December 18: Esopus Spitzenburg

Reinette Franche x unknown.
Esopus, NY, before 1776

Esopus (pronounced e-soap’-us) Spitzenburg is a well-known variety to connoisseurs. Though it is irrevocably associated with Thomas Jefferson and Monticello, it grows better in northern climates such as its native New York state — and therefore in Minnesota, one would presume.

I planted five of these trees back in 2018 at a time when I was trialing many varieties to see what would actually grow here; and I feel like my Esopus Spitzenburg trees are still finding their footing in my orchard.

My crops have been uneven and it seems like the apples my trees are bearing haven’t settled into consistency yet (this is also something I noticed with my Calville Blancs, though they did eventually settle in). That may sound like an odd observation to make, but apples from young trees can be known to have different qualities than apples from older trees. In an effort to provide evidence for my claim, I found an article written relatively recently that explains why my observation may have merit.

In researching ES, I found that it is a parent of Jonathan, and so two generations removed from an apple I wrote about just two days ago, the Ruby Jon. Apple variety family trees never fail to fascinate.

I think the texture of this apple is extraordinary for an heirloom. And its flavor tastes like the perfect glass of fresh-pressed cider.

Growing Notes

Hard to say! My trees aren’t going gangbusters but they have produced small crops for a few years now. Would I plant it again? Yes — it seems to be hardy and its flavor and texture are exemplary. It might just require a bit more attention than it got from me during those early years of establishment.