A neighbor has a line of 100 year old apple trees that he invited me to take a look at. None of them were intriguing to me except this one. I think it’s a Stayman, but I don’t grow that variety so I can’t be sure. The flesh is crisp and moderately juicy, it has a good sweet/tart balance, leaning a bit more to the tart side. The skin is somewhat thick and chewy. Does this sound/look like Stayman? Thanks.
While they don’t look exactly like the strain that I grow, that conical shape of the one on the right and your description of them tends to argue for Stayman. Other Stayman characteristics to check against: vigorous triploid growth habit, heavy and dense in the hand, perhaps a slight greenish cast to the flesh (unless dead ripe), and tendency to crack around the stem after heavy fall rain.
Thanks, Jerry. Most of the apples on the tree were more flattened, so the one on the right might be an anomaly. Definitely vigorous growth and the fruit feel quite dense. I’ll check for greenish flesh.
Long time favorite, if I could take a bite out of one I could confirm
Adding to Jerry’s comment above, Stayman is a very good keeper. I’ll hopefully still be pulling 'em out of the fridge next May or later.
One of mine this year:
These look just like my King David’s.
Great applesauce!