

2009
Row 6

Merits: Tree: bears early; late blooming protects it from frost damage; bears fruits uniform in size & shape; fruits hang on trees for long time; fruits tolerate fall frosts and mild freezes. Fruit: natural gloss gives handsome appearance; does not bruise easily; aromatic.

Faults: Tree: requires long season.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally large. Fruit: coarse flesh; subject to sweet water core [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core].

Ratings: NY Bulletin 385 [suppl to AoNY]: good to vg; NY1914: g/+; Browning; Lowther: B.

King of Tompkins County
(King, Tompkins King)

NY
before 1800

bc op

large to very large


classic apple shape, slightly ribbed


well-balanced sweet-tart content, but sweeter than tart

yellow orange red, with bloom; smooth, moderately thick skin.


yellow; texture is crisp, moderately coarse, & juicy.

Second to third week of May


early/mid Oct



Bud9 (30%)
to z4

NY1


2005


Row 2

Merits: Tree: annual; naturally spreading; once fourth leading apple variety grown in New York State. Fruit:

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate; although has some self-fertility) slow to bear; may drop fruit prematurely; susceptible to mildew & scab; subject to collar rot. Fruit: waxy skin becomes greasy in storage.

Merit or fault?: Tree: moderately productive [does that mean average or below average?]; Fruit: subject to sweet water core. [provides special burst of flavor, but lead to decay at core]

Ratings: AoNY: very good to best; NY1907: **; NY1914: vg-b/**; NY1916: 4; B-H: vg-best; Bull1897: 8-9/**; Can; dessert vg, cooking vg, commercial value - first class; Grootendors: "brings back childhood memories of the way a real apple ought to taste"; Lear: 8; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; MICH: f; Ont: 8/10/10/10; Ragan: vg-b; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Liberty
(Macoun X PRI 54-12)
NY
1962

cf

small to medium


classic apple shape, but
variable


mild, sweet with some subacid

red very dominant over yellow, slight bloom; thin skinned


white; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & moderately juicy.

 

First to second of May


early Oct

Antonovka (100%)


to z4

ME


2004
first fruit: 2007


Row 4

Merits: Tree: annual; heavy cropper; very resistant to disease. Fruit: very crisp; good for multiple purposes; considered by many to be highest quality of the varieties bred for disease resistance.

Faults: Tree: may drop fruit prematurely; somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew. Fruit: has milder flavor than its non-disease-resistant parents; goes mealy & mushy quickly when overripe.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: slightly coarse flesh; optimum flavor develops after storage.

Ratings: A21: vg

Magog Redstreak

Vermont
before 1870

large


flattish, faintly ribbed


sub-acid

red splashed over light yellow, some russet; tough, thin skinned


cream; juicy; texture is moderately fine-grained & very juicy

 

Second to third week of May


early Oct

M111 (80%)


to z3

NY1


2008


Row 7

Merits: Tree: very hardy (ironclad).

Faults: Tree: tends toward biennial.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: peculiar flavor liked by some, disliked by others; quality may be good only compared to other hardy trees.

Ratings: AoNY: good; BC: medium; B-H: fair to good; Bull99: 7-8/X; NY1907: _; Can: good, commercial value - third class; Hedrick (in 1922): has been on probation for nearly a half a century, but of unquestionable excellence as a culinary apple; Lowther: G; ME94: .../...; Ont: 3/7/5/7; Ragan: [described but not rated]; Waugh: good; Wilkinson: good;

Northern Spy
(thought to be Wagener open pollinated)
NY
before 1800

aa ta ng
Northern Spy

large


classic apple shape, slightly ribbed


well-balanced sweet-tart content, but tarter than sweet, sprightly

multiple shades of red over a pale yellow, bloom; thin skinned


pale cream; texture is crisp & fine grained.

Second week of May to first week of June


mid/late Oct

M9 (30%)


to z4

NY1


2004
first fruit: 2009


Row 4

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad); late blooming protects it from frost damage; reliable bearer; long lived; once third leading apple variety grown in New York State. Fruit: aromatic; classic apple flavor; natural gloss gives handsome appearance; prized for multiple purposes, especially pies.

Faults: Tree: slow to mature; susceptible to scab, bitter pit; quality variable due to soil; irregular bearer. Fruit: subject to cracking; susceptable to bruise marks.

Merit or fault?: Fruit: bruises easily, but stores well if careful packed.

Ratings: AoNY: vg to best; NY1907: **; NY1914: vg-b/**; NY1916: 3; A21: vg to best; BC: vg; B-H: vg-b; Bull1897: 8-9/**; Can: dessert best, cooking best, commercial value - home market first class, skin a little tender for distance shipment; Hooper: 2; Lear: 10; Lowther: B; ME94: best/**; MICH: f/m; Ont: 8/10/10/10; Ragan: vg-b; Unimpeachable; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg to best

Redfield
(Wolf River x Niedzwetzskayana Red Crab)
NY
1938

ng

Redfield

medium to large


round


tart, sharp, with some bitterness

waxy-pink to red

white & red; texture is moderately dry

Second week of May


mid Oct

B9 (30%)
to z3
NY1

2009
Row 1

Merits: Tree: very hardy (ironclad); bronze leaves and red blossoms qualify it as an ornamental; high resistance to disease and pests. Fruit: red juice, excellent for colorful cider blending; makes good tasting, eye catching pies.

Faults: Tree: not highly productive, doesn't keep long. Fruit: poor eating quality; quickly browning flesh

Merit or fault?: moderately dry flesh

Smokehouse
(Vandevere seedling?)
Pa.
1837

cf ng

large


somewhat flattish


mild, sweet, with only slight tartness

dull red, yellow, dotted; tough, but thin skinned


yellow; texture is crisp, fine-grained, & juicy

First week of May


mid Oct



MM111 (80%)
to z3

NY1


2005


Row 5

Merits: Tree: annual; early bearer; holds fruit well; some resistance to fireblight. Fruit: does not bruise easily; prized as a multi-purpose apple; prized a cider base.

Faults: Tree: susceptible to apple scab. Fruit: flavor described as too mild or lacking high character in some taste tests; can go mealy.

Merit or fault?: Tree: naturally spreading, but crooked growth and dense head provide extra pruning challenge; heavy cropper, but thinning required for large sized fruit.

Ratings: AoNY: good; NY1907: _; BC: good; B-H: good; Bull1897: 5-6/** [99: 6-7/*]; Hooper: 2 to 1; Lowther: good; One: 3/6/4/6; Ragan: g; Waugh: fair

Starkey
(Moses Starkey)

(RIbston Pippin seedling)

Me.
before 1820

me

medium


round


subacid, sprightly

red crimson, dotted; tough, but thin skinned


pale cream; texture is tender & juicy

Second to third week of May


mid Oct

 

Antonovka (100%)
to z3

ME


2006


Row 3

Merits: Tree: early bearer. Fruit: highly regarded regionally for fresh eating.

Faults: Tree: biennial.

Ratings: AoNY: very good; NY1907: _ [+ in North]; Bull1897: 8/** [99: X]; B-H: described as pleasant, but not rated; Lowther: G; ME94: vg/*; ME08: very good; Ragan: listed, but quality not rated; Waugh: good.

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Stayman
(Stayman's Winesap)

(Winesap open pollinated)
Kansas
before 1875

aa cf ta

medium to large


classic apple shape


tart, with some sweetness; wine-like

red bloom or stripes over green, dotted; tough, moderately thick skinned


greenish yellow; texture is moderately fine, tender, & juicy

Second to fourth week of May


late Oct



M7 (60%)
to z5 [marginal for the Finger Lakes]

NY1


2004
first fruit: 2010


Row 4

Merits: Tree: heavy cropper; resistance to scab, cedar apple rust and fireblight. Fruit: does not bruise easily; prized for larger size and sweeter flavor, but other good qualities of Winesap; prized for cider.

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate), unreliably annual; requires long season. Fruit: dull color; quickly browning flesh; subject to cracking.

Ratings: AoNY: good to vg; NY1907: _ [Not adapted to New York conditions]; A21: vg; B-H: best; Bull99: 8-9/X; Browning; Can: best; Ragan: vg-b; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg

Striped Harvey

Maine
before 1800

me

medium


classic apple shape


sprightly tart

yellow with red stripes


yellow

Second to third week of May


late Oct

Antonovka (100%)
to z4

St Lawrence


2009


Row 5

Merits: Tree: very hardy (nearly ironclad). Fruit: rich, well blended flavor.

Faults: Tree: requires long season.

Ratings: Ragan: listed under Harvey Stripe, but not described nor rated.

Wagener

NY
before 1790

ta

medium to large


flattish, ribbed


sprightly, well-balanced sweet-tart content

yellow crimson, bloom


pale cream tinged with yellow; texture is very crisp, very tender & juicy.

First to second week of May


early/mid Oct



G16 (30%)
to z4

NY1


2007


Row 6

Merits: Tree: naturally dwarfing, early bearer, heavy cropper (when young); fruits hang on trees for long time; nearly scab proof; once among top ten leading apple varieties grown in New York State.

Faults: Tree: biennial; tip bearer; susceptible to mildew, apple scald; short-lived. Fruit: skin can become greasy.

Ratings: AoNY: vg-b; NY1907: *; NY1914: vg-b/*; BC: vg; B-H: vg-b; Bull1897: 8-9/* [99:7-8]; Can: dessert vg, cooking good, commercial value - home market first class, foreign market second class; Lowther: B; ME94: best/*; MICH: f/m; Ont:8/7/6/7; Ragan: vg-b; Unimpeachable; Waugh: good when well grown; Wilkinson: vg to best

Westfield Seek No Further
(Westfield, Seek No Further, Seek)

Mass.
before 1800

ta

medium


round, but irregular; slightly ribbed


sweet with some sharp, sprightly, nutty; complex flavors

bright red stripes over deep yellow tinged with green, splashed with dull red, dotted, often covered with blue bloom; russeting possible

white tinged with yellow; texture is fine & tender.

May 8 to May 19


late Sep to mid Oct



Antonovka (100%)
to z4

NY2


2004


Row 2

Merits: Tree: heavy cropper. Fruit: fresh; prized for sweet/sharp kick it provides in cider blending

Faults: Fruit: dull coloring; not recommended for cooking; doesn't keep well

Merit or fault: Fruit: has unique aroma; taste is too astringent for some

Ratings: AoNY: vg to best; NY1907: *; NY1916: l/sp; BC: nr; B-H: vg or best; Bull1897: 8-9/* [99: **]; Can: dessert vg, cooking fair, commercial value - first class when well grown; ME94: best/*; UIll: vg to best (one of 17 of "greatest promise for general usefulness"); Ont: 7/7/7/8; Ragan: vg-b; Waugh: vg; Wilkinson: vg to best

Winesap

USA, possibly VA or NJ
before 1800

cf ng

small to medium


classic apple shape


sprightly tart, wine-like, less sweet than Stayman; somewhat astringent

two shades of deep red very dominant over yellow; tough, moderately thin skinned


greenish yellow; texture is crisp, fine, & very juicy.

May 10 [est.]; Lowther: April 29-May 5


late Oct

M111 (80%)
to z5 [marginal for the Finger Lakes]

NC


2009


Row 6

Merits: Tree: early bearer; fruit hangs well; resistance to scab, cedar apple rust and fireblight. Fruit: aromatic; does not bruise easily; prized for its tart, wine-like flavor, especially in cider.

Faults: Tree: triploid (does not pollinate); extra thinning required to prevent overbearing. Fruit: quickly browning flesh; fruit subject to small cracking.

Merit or fault?: Tree: young trees are reliable & heavy cropper; but decline noticeable in reliability & fruit size as trees age; irregular, straggling growth.

Ratings: AoNY: good to vg; NY1907: _ [Both tree qualities and fruit poor in New York]; BC: nr; B-H: vg; Bull1897: 7-8/** [99: *]; Can: very good, commercial value - first class in certain districts, second class as grown in Canada; Hooper: 2 to 1; Lear: 9; Lowther: vg; ME94: vg/*; Ont: 7/0/1/3; Ragan: vg; UIll: very good; Waugh: good/high quality; Wilkinson: vg

CRAB APPLES

Variety
Origin & Date
Image Sources
Size,
Shape &
Flavor

Color & Texture of Skin & Flesh

Bloom
&
Harvest

Rootstook
&
Hardiness

Source
Year
Location

Merits & Faults

Ratings

Chestnut Crab
(Malinda X Siberian Crab)
Minn. 1946

small (but large for a crab)


flattish


sweet sharp, nut-like

yellow orange with red stripes, some russeting, bloom


yellow

May 7 to May 16


early Sep


 

Bud118 (90%)


to z3

NY1


2007


Row 7

Merits: Tree: annual, good pollinator; resistant to cedar rust. Fruit: prized for cider blending & jelly; very juicy.

Faults: Fruit: quickly browning flesh.

Ratings: Browning.

Dolgo
(Siberian crab open pollinated)
Russia
before 1750

mn ng

small


olive shaped tart,


sprightly

bright red


deep yellow stained with red

April 30 to May 16


Au

G16 (30%)


to z3

NY1


2007


Row 3

Merits: Tree: naturally spreading; early pollinator; resistant to scab & many diseases; may be somewhat insect resistant. Fruit: prized for jelly, cider blending.

Faults: Fruit: quickly browning flesh

Merit or Fault?: Tree: naturally small; has white, not light pink, blossoms.

Hewes
(Virginia Crab)

Virginia
before 1770

cf ng

small


round


tart, musky, moderately
astringent

yellow red


yellow tinged with red

May 9 to May 19


late Augto mid Sep

G30 (50%)


to z5

NY1
2009
Row 7

Merits: Tree: very hardy; heavy cropper; good pollenator. Fruit: prized for tartness in cider blending.

Faults: Fruit: can turn dry and mealy quickly; quickly browning flesh

Merit or Fault?: Tree: naturally small.

Rating: Bull1897: 2/D2*; Browning; UIll: good only for cider. Special: Thomas Jefferson's recommended apple for cider

NOTES: "classic apple shape" is round-conical, or as tall as it is wide or slightly taller than it is wide, with some tapering from top to bottom. Blossom dates are based on averages at our orchard, except where noted as estimated.

Sources for apple images:
aa=Adam's Apple blog; bc=Vancouver Fruit Tree Project; bh=Brogdale Horticultural Trust [England's National Fruit Collection]; cf=Century Farm Orchards; ea=Eastman's Antique Apples; me=Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA); mn=Minnesota Harvest; ng=National Germplasm Resources Laboratory's Germplasm Resources Information Network; ny=New York Apple Country; op=The Orange Pippin; ta=Trees of Antiquity; vt=Vermont Apples.

KEY to the sources used for apple ratings:
New York Sources:
AoNY = S. A. Beach, Apples of New York, 1905, Volume I and Volume II; NY1907 = U.P. Hedrick, N.O. Booth, and O.M. Taylor. "Varieties of Apples for New York" in "Report of the Horticultural Department" in 25th Annual Report of the Board of Control of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 1907 [rating is for tthe Central Lakes district, except where note. **=Well Recommended; *=Recommended; +=Worthy of Trial; _=Undesirable for region. Quality ratings were also provided, but they repeated Beach.]; NY1914 = Another update, this one by F. H. Hall in "The Best Apples for New York State," found in the 32d Annual report of the Board of Control of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 1914 [varieties rated reduced to 98 of special value or merit in New York State, quality ratings changed slightly, so are included, and after the slash, recommendations for Central Lakes which had also been altered. NY1916: numerical ranking of leading commercial varieties for Western New York, with recommendation by S. A. Beach to commercial orchardists not to go outside the list except for local and special markets (l/sp).
Other sources:
A21: W. Manhart, Apples for the Twenty First Century, 1995; BC = A Catalog of Fruit Trees Under Test at the Experimental Farm at Agassiz, British Columbia, 1900; B-H = J. L. Budd, assisted by Niels Ebbesen Hansen [who prepared the chapter on apples], American Horticultural Manual, Volume II: Systematic Pomology, 1903; Joseph Lancaster Budd; Browning = included in the chapter "Twenty or So Prize Apples" of Frank Browning's Apples, 1999; Bull91 = "Catalog of Fruits Recommended for Cultivation; Division I: Fruits Mainly Adapted to Northern Localities; Section 1: Apples," U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Pomology. Bulletin, 1891 [Ratings are from 1 (very poor) to 10 (best); rating after / indicates notation for District No. 2 that includes New York's Finger Lakes (NR either not reported or not recommended; * known to succeed; ** highly successful; + promising] -- revisions were made in 1897 and slightly again in 1899, and those changes are noted by [97] & [99:]; Bull01 = when it was revised in 1901 the more traditional good, very good, and best ratings replaced the numerical system]; Can = Linus Woolverton. The Canadian Apple Grower's Guide, 1910. Cole = S. W. Cole, The American Fruit Book, 1849; Eliott = F. R. Eliott, Elliott's Fruit Book, 1858; Lear = flavor rating from 1-10 by O.H. Lear, Missouri orchardist, as recorded in James Fitz, Southern Apple and Peach Culturist, 1872; Lowther = Encyclopedia of practical horticulture, by Granville Lowther and William Worthington, 1914 [noting that good was the lowest rating and best was more generously bestowed than elsewhere] ; Hooper = E. J. Hooper. Hooper's Western Fruit Book: (1857); ME94 = "Catalog of Maine Fruits: Apples," Annual Report of the Maine Experimental Station, 1894; ME08 = W. M. Munson, "Preliminary Notes on the Seedling Apples of Maine," Annual Report of the Maine Experimental Station, 1908 [rating after / indicates notation for southern Maine, except where noted: * recommended; ** highly recommended, _ not recommended; NE1 through NE24 = among top two dozen varieties best-suited to the meridian of New England, ranked according to merit b Samual Walker, president of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, in Hovey's Magazine, vol 25, 1849; MICH= recommended for family (f) or market (m)use by Michigan State Board of Agriculture, 1899; Ont = Catalogue of Fruits--Apples; for Use of Judges at Exhibitions, in Ontario Legislative Assembly, Sessionaly Papers, Volume 24, 1892 [the four ratings are for Quality:Dessert/Quality:Cooking/Home Market Value:/Foreign Market Value]; Potter = included among five favorite apples named by British pomologist J.M.S. Potter (director of Brogdale Experimental Horticulture Station and in charge of the National Fruit Collections from 1936 to 1972); Ragan = Nomenclature of the Apple: a catalogue of the known varieties referred to in American publications from 1804 to 1904, compiled by W. H. Ragan, 1905; UIll = University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, Varieties of Apples (Bulletin #45), 1896; Waugh = Frank Albert Waugh. The American apple orchard: a sketch of the practice of apple in North America at the beginning of the twentieth century, 1908; Wilkinson = A. E. Wilkinson, The Apple: A Practical Treatise, 1915 (* indicates that the variety was included among the list of the 36 best for the farm or commercial orchard for New England or New York); Unimpeachable = Listed as "unimpeachable" for Western New York by P. Barry in The Fruit Garden, 1857.


This page written and maintained by John R. Henderson (jhenderson@ithaca.edu).
Last modified: August 8, 2011
URL: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/ourapples.html