Apple varietal - not sure - Ask Extension
Hello,
We have an apple tree in our small Minneapolis lot and not sure varietal it is. It bears yellow fruit.
This year is the first in several w...
Knowledgebase
Apple varietal - not sure #716848
Asked August 24, 2020, 9:27 AM EDT
Hello,
We have an apple tree in our small Minneapolis lot and not sure varietal it is. It bears yellow fruit.
This year is the first in several where there has been any fruit come from it, and now just wondering what type it is. When i looked on various websites, i was not able to identify it. It may be of Japanese heritage (what somebody told us)...when looking, the closest visual match i coudl make was of a Russian/Polish varietal(Antonovka).
If i sent a picture somehow, could somebody help me identify it? see attached.
The apples themselves seem to all have dents on them, and there are some black spots. I assume they are safe to eat, but if you have any advice, let me know
Regards,
Collin Cook
<personal data hidden>
952.838.5745
Collin Cook
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The apples shown in the photos have been damaged by apple and/or plum curculios and apple maggots. Go here to learn about these pests and how to control them:
Damaged apples are safe to eat but you will want to remove the spoiled portions.
University of Minnesota apple expert Jim Luby has this to say about identifying unknown apple varieties: "We cannot positively identify a cultivar visually though we can sometimes make a guess. The history of the plant is very important and unfortunately, people often don't know it.
Master Gardeners can direct individuals to printed and online resources that can help identify the cultivar - especially if they know it's a University release - and narrow down their fruit ID to 2-3 cultivars based on size, color, fruiting time, etc. Here are some resources to help:
Master Gardeners can direct individuals to printed and online resources that can help identify the cultivar - especially if they know it's a University release - and narrow down their fruit ID to 2-3 cultivars based on size, color, fruiting time, etc. Here are some resources to help:
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/varieties/fruit/apples/all-apple-varieties
If gardeners are persistent and can afford it, Foundation Plant Services (FPS) at UC-Davis will accept samples for DNA fingerprinting for $345 per sample."
If gardeners are persistent and can afford it, Foundation Plant Services (FPS) at UC-Davis will accept samples for DNA fingerprinting for $345 per sample."
Staff at local orchards may be able to identify apple fruits especially if they are common or well known varieties.
