I have another apple to save

Native Hunter

5 year old buck +
Twelve years ago my FIL dug up a root sprout at an old home place that was a part of a family farm. The old people who lived there grew several good apples but he couldn't remember all the varieties. He didn't know the variety of what he was digging up, but saw this nice sprout and got it. He set it out at his house, and until this year we had never seen an apple on it.

A while back he and I both noticed it had set fruit this year. The whole tree probably had less than 20 apples. Then we noticed how large they were. They appeared ripe a few days ago so we sampled and the taste was excellent.

As fate would have it, this tree is in the path of the new road, so when the dozers eventually get here it will be gone. We heard the state was out of money and the road was being delayed some, so hopefully that will be the case and I will get some scion wood this winter.

I suspect this is "Horse" but don't know for sure. The attributes match what I have read about that variety. The tree had no fireblight and the leaves are exceptionally clean - about the same as my Liberty.



 
That is a big apple. :eek:
 
I like the looks of it Native. Great to be able to save it.
 
I like the looks of it Native. Great to be able to save it.

Thanks Merle. If it is "Horse" there are several places that offer the variety. It was once a very popular variety.

But, it could be something else too. Eventually I will run into someone with "Horse" and find out for sure.
 
We have horse just not producing yet.
 
Impressive size, is that like the 20 oz or wolf river size?


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Impressive size, is that like the 20 oz or wolf river size?


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I've never grown either of those, but my guess is that it would be close to them.
 
I've never grown either of those, but my guess is that it would be close to them.

You?! Im shocked you dont have a wolf river!


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You?! Im shocked you dont have a wolf river!


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LOL, yep I've been slacking. But I did get my first Wolf River in the ground last spring. Right after I planted it was when several people started talking about all the fireblight problems with WR. Now I'm having second thoughts. We are in the epicenter of fireblight in my area. I could end up topworking it before it ever bears.
 
I think you could get an apple pie out of ONE of those apples !! How does it taste, Native ??
 
I think you could get an apple pie out of ONE of those apples !! How does it taste, Native ??


I liked it very good. Crisp, and more on the sweet side but still a little tart rush - just about right for my tastebuds. I like it better than Liberty but not as well as Priscilla for fresh eating.

Very white flesh that is crisp but not tough.
 
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