|
| |||
|
Apples
Blueberries |
The ManyTracks Orchard Tebo Apple
unknown variety, likely early-mid 1900'
Grafted 2014 on branch of Splitter
|
Akero |
Hoholik |
|
Unknown, possibly heirloom variety -- scion from old Tebo homestead orchard adjacent to our property. Original tree likely from early to mid 1900's. Grafted 2014 onto branch of wild seedling tree Splitter east of shop. 2022 - Early May Steve cut down the dying elm directly south of Splitter. Went from about 3 hours of good sun to 6 hours! I'm surprised it could ripen any fruit before. Had four apples this year, larger than previous. This was the year I finally searched my old notes to discover that we had indeed grafted two different scions in 2014, where I had thought we had only had scions from the old Hoholik tree. Since these apples were so different I called Joe (owners of the original Hoholik tree) and it was confirmed - that fruit was never red, maybe a little blush on the sunny side but not often even that. They were green apples, lightening when ripe. And they weren't this large. So I finally changed the name, my notes, and my focus - this apple is from the old Tebo homestead orchard. See 2014 note. In many ways the name doesn't matter, of course, especially since I don't know the variety names of the originals (if they were varieties, or wild seedlings). But I like the stories behind the apples, and where they came from originally. Makes them more interesting than just another apple. And this is an interesting apple.
The apples this year were larger, distinctly lobed, smooth skinned, red splashed/striped over green. Harvested October 6 - moderately firm, juicy, mild flavor. October 24 - tart, very little sweetness or flavor, rather sour, juicy enough. December 4 - good condition, better flavor now, juicy, tender, more Mac like. Two left. January 1 - similar to last month's, still in good shape, OK flavor similar to store Mac. Last apple January 20 - Peel getting a little "old" feeling but flesh very good shape - juicy, solidly tender. And flavor!! Gently sweet, hint of something (mango comes to mind), pleasing aftertaste. Very good eating. Next time I'll store all of them until January. 2021 - No fruit due to May 27 "untimely" freeze.
12/1 Ate larger/redder one. White flesh, seeds brown, juicy, tender-crisp, tart but reasonably good fresh eating, not sweet but flavorful, turns brown after cutting. Left greener one in root cellar. 12/31 Ate last green one - blah. Think it was not mature.
2017 - Good growth, healthy green leaves (much better than "Hoholik" tree inside fence). 2016 - Nice growth. Pruned end & tied down more horizontal. Good growth; healthy leaves. 2014 - For years I thought this graft on a branch of Splitter was from the old Hoholik tree (see that page), and that was the only apple we had grafted that year (2014). When it started fruiting it obviously wasn't a Hoholik apple (see 2020, 2022). I searched back through my notes and found: 2013 - Found good (maybe) wild tree on Tebo's land. Early Nov. Firm, common looking, medium size, good plain old apple flavor. Still good end of December, ate last one.
This property is adjacent to ours, an old homestead with a lot of untended old
apple trees, at that time owned
by friends of ours. I do recall walking over there some time later wondering
exactly which tree that had been that we'd picked those apples from, not having marked it. But in May 2014 I have
this note:
5/25 grafted scion
from old Hoholik Farm old tree by T&J's house (good late fall apples) (scion cut
first of May) on sse rootstock inside fence. ... grew well. Also grafted scion from Hoholik Farm tree on branch
on east side of Splitter tree. Grew one shoot!
|
|||
.