In 1978 we planted 3 apples which we were told were Prairie Spys. The other trees the nursery sold us were common (Mac, Winesap, Bartlett Pear) so I assume these are, too. I knew nothing of pruning and such and only these three thrived, to grow into healthy large trees with little care or attention early on, giving us a lot of very good apples over the years. A few years ago I saw a photo and description of a PS and that isn’t what we have. I’ve searched a lot but every time I find a photo that looks similar the description doesn’t fit; or visa versa. Unfortunately, when I discovered ours weren’t PS’s we were just finishing a many year program of cutting the trees back severely to get them down to a size I can manage. Subsequently, no apples right now to get a better photo and description. But I’m curious and wondering if anyone has an idea what they might be. Below is the best photo I have of the ripe fruit. Plus a photo of the mature tree before being cut back.
They ripen in early September here (z3), are sweet, juicy, pleasing texture but not hard or real crisp. Moderately white flesh (not white-white) with red streaks when over ripe. Not a storage apple but do fine for a month or so. Great fresh eating, tasty pink applesauce, good dried, very good fresh cider. Susceptible to scab. Generous producer, very hardy, usually a lot of blemished apples as well as a lot of very good apples (no spray or anything). All red skin when ripe; early drops/diseased apples had some green background. No russet. An overall really nice apple, a favorite, and we can’t wait to have them back producing. It’d just be nice to have a name other than NPS. Thanks for any ID help!
Thanks for the replies! The Fameuse is a similar red apple but the white flesh is very different from mine. But I think Marie has it with Beacon. I had considered that before but the photo on the UMinn site looked quite different. But i searched again and found the photo and description on Walden Heights Nursery to fit quite well. As does the Wikipedia post. I realize an apple that has been around as long as this one will likely be quite variable. But I do like the ones we have. I’m surprised it isn’t more common. But it is going to be hard to call the trees by a different name after so many years!
Just to add to the Beacon info, below is a photo of fruit on the tree this past season. On another thread @Spartan mentioned the uneven ripening of the crop, which is my experience, too, and is a plus as it extends the fresh eating season. This photo shows the ripe red fruit behind the not quite ripe frui. Our trees are just coming back into production (20 apples!) after a major multi-year cut-back and it sure was nice to have some Beacons again. We appreciated and enjoyed every one. Sue
Glad to hear your Beacon are doing well and you are enjoying the fruit. About 30 years ago I sold bare-root Beacon trees (on hardy standard rootstock) to a friend starting an orchard in western WI. Just heard from him a few weeks ago that he cutting down his block of Beacon and Whitney crabs due to lack of demand. The trees are still bearing well but with no buyers he has been using them all for cider making only. He decided to re-plant with newer varieties the public wants this spring
I always enjoyed a fresh Beacon eaten within 3 days of harvest. They did not store well and the flavor did change after 3 days (fruit got soft too). The uneven ripening as your picture shows is a trait not desired in a commercial orchard but really is a bonus for the home orchardist as you point out.
Thanks for your post! I was happy to hear someone is still growing and enjoying Beacon in the far north.
Our Beacons are finally back in production, dropping a good supply of fresh healthy apples every day. We’re really enjoying them. I’ll be making sauce soon and later sweet cider. Meantime eating as many fresh as we can. Reaffirms how much we like this apple. Sue
