Also an FYI on this variety for others as when I googled it turns out was named by Claude Jolicoeur who is the author of The New Cider Maker's Handbook. Since I have a copy of the book, I looked Bilodeau up and noted that while SLN has this listed as Season: Late that Claude notes in his own orchard (zone 4) that it has a harvest date of early to mid Sept. Not sure how long it might hang on a tree but still sounds like a great cider apple and good eater. Noted to be around 1-3/4" dia.
SandburDoes anyone have scion for next spring?
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SandburDoes anyone have scion for next spring?
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Just ran across a nursery that has scions for this variety something like $5 ea
https://www.perfectcircle.farm/scionwood-and-cuttings/wl9l6ahfj81y8dd8lhqkdvka6jnw2y
I have one that's also on antonovka. Getting about 12 to 16 inches of growth per year (about average for my soils). Looks like I'll get a few crabapples from it this year.
Appears a university in Ontario performed DNA testing on Bilodeau (earlier this year) and determined it's actually Trail, which is a parent of Trailman.Bilodeau is described as bright yellow covered with a nice red (not striped), with some years varying amounts of russet. Claude admits to trying to figure out if inital graft given to him was maybe some named variety but never did positively identify it but mentions that mostly looks like the Robin crab (whatever that is) He also was growing a Chestnut and a Hewes crab in his orchard at the time of book publication and not the same although not much fruit from those yet.
For those that know or care about this stuff
Sugar: high, SG 1.065 (1.050 - 1.076)
Acidity: high, TA 7.5g/L (6.2 - 8.9)
Tannin: medium
Juice yield: medium to high
Appears a university in Ontario performed DNA testing on Bilodeau (earlier this year) and determined it's actually Trail, which is a parent of Trailman.
A buddy and I have a tree with fruit from GRIN where the fruit doesn’t match the description or picture. I need to check my label, but I think it was supposed to be Jonsib crab. I don’t actually have a whole tree, but it is on a franken tree.First decent crop of Bilodeau/Trail (tree from SLN) are ripening. Nice juicy crunch similar to Trailman, but a bit sweeter. A very good, fairly large, early crab.
A side note, I also have a Trail originating from GRIN. which appears to be a different apple (completely yellow, very sweet with a softer texture). I prefer the SLN version (photo below).
View attachment 55518
I should have Mn 1734 within a year or two. It has been in the ground awhile, but gophers set it back. I purchased St Edmunds Russet at the same time and this is the first year it fruited.Interesting they finally did the detective work. This thread however is bad for my wallet. After reading I had to dig out my copy of new cider makers handbook by Jolicoeur and do a bit of reading again on bilodeau. Doing that a few of the other cider tree names stuck in my head.
So of course yesterday I get a SLN catalog in the mail and lookie there! They are now also offering douce de charlevoix which is said to pair nicely with bilodeau. Had to restrain myself but still got another 5 trees on order. Been wanting to try some Smokehouse for awhile too so guess scratched that itch at same time. Dunno much about MN 1734 but ask me about them in another 10 yrs!
Ps, hate having to do the extra step of phone shift key for caps all the time so just roll with it...