Spring 2024
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Esopus Spitzenburg

An old American dual purpose apple widely grown in the USA in 19th century renowned apple pies.

Origin: USA, 1790

Pollination: Esopus Spitzenburg is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

Esopus Spitzenburg apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2024

We do not stock this variety, but we can produce custom-graft trees for you. Trees can be grafted on any of the following rootstocks:

FormRootstockPriceQuantity
MaidenM9Dwarfing £39.00
MaidenM26Semi-dwarfing £39.00
MaidenMM106Semi-vigorous £39.00
MaidenMM111Vigorous £39.00
MaidenM25Very vigorous £39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2025. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Esopus Spitzenburg

Arose at Esopus, Ulster County, New York, USA. Known before 1790 and sent to the London Horticultural Society in 1824 by Michael Floy. A dual purpose apple, widely grown in North America both in commercial and home orchards in the 19th century. Said to make fine pies and may have contributed to the creation of the Waldorf Salad. Still appreciated by American fruit enthusiasts but commercially superseded by other varieties. As a dessert apple the flavour is rich and fruity, lively and very crisp, remaining so even into March. When grown in England the fruit often ripens poorly but can be full of flavour in a good year.

Medium-sized fruit. Conical to round-conical shape, slightly ribbed. The skin has yellow background colour, a bright red flush and numerous russet dots. Deep cream, almost yellow flesh, very hard and crisp with lively acidity and a rich, fruity flavour.

A tree of moderate vigour. Produces spurs freely. Heavy cropper.

Characteristics of Esopus Spitzenburg apple trees

UseDessert
ColourRed
FlavourRich
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeEarly/Mid Oct
Season of useNov-Mar
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingHeavy
Pollination date12
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ProgenyJonathan