Esopus Spitzenburg
Encyclopedia
Esopus Spitzenburg is an antique apple
. It was discovered early in the 18th century near Esopus, New York
, and is reputed to have been a favorite apple of Thomas Jefferson
, who planted several of the trees at Monticello
.
In 1922, Hedrick described Esopus Spitzenburg (sometimes spelled "Spitzenberg") as "one of the leading American apples....about the best to eat out of hand, and very good for all culinary purposes as well." In particular, it is a good apple for baking pies. They are fairly large, oblong, and have red skin and crisp flesh. Like many late-season apples, they improve with a few weeks of cool storage, which brings them to their full, rich flavor. Hedrick praised this apple as attractive and keeping well in cold storage, but added that it was imperfect in that the trees lack vigor and are vulnerable to apple scab
. They are also valued as a cider apple.
This cultivar is suitable for hardiness zones 4–7 and should be grown in full sun. However, the trees grow unevenly and sometimes the upper branches shade out the lower ones, which can be frustrating to the orcharder. They also have a tendency to bear heavily one year then lightly the next.
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
. It was discovered early in the 18th century near Esopus, New York
Esopus, New York
Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
, and is reputed to have been a favorite apple of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, who planted several of the trees at Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
.
In 1922, Hedrick described Esopus Spitzenburg (sometimes spelled "Spitzenberg") as "one of the leading American apples....about the best to eat out of hand, and very good for all culinary purposes as well." In particular, it is a good apple for baking pies. They are fairly large, oblong, and have red skin and crisp flesh. Like many late-season apples, they improve with a few weeks of cool storage, which brings them to their full, rich flavor. Hedrick praised this apple as attractive and keeping well in cold storage, but added that it was imperfect in that the trees lack vigor and are vulnerable to apple scab
Apple scab
Apple scab is a disease to Malus trees, such as apple trees, caused by the ascomycete fungus Venturia inaequalis. The disease manifests as dull black or grey-brown lesions on the surface of tree leaves, buds or fruits. Lesions may also appear less frequently on the woody tissues of the tree. Fruits...
. They are also valued as a cider apple.
This cultivar is suitable for hardiness zones 4–7 and should be grown in full sun. However, the trees grow unevenly and sometimes the upper branches shade out the lower ones, which can be frustrating to the orcharder. They also have a tendency to bear heavily one year then lightly the next.