Apple Variety Descriptions (A-D)

American Beauty (Beauty of America, Sterling Beauty) - Arose in Sterling, Massachusetts around the 1850's, but the exact date of origin is unknown. It is a large, dark-red apple, sweet and aromatic with slightly chewy flesh. The flavor has often been described as vinous. It is regarded as a high-quality fruit and is a very productive, annual apple. Ripens late September to October. Fruit Picture

American Summer Pearmain (American Pearmain, Early Summer Pearmain, Watkin’s Early, Summer Pearmain) - A very old variety dating to 1816 or earlier. Apple is medium sized and somewhat oblong in shape. Skin is yellow striped with red. This is an early blooming variety and matures late July to August.
Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Arkansas Black - Originated from a Winesap seedling in an orchard in Bentonville, Arkansas in 1870. Arkansas Black is a beautiful dark red to almost black apple and considered to be one of the best storage apples. The fruit ripens late November and is rock-hard when harvested, but softens and improves in flavor in storage. Fruit is medium-sized and slightly conical in shape. Yellow flesh is firm, fine-grained, crisp, moderately juicy, and sprightly subacid in flavor. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Arkansas Sweet - In 1905, Henry Grabin of Scott County, Arkansas sent the first samples of Arkansas Sweet to the USDA, thus bringing this fine apple to the public’s attention. It was believed to be a lost variety until 1993 when we discovered it still being grown by John Kenyon of Lacon, Illinois. Fruit is medium-sized with yellow skin overlaid with crimson and darker red stripes. The whitish flesh is crisp, sweet, and crunchy. Ripens early winter and is a fair keeper. Fruit Picture

Ashmead's Kernel - An apple of English origin and one of the best high-quality dessert apples available. It originated about 1700 in the gardens of Thomas Ashmead of Gloucester, England. Though not considered an attractive apple, the tremendous flavor more than compensates for its appearance. The flavor has been variously described as "strong, sweet-sharp intense", "sweet yet a little acid" and "mouth-puckering." The apple’s flavor is indeed strong and intense when first picked, but sweetens and mellows greatly after several weeks in storage. The yellowish-green skin has an occasional light-orange blush, and is almost completely covered with a fine gray-brown russet coating. The yellowish-white flesh is crisp, firm and juicy. Ripens September to October. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Baldwin (Baldwin Rosenapfel, Baldwin's Rother Pippin, Red Baldwin Pippin, Woodpecker, Butters, Steele’s Red Winter) - Once one of the largest selling commercial varieties in the northeast, Baldwin was replaced by McIntosh and other varieties when several million Baldwin trees were killed by a series of bitter winters beginning in 1918. Discovered as a seedling in 1740 by John Ball in Lowell, Massachusetts, it soon became immensely popular in New England. Fruit is medium to large in size with tough yellow skin nearly covered with dark red and crimson. The yellowish-white flesh is firm, crisp, and juicy. Ripens September in warmer regions, November in colder areas. Keeps well into March and April when mountain grown.

Ben Davis (Baltimore Pippin, Baltimore Red, Baltimore Red Streak, Funkhouser, Kentucky Red Streak, New York Pippin, Kentucky Pippin, Carolina Red Streak, Victoria Red, Victoria Pippin) - Famous old southern apple noted for its rapid growth and excellent keeping qualities. Originated in the South in the 1800's and was a very important commercial variety. Medium size with waxy, bright yellow skin mottled with dark and bright red blushing. Fruit Picture

Benham (Claiborne, Benum, Brown, Yearry, Nat Ewing) - Benham originated in Tennessee in the late 1800's and soon became widespread throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina. An excellent apple for freezing or drying as the cut fruit is slow to turn brown. Fruit is medium in size, roundish to slightly conical, with very thin greenish-yellow skin with an occasional red blush. Flesh is yellowish, tender, juicy and fine-grained. Ripens July to August.

Benoni (Fail-Me-Never) - An early season variety originating in Dedham, Massachusetts around 1832. A high-quality dessert apple with smooth yellowish-orange skin mostly covered with bright red and deep carmine striping. The yellow flesh is fine-grained, crisp and juicy. Ripens July to August.

Bentley's Sweet (Bentley, Bentley Sweet) - Although mentioned in nursery catalogs in 1845, the exact origin of Bentley�s Sweet is unknown, but probably arose in Virginia in the early part of the 19th century. It is known as an intensely sweet apple with extremely long-keeping qualities. Skin is greenish-yellow with stripes and splashes of light and dark red. The yellowish-white flesh is fine-grained, crisp, firm, juicy, and very sweet. Ripens late fall to early winter and keeps until April or May. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Bevan's Favorite (Early Bevan, Striped June, Bivins)- A once popular early summer apple, Bevan’s Favorite originated in Salem, New Jersey in 1842. It became a Southern favorite and was widely distributed in North Carolina as late as the 1930's before fading into obscurity. Lee Calhoun of Pittsboro, NC is credited with rediscovering the apple in 1985 when he found a lone tree in Alamance County, NC. Fruit is medium in size, slightly conical with greenish-yellow skin with broad red striping mostly on the sunny side. The white flesh is crisp, moderately juicy with a fine-grained texture. Ripens in July and is not a good keeper. Fruit Picture

Bietigheimer (Beitigheimer, Red Bietigheimer) - A very old, very large and colorful apple of German origin. Bietigheimer was first described in Europe in 1598, where it was known as Roter Stettiner. It was brought into this country in the 1880's. Because of its large size and coarse tough flesh, it is considered a cooking apple. Roundish to slightly conical in shape, with pale yellow skin overlaid with dark and light red striping. Ripens August to September, and not a good keeper.

Bismarck (Bismark, Prince Bismarck) - The origin of Bismarck is uncertain, but thought to have arisen in Canterbury, New Zealand and brought into Germany in the 1800's where it was named for German Chancellor, Prince Bismarck. One unique feature is its dwarfish growing habit, making it an easily managed tree for the home orchard. Large to very large fruit with golden-yellow skin and red striping. The flesh is white, crisp and juicy. Ripens August to September.

Black Amish - An old, general purpose apple thought to have come out of Pennsylvania, but its true origin is unknown. Calhoun says it is very similar to Hoover in appearance and may be identical to it. Fruit is large to very large with varying shades of red depending on the amount of sun exposure. The yellowish flesh is crisp and fine-grained. Ripens September to October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Black Gilliflower (Black Spitz, Crow's Egg, Gilliflower, Sheepnose, Red Gilliflower) - A very old variety dating to the 1700's and originating in the Northeast, probably Connecticut. Listed in southern catalogs as Black Gilliflower or Red Gilliflower, many apple growers believe this apple is the same as the old southern apple, Crow’s Egg. Fruit is medium to large, distinctly conical or tapered in shape, with dark red skin overlaid with faint red striping. The greenish-white flesh is firm, coarse, and moderately juicy, quickly becoming dry when overripe. An aromatic apple ripening in October to November. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Blacktwig (Mammoth Blacktwig, Paragon, Arkansas) - There is much controversy concerning the origin and true name of Blacktwig. Once thought to be a synonym of Winesap, over the years confusion has reigned regarding its relationship to Mammoth Blacktwig and Paragon, all of which are thought to be seedlings of Winesap. Today it is somewhat accepted that Mammoth Blacktwig and Paragon are separate varieties lumped under the catch-all name of Blacktwig, but that depends on with whom you speak. Despite the arguments, Mammoth Blacktwig and Paragon are almost identical in appearance. Both are medium to large with greenish-yellow skin mostly covered with dark red and indistinct dark red striping. The flesh is yellow, firm, and juicy with a mild subacid flavor reminiscent of Winesap. Ripens September to October and is a good keeper. (For a more in-depth discussion of these varieties, see Calhoun’s excellent book, Old Southern Apples.)
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Blenheim Orange (Blenheim, Blenheimsrenett, Blooming Orange, Blenheim Pippin, Gloucester Pippin, Orange Pippin, Prince of Wales, Ward's Pippin, Woodstock, Woodstock Pippin) - A very lovely apple which originated in 1740 at Woodstock near Blenheim in Oxfordshire, England. It first began to receive recognition in 1818 and by the 1820's was widespread throughout Europe and America. Fruit is large and has a somewhat flattened appearance. The skin is dull greenish-yellow and mostly flushed with speckled reddish-orange. Flesh is creamy white, coarse, firm, and moderately juicy. Ripens October to December. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Blue Pearmain - An old apple of uncertain origin, but probably American. It was noted by the Royal Horticultural Society of London in 1893 and widely grown in New York and New England in the 19th century. A large, slightly conical fruit with red and purplish-red striping and covered with a fine blue bloom. The delicate creamy-white flesh is tender, sweet and slightly aromatic. Ripens October to December. Fruit Picture

Bramley's Seedling - An old English variety dating to the 1700's. An excellent baking apple that quickly gained favor in this country for its tangy, sharp flavor and outstanding cider-making qualities. Fruit is very large and greenish-yellow in color with light red striping. Harvested from October through November and considered a fair keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Brogden - A fine apple of the Deep South brought to our notice by our friend and fellow apple collector, Joyce Neighbors of Gadsden, Alabama. The tree originated by a roadside in southern Alabama around 1945 where a road crew took notice of this fine flavored and attractive fruit. This is a good variety for growing in warmer climates as it requires a relatively low number of chilling hours. A large, mostly red fruit ripening August to September. Fruit Picture

Brown's Apple - A vintage English cider apple which arose in south Devon in the early 1900's. It is a very widely planted variety in Europe and is esteemed for its tangy, scented, fruity cider. The medium, dark red fruit has a crisp, clean flavor. The flesh is often stained with red. It has a tendency to be a biennial bearer. Ripens in October. Fruit Picture

Buckingham (Bachelor, Byers, Byers Red, Queen, Henshaw, King, Ox-eye, Fall Queen, Fall Queen of Kentucky, Frankfort Queen, Iola, Ladies Favorite of Tennessee, Large Summer Pearmain, Jackson's Red, Lexington Queen, Byers Red, Equinetelee, Red Horse, Red Gloria Mundi, Winter Cheese, Winter Queen) - Described by Lee Calhoun as the "quintessential Southern apple", Buckingham has been grown in the South for over 200 years. Its history is unclear, but believed to have originated in Louisa Co., Virginia in the late 1700's. Fruit is large and slightly conical with thick, smooth yellow skin mostly covered with dark red striping. The yellow flesh is tender and juicy with a sprightly subacid flavor. Ripens in the early fall in the mountains. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Buff (Granny Buff, Mountain Sprout) - Originated in Haywood Co., North Carolina in the 1850's. A large, irregular-shaped apple with light yellow skin and random red striping. Favored for cooking, drying, and apple butter. White flesh is tender with a subacid flavor. Fruit Picture

Bullet (Bullett, Green Abram, North Carolina Greening) - Bullet originated in the South in the 1800's and was sold by several North Carolina nurseries from the 1850's to the early 1900's. Lee Calhoun says Bullet may be identical to North Carolina Keeper, another fine old Southern heirloom variety. Fruit medium sized with greenish skin, mostly covered with stripes and streaks of dull red and gray. Flesh is white and firm with a brisk flavor. Ripens very late Fall and is an excellent keeper.

Buncombe (Red Winter Pearmain, Bunkum, Red Fall Pippin) - Buncombe is assumed to have come out of Buncombe County, North Carolina sometime in the 1800's. A high quality dessert apple. Fruit is medium to large and very oblong or conical. Smooth yellow skin covered with deep purplish-red. Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy and sweet. Ripens September to October and keeps for a few months. Bloom Picture

Bunker Hill - In 2000, we were contacted by the daughter of Danny and Ginny Lang of Cortland, NY, and told of an old apple tree growing on their property known to them as Bunker Hill. We were extremely excited as we knew Bunker Hill was a very old apple which originated in nearby Dryden, NY sometime in the 1800's but which had disappeared many years ago. We were able to visit the Lang’s and collect a handful of cuttings from a lone and very old hollowed-out tree growing on the slopes of an abandoned ski slope. The ski slope had once been a productive orchard but the trees were all removed when the ski trails were established long ago. The only tree left in place was this single Bunker Hill around which the ski trails were constructed. The tree is described in Beach’s 1905, Apples of New York, as a medium-sized fruit, roundish conical in shape with pale whitish-yellow skin splashed with two shades of red. The flesh is white, sometimes with a red stain next to the skin, tender, juicy and subacid with a vinous or quince-like flavor. A very fine flavored apple ripening mid-autumn to early winter. (Not available for custom-grafting requests in 2007 but available in limited quantities in the fall).

Burgundy - This is not an heirloom variety apple, but is a fine apple for the home orchard that receives little attention. It was raised at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, NY in 1974. A very fine dessert apple with what has described as a "stunning color." Fruit is medium in size with bright pink skin overlaid with dark burgundy. The white flesh is heavily stained with pink when bitten. Flavor is sweet and crisp. Ripens late September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Burning Green (Burner Green) - According to apple collector Lee Calhoun, Burning Green is probably the same apple as Burner Green, a variety first mentioned in 1868 by the Illinois Horticultural Society. This apple was located in Mitchell County, NC by Calhoun. As this variety has not fruited for us yet, further description is unavailable at this time.

Calville Blanc (Calville Blanc d’Hiver, White Winter Calville) - A high quality classic French dessert apple dating to the 16^th century. Its origin is unclear but is possibly of either French or German descent. It is a variety often seen in classic paintings of the Renaissance period and is featured prominently in Monet’s still life, Apples and Grapes. Fruit is medium to large, oblong or conical with uneven ribs extending the length of the fruit. The skin is smooth, pale green or yellow with a light red blush. The yellowish-white flesh is tender, highly aromatic with a flavor sometimes described as "effervescent." Ripens in October.

Calvin - According to history, Calvin was brought from Virginia to Kentucky over a hundred years ago. It was highly popular as a cider and brandy apple, but is also a fine, fresh eating apple. Medium to large with attractive yellow skin. Ripens mid-July to early August.

Canada Red ( Bristol, Canada Redstreak, Nonesuch, Nonsuch, Old Nonsuch, Red Canada, Red Winter, Richfield Nonsuch, Steele's Red Winter, Steel's Red, Winter Nonsuch) - The origin is unclear but probably arose in New England in the early 1800's. It is thought to have been brought into Western New York from near Toronto, Canada, and raised commercially in that region as Canada Red. Fruit is medium to large and mostly uniform in shape. Skin is smooth, tough and clear yellow overspread with a deep red blush and darker red striping. The firm, crisp and juicy fine-grained flesh is whitish with tints of yellow or green. Rich and aromatic, it is a very fine fresh eating apple. Ripens in late Fall. (Not available for 2007)

Cannon Pearmain (Alpian, Red Cannon, Green Cannon) - First mentioned in literature in 1804, Cannon Pearmain is a fine all-purpose apple suitable for fresh eating, drying, cooking, and cider making. Like many long-keeping varieties, it improves greatly after several weeks in storage. It is a heavy cropper and grows best in good soil at higher mountain elevations. Fruit is medium-sized with smooth yellow skin striped and marbled with dark red and crimson. The aromatic yellow flesh is crisp and firm with a pleasant, brisk flavor. Ripens late November and stores well until March. Fruit Picture

Carolina Pippin - This apple is believed to be an old North Carolina variety but its origin is unclear. In 1995, a very old tree thought to be well over one hundred years old was discovered by our good friend and fellow apple collector, Maurice Marshall of Pinnacle, NC. It was growing on the farm of Mrs. Osborne of Ashe Co., North Carolina. According to Mrs. Osborne, the tree was planted in the 1800's by a previous landowner, Millard Brown. The fruit is large and round with yellow skin striped with red. The flesh is firm and juicy. Ripens late November. Bloom Picture

Carolina Red June - (Blush June, Georgia June, Knight's Red June, Red Harvest, Jones June, Jones Early Harvest, Summer Red, Everbearing Red June, Red June, Red Juneating, Carolina Red, Improved Red June, Sheepnose Crab ) - A long-time Southern favorite, Carolina Red June is believed to have originated in the early 1800's in Tennessee. This apple has long been highly valued for its early ripening qualities. Unlike most early season varieties which fail to develop a full balance of flavors in their short ripening period, Carolina Red June has a high quality flavor making it a first choice for fresh eating and pie making. The tree is very productive and has an unusual habit of occasionally blooming twice in the same season, producing a second, smaller crop of apples in the fall. Fruit is small to medium with smooth, dark red skin and is quite oblong or conical in appearance. The tender, fine-grained flesh is white and sometimes stained with red when eating. Ripens June to July and only a fair keeper. Fruit Picture

Carter's Blue (Lady Fitzpatrick, Patton) - Carter’s Blue was first grown in the 1840's by Colonel Carter of Mount Meigs Depot, Alabama. The fruit is very attractive with a bluish color due to its heavy bloom. Once thought to be extinct, this wonderful apple was rediscovered by Lee Calhoun growing in the National Fruit Trust in Kent, England. Medium to large fruit with greenish-yellow skin, mostly covered with dull red and all overlaid with a heavy bluish bloom. Flesh is white, crisp and juicy and very fragrant. Flavor has been described as "rose-water." Ripens September and not a good keeper. Bloom Picture

Cathead (Catshead, Cathead Greening, Round Cathead) - This is a very old English cooking apple first mentioned in literature from 1629. It was once widely sold by Virginia nurseries until the early 1900's, but was certainly grown throughout Virginia for decades before then. Supposedly resembles a cat’s head when viewed in profile, but this feature is variable. A very large round apple with greenish-yellow skin. Good for cooking and drying. Ripens September.

Chandler (Winter Chandler, Chandler’s Red) - An apple which originated in Chelmsford, Massachusetts in the early 1800's. Fruit is medium to large, roundish to slightly flattened, with pale yellow skin colorfully splashed and striped with dull red. Flesh is greenish-white to yellow, tender and juicy. Ripens October to November.

Chenango Strawberry (Sherwood’s Favorite, Early Sugar Loaf, Jackson Apple) - A very beautiful apple originating in New York around 1850. Excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit should be picked when the skin begins to develop a milky appearance. Medium sized fruit is quite elongated in appearance with smooth yellowish-white skin nearly covered with stripes of red and crimson. Tender white flesh is juicy, aromatic and highly flavored.

Cherryville Black - This variety was collected by Lee Calhoun in 1987 from Ernest Sellers of Cherryville, NC. It is an unique variety grown by the Sellers family for many years. Believed to be named for Elszy Black, grandfather of Mr. Sellers. Calhoun describes this as one of his favorite late July apples. Fruit medium sized, with greenish skin, covered with dull red and numerous red stripes. White flesh is crisp and very juicy. Ripens late July to August and not a good keeper. Bloom Picture

Chesapeake - A recent discovery (1958) which originated in a private orchard in Wallingford, Kentucky and was introduced by Bountiful Ridge Nurseries of Princess Anne, Maryland in 1967. It arose as an open pollinated seedling of Red Rome. Fruit is medium-sized with a shape similar to Rome and having highly colored red skin. The white flesh is crisp, juicy and flavorful. Ripens in September.

Chesney - Chesney is an old apple variety originating in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, but little else of its history is known. Obtained from the late Henry Morton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, it is a fine late season apple with excellent keeping qualities. Ripening in early October, it is very hard and firm when first picked, but softens and sweetens in flavor after being stored for a few weeks. The medium-sized fruit has greenish-yellow skin overlaid with red splashes and striping. The greenish-white flesh is firm and crisp with a mild, sweet flavor. A very fine keeper, storing well into March and April. Bloom Picture

Clara's Creek Apple - This is a first-rate cooking and fresh eating apple obtained in 1999 from the late Mrs. Clara Daugherty, a very sweet 95 year-old lady who lived here in Ashe Co. She and her late husband once had a large apple orchard in the 1940's and sold apples throughout North Carolina and Tennessee. The Creek Apple arose as a seedling on the banks of a small creek which runs through her property. Clara contacted us with a request to graft the apple so she could transplant the tree to a more secure location. Too many of the apples would ripen and fall into the creek and be swept downstream. Clara proclaims this to be a much better cooking apple than Wolf River. High praise indeed! Fruit is medium to above medium in size with pale yellow skin which closely resembles Golden Delicious. Flesh is firm, crisp, very juicy and tart in flavor with warm spicy overtones. It cooks up quickly but does not store well. A dependable bearer ripening in late August to early September. Fruit Picture

Claygate Pearmain - A very high quality English dessert apple, found growing in a hedge by John Braddick of Claygate, in the parish of Surrey in England. Fruit has a rich, nutty flavor with a good balance of sugars and acids. Skin is dull green, partially covered with a grayish-orange flush and overlaid with a scaly russet coating. Flesh is greenish-white, firm, crisp and juicy. Ripens in October.
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Coffey Seedling - A fine old apple of somewhat obscure origin. It was first described in 1890 in a nursery catalog from Newton, North Carolina. Fruit is medium to large in size and distinctly lobed. The rough textured skin is greenish-yellow in color mostly covered with light red and bronze and has numerous fine, russeted dots over the surface. The greenish-white flesh is fine-grained and very juicy. Ripens in October and is a good keeper.

Connell Red - Discovered in Dunn County, Wisconsin and introduced in 1957. It is red sport of Fireside which itself is a cross of McIntosh and Longfield. It is a large round apple with a solid red color and a sweet perfumed fragrance reminiscent of its parent McIntosh. An excellent fresh eating and cooking apple and a superb keeper, holding well into April. A very hardy variety ripening in October.

Cortland - Cortland is a cross of Ben Davis and McIntosh which originated at the New York State Agricultural Experimental Station in 1898. A medium-sized apple with smooth yellowish skin mostly covered with dark red and crimson. The fine-grained tender white flesh is very juicy and does not brown rapidly after exposure to air. A reliable and highly productive tree which comes into bearing early. Ripens late September to early October.

Cotton Sweet (Cotton, Cotton Bole, Large White Sweet) - This apple originated in North Carolina with Welsh immigrants who settled near Burgaw and Rockfish Creeks on the banks of the Cape Fear River. It was first described in 1858 when it was introduced to the American Pomological Society as the "Cotton" apple by a Mr. Westbrook, a North Carolina nurseryman. According to Calhoun, an apple found in the North Carolina mountains years ago known as Cotton Sweet or White Sweet is most likely the same variety. Fruit is large, round to oblate in shape with white to pale yellow skin. The yellowish-white flesh is very tender and very sweet. Ripens in August.
Bloom Picture

Cox's Orange Pippin - One of the truly great fresh eating dessert apples. It originated in 1825 in England from seeds of Ribston Pippin. Superlatives abound when describing the flavor - spicy, honeyed, nutty, pear-like. A rich, full flavored apple with a pleasing aroma. Fruit is medium sized with yellowish skin flushed with an attractive reddish-orange blush. Cream colored flesh is fine-grained, firm and juicy. Ripens September to October and keeps until January. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Cranberry (of N. Georgia) - This is a different apple from Cranberry Pippin which arose in New York. The Cranberry of north Georgia was first mentioned in 1855 and was part of the large collection of heirloom apples grown by the late Henry Morton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This medium-sized apple is roundish-conical in shape with light yellow skin having a faint red blush on the shady side and darker red on the sunny side. Ripens late August.

Crimson King (John Toucher’s, Bewley Down Pippin) - Crimson King is a fine English cider apple which also serves as an excellent culinary variety. It originated with John Toucher of Bewley Down, Somerset, England, who first propagated the variety in the late 19^th century. It produces an acidic juice with no astringency and makes a light, fruity cider. Fruit is a bright crimson color and is harvested in November. Fruit Picture

Criterion - Discovered as a chance seedling in the late 60's near Parker, Washington, Criterion is a wonderful all-purpose apple whose parentage includes Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, and Winter Banana. It is a large, blocky fruit having a mild, sweet taste with just a touch of tartness. It has a very pleasant aroma and is recommended for its fine cooking qualities as well as a great drying apple. Ripens in October and stores well for several months. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Crow Egg (Northern variety) - There is much confusion over the identification of Crow Egg. The old southern classic, Crow’s Egg (also know as Raven’s Egg or Black Annie) is distinctly different in appearance and flavor from the northern Crow Egg. Southern Crow’s Egg is a dark red, very conical-shaped apple of high quality and is identical to the variety Black Gilliflower. (See Black Gilliflower) The northern Crow Egg is a medium size apple, somewhat flattened in appearance with yellow skin flushed with red shading. The Worcester County Horticultural Society in Massachusetts has sold this variety for many years. It makes an outstanding fresh eating apple. Ripens September to early October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture

Cullasaga (Winter Horse, Callasaga, Cullasaja) - In 1830, Nancy Bryson of Macon County, North Carolina, planted seeds of Horse apple at her parent's home located near the Cullasaga River and Gorge. The apples produced from this seedling tree received recognition as a high quality fruit by the renowned pomologist Silas McDowell and eventually introduced to the public through his efforts. Once widely grown in the South, it was considered extinct until the distinguished apple collector Lee Calhoun discovered the apple in 1989 growing in Macon County. Fruit is medium to large with tough, yellowish skin mostly covered with dark red and crimson. The skin will have a greasy or oily feel when ripe. Ripens late October to November.

Dabinett - An old English cider apple which arose in Martock, Somerset, England. It is a small, greenish-yellow apple believed to be a seedling of Chisel Jersey. It produces a sweet, astringent juice which makes a soft, full-bodied vintage cider. A very aromatic apple which can be picked in November. Fruit Picture

Deaderick (Ozark Pippin, Ben Ford) - More commonly known as Ozark Pippin, Deaderick originated in 1850 on the farm of Benjamin Ford of Washington County, Tennessee. In 1896, it was first described under the name Deaderick to avoid confusion with an apple already named Ozark. According to Calhoun, the apple was rediscovered in 1992 in Tennessee under the name Ozark Pippin. Close study of this apple showed it to be Deaderick. Fruit is large, slightly conical, sometimes with unequal sides. The tough, smooth yellow skin will have an occasional pink blush and frequent large, reddish spots. The mild, yellowish flesh is fine-grained and juicy. Ripens in the fall and stores well. Fruit Picture

Devine - The origin of this Southern variety is unknown, but cuttings were brought into Alabama from South Carolina in 1895 by the father of Mrs. J.B. Devine. It was in her father’s family for many years before this time. An early bearing variety, ripening mid-late July. Fruit size is medium to large with greenish-yellow skin with red stripes and splashes. Flesh is greenish-white, fine-grained, and somewhat tart in flavor.

Disharoon - An old Southern apple originating in Habersham Co., Georgia around 1855. Once believed to be extinct, but recently re-discovered. A medium to large apple with light green skin covered with gray dots. Yellowish-white flesh is tender and juicy with a very pleasant flavor. Considered to be a high quality dessert apple. Ripens September to October. (Not available for custom-grafting in 2008)

Dixie Red Delight (Red Joy) - Once a popular Southern apple sold extensively throughout the south in the early 1900's, Dixie Red Delight is now a very hard-to-find variety. It originated with an amateur horticulturist in Sylacauga, Alabama who later sold the rights to the H. G. Hastings Nursery in 1960. Rediscovered by our friend and fellow collector, Joyce Neighbors of Alabama, this fine old apple is once again available. It is a handsome red fruit with a sweet, crisp flavor and also a very fine keeper. Fruit Picture

Domine (American Nonpareil, English Rambo, English Beauty) - Originated in Maryland in the 1830's. Medium size and flattened in shape. Yellowish skin with red mottling and slight russeting. Juicy and aromatic. Ripens late and is a good keeper. A very prolific bearer. Fruit Picture

Duchess of Oldenburg (Duchess, Oldenburg, Borovinka) - Known as the "King of the Ironclads" for its extreme winter hardiness, this is one of many fine old apples of Russian origin. It arose around the upper Volga region of Russia and was introduced into England around 1817. In 1835, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society imported this apple into the United States. Very popular as a fine cooking and fresh eating apple, Duchess is a medium to large fruit with smooth yellow skin overlaid with a red wash, sometimes completely red when fully exposed to the sun. The whitish flesh is tender, crisp and juicy with a tangy flavor reminiscent of Winesap. Ripens August to September and is only a fair keeper. Fruit Picture

Dula Beauty (Dula) - Dula Beauty originated from seeds of a Limbertwig planted by J. A. Dula of Lenoir, North Carolina. It is a strong, vigorous tree well adapted to all growing conditions. In 1908, the NC Dept. of Agriculture recommended this variety for Piedmont growers. Fruit is large and slightly conical with dark-red skin overlaid with darker red stripes. Flesh is yellowish-white, tender, crisp and juicy. Ripens late fall to early winter.

Dunkerton Late Sweet - A sweet English cider apple discovered in the 1940's in the orchard of a Mr. Dunkerton of Baltonsborough, Somerset. It produces a juice that is sweet and low in tannin. Makes a cider which is light and fruity. A late season apple ripening October-November. Fruit Picture