I bought this tree a few years ago then moved it two times in my orchard and then I finally got a few apples on the tree this year (6). This one is small to medium size and we will taste test it tonight. The limbs are limber and the fruit looks a lot like the ones online. Ripening according to online publications indicate that it ripens from late August-September. I will probably pick one each week to find out when it ripens at my location.
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You never know what you’ll get until you pick and taste you first ripe apple of a new variety. My perception was that it was very good. It appeared to be at a good stage of ripeness. Sweet with a pleasant amount of tartness. It surprised me that it was a very crunchy with just the right amount of juiciness. I have five more on the small tree to test but the first one was very good to me.
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Sounds and looks great!
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It is nice when a variety taste better than expected.
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Great looking apple!
How was the disease and pest resistance for you?
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The fruit were bagged so they had no insect damage. No disease observed.
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Good to hear, thanks Bill!
I’m sure happy to see your post, even if it’s a year later! I’m in MN but I have a pretty warm microclimate thanks to our urban heat island. We’re moving in a few weeks and I’ll have to start over with new espaliers – I’ve been growing Grime’s Golden, Cox’s Orange, and Black Oxford the past few years. I would love to try growing a limbertwig up here. Smoky Mountain was one of the varieties suggested to me. I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind?
- How did it taste? I’ve heard this one has a cherry/berry flavour profile.
- Was Smoky Mountain a tip bearer, spur bearer, or somewhere in between? (I espalier so this is helpful to know, but hard information to find sometimes!)
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Small sample but it appeared to be more of a tip bearer. I can’t add any more to the taste than posted above. Sweet with a pleasant amount of tartness. It surprised me that it was a very crunchy with just the right amount of juiciness.
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Are you moving within the area? We are neighbors (with 25 miles, anyway). Always glad to hear from nearby fruit growers. Welcome to the forum.
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@northwoodswis4 yep! We’re staying in Saint Paul, just moving across town to a bigger house - we outgrew our bungalow is all. A bit sad to leave my espaliers, though! I hope the new owners treat them well. The Cox’s Orange did amazing this year with the mild winter and dry summer.
@Auburn thanks for the quick reply! I also heard back from the grower this morning with his opinion. I have a feeling I’ll end up planting the Red Royal rather than the Smoky Mountain. I don’t mind a tart apple, but my husband prefers apples on the sweeter side. According to the grower, Red Royal would be sweeter than Smoky Mountain.
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New owners are not known for appreciating fruit trees or other perennials. Just get used to the idea the espaliers are probably goners, and consider it a bonus if you drive by some day in the future and the plants are still there. Sad but true. I’ve seen it happen too many times.
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@northwoodswis4 I’m not too worried about it. I enjoyed them but don’t have the same expectations for others.
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@Auburn how is your Smoky Mountain Ltwig doing these days? I am wondering how its done with fireblight etc? Also, if you’re growing other Ltwig varieties I’m wondering how it ranks in comparison?
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I only have a couple of limbs. It is a pretty good tasting apple. I don’t remember any fire blight.
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Exciting! And I know what you mean . . . ‘love that first taste of a new variety’!
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