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Golden Delicious? #815711

Asked November 01, 2022, 5:13 PM EDT

Can you identify my 27 yr old Tangent Apple tree from these photos? They are very green, but just started turning yellow about a week ago. Probably Golden Delicious?

Linn County Oregon

Expert Response

Unfortunately it isn't possible for us to identify apple varieties. There are too many apple varieties out there, many of which are very similar, so there is no way to identify a variety for sure just based on appearance and ripening time. So, while I can say that your apple does resemble Golden Delicious, and the ripening time is about right for that variety, I can't say for sure that is the variety you have.

The only method to identify an apple variety for certain is to have it DNA tested; the only place in the country that offers that service is UC Davis, and it is quite expensive. https://fps.ucdavis.edu/dnamain.cfm 

Here are some resources that may be helpful to you.

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-identify-apple-tree-variety-my-backyard

and "Picking and Storing Apples and Pears" FS 147, which lists ripening times for apples in the PNW, https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/fs147/html

Signe Danler, Online Home Horticulture Instructor Replied November 02, 2022, 1:10 PM EDT

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