How long will black Oxford apples hang past ripeness?
Cummins Nursery indicates ripeness on about November 10 in that region (zone 6), what is your experience?
How resistant is black Oxford to frost and thaw cycles? To what date does it hold its physical integrity, and in what zone?
While I enjoy growing fruit for human consumption my focus is on providing wildlife (primarily Whitetails) nutrition. Black Oxford appears to be a good possibility for a later dropping fruit (latter half of November and first half of December in about zone five). I am aware of Goldrush for a very late drop, but like to build in variety.
My research indicates Black Oxford thrives in Maine (from which it originates) which has a very similar climate to Northern Michigan. The 15 Black Oxford trees I planted in northern lower Michigan (zone 4b/5a) in the spring of 2024 are growing very well thus far.
Probably not a tree that is adaptable to warmer climates I suppose.
My research agrees, Black Oxford has only moderate vigor (low in some circumstances). That is OK by me, I am a patient man. I value late dropping habit along with its adaptability and resistance to disease reported for the climate I am planting in.
The climates of Maine and Northern Michigan are remarkably similar, characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Both regions are influenced by large bodies of water—the Atlantic Ocean for Maine and the Great Lakes for Northern Michigan—which can moderate temperatures but also contribute to significant snowfall.
No help on black oxford, but do you graft? If so, I have some scions from a really old apple tree here in Northern Ohio that I can send you of an apple that hangs late into winter as long as they arent trying to break dormancy yet. Theyd be great for a deer plot. I havent thought to check recently, but it may even still have fruit hanging on it. I was picking apples out of the snow in December and eating them. Let me know and Id be happy to pop a couple scions of it in the mail.
I have planted some Black Oxford but, if I ranked my choices it wouldn’t make my top 20 for wildlife.
If you graft you probably already know this, but just in case: its a grafted diploid meaning it must be paired with a different variety for purposes of pollination.
If it must be an heirloom, then some with decent disease resistance, later dropping habit, and similar blossom periods:
i have a 3rd leaf black oxford on m111 growing in heavy rocky clay thats very vigorous. ive only mulched with woodchips. i grafted another wild found white/ yellow apple to it called limestone. which is also growing well. ive had to prune it quite a bit the last 2 springs to control it. my redlove odysso is equally vigorous. i think that ones on b111.they both grow like given too much N yet havent gotten anything. should get fruit on both this summer. hopefully the black oxford has time to ripen here in z4b. they both definitely love our cold weather.
I’m growing it but they are super young and pretty slow growing compared to other varieties. If you don’t get any this season let me know and I’ll see what I can do about next.
@Loren I am also in Michigan, just south of Grand Rapids. Couple years ago I grafted B.O., Enterprise, and Gold Rush for my buddy to put on his hunting property. They are on B-118 and all are growing good. It does seem like B.O. likes our climate here in Michigan, but I don’t have any information on hang time yet.
Hey Loren, I am in SE Michigan and Black Oxford are ripe around the second week of October. I’m not sure how they do hanging on the tree long term, but the sure last in my fridge. I currently have some in my crisper drawer that still maintain nice eating quality.
They are very dense so I’d imagine that they are a great selection for your purposes.
boy we get killing frosts by mid oct here. its going to be close if it will have time to fully ripen up here. it will be my only late keeping apple so i hope so.. it seems to grow more vigorous than in warmer areas so maybe also mature faster?
I planted 15 Black Oxford in 2024 that might be just developed enough to give up a few scions. If you don’t get any better offers I will learn how to properly cut them and ship them. I’m not doing any grafting yet myself, but I’d be willing to help you out for no return considerations.