This is an old, all-purpose apple from Floyd, Johnson and probably surrounding counties in east Kentucky. It was rediscovered by Tom Brown. Here is what he says about it in his 2008 newsletter:
I was an exhibitor in the Kentucky Apple Festival in Paintsville, KY. There was an interesting apple in that area with a host of name variations. It was called August Start, August Tart, August Starts, Augur Starch, August Star, and August Starch. The true name is probably August Start, which was most frequently mentioned. It is a large apple, yellow with a slight amount of red, almost sweet, ripe early fall, and has many uses.
Anyone growing this apple or have any more information about it? It’s a pity that Mr. Brown doesn’t sell scions and isn’t selling trees right now.
Last I contacted him; he was hoping to start on his backlog of tree requests this fall. But he has a big backlog of requests. I’m in line for a “Coffee Seedling” {of Georgia Rabun county. not Dula Beauty/Coffey Seedling}. Doubt I will see it this year though…lol
Tom Brown has a lot of interesting apples. I hope he is doing well and that he starts selling trees here in 2025. We all owe Tom a great amount of admiration and" thank you" for all the apple varieties he has found. Not that we don’t owe other apple hunters " thank you" as well but Tom has found more " lost" apple varieties than I think anyone else has, or maybe ever will.