History: Esopus Spitzenberg was discovered near Esopus, New York in the early 1700s. Its main claim to fame is its supposed designation as Thomas Jefferson's favourite apple, a claim supported by the numerous Esopus Spitzenberg trees he had planted at Monticello. This apple was very popular in the US in the 1800s, considered one of the best for fresh eating, valuable for cooking, and a nice addition to cider blends.
Why We Grow It: The flavour of this particular variety is complex with high acid content, considered by many to be a high quality fresh-eating apple. This is helped by the attractive medium sized fruit which sports bright red skin. This variety keeps, with good flavour, until March. Despite being susceptible to just about every common apple disease, we still believe this apple is worth the extra effort.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. Generally quite adaptable to different soil conditions.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Moderately vigorous with a tendency to have heavy crops every other year. Susceptible to scab, canker, and cedar rust and very susceptible to fireblight and mildew.
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different apple variety that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Middle
Ripens: Mid October
Storage: Keeps until March when stored in cool, humid conditions, flavour improves after a few weeks in storage
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking, cider
- Class: Sharp
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Sugar: High
- Acidity: High, >4.5 g/L
- Tannins: Low to medium, <2 g/L
- Recommendations: Can be used to make single-variety ciders
Size including roots:
- 1 year grade 100-200 cm whip
- 2 year grade 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- B grade less than 100 cm
- Potted: 100cm+ with branches in a 5 gallon pot
NOTE: Potted plants are not available for shipping!