The comprehensive resource for apples and orchards

Esopus Spitzenburg apple

One of the great American apple varieties, thought to be Thomas Jefferson's favourite. Noted for its spicy flavour, and for its susceptibility to any and every disease afflicting apples.

Esopus Spitzenburg photo tape

This highly respected American apple variety is named after the settlement of Esopus, Ulster County, New York, where it was found towards the end of the 18th century.  It was rumoured to be Thomas Jefferson's favourite apple.  It was widely planted in the USA in the 19th century and used for both dessert and culinary purposes, but subsequently fell out of fashion although it remains a popular variety for gardeners and trees are available from many US nurseries.  The apples have an excellent flavor, which improves with storage.

Whilst American apple enthusiasts often seek out European (and especially English) heritage varieties, there is unfortunately little interest in American heritage varieties in Europe.  It's apparent from the comments we get from visitors to this website that American and European tastes in apples are quite different, with Europeans apparently prefering slightly more complex flavours.  However, if there was ever an American variety that should appeal to European tastes, it must be Spitzenberg.  The flavour is truly aromatic and matches the complexity of the English aromatic apples.  The flesh is a buttery dense yellow, and there is a rich sharpness which is often characteristic of high quality dessert apples.  Eating a Spitzenberg is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.  In terms of supermarket varieties, the closest match is probably Jazz, which also has similar dense flesh and rich sharp flavours.

It's unfortunate that some of the best flavoured apples are also the least reliable to grow (think Cox's Orange Pippin).  Spitzenberg also falls into this category.  One of our listed suppliers, Cummins Nursery, rates Spitzenberg as "susceptible to about all the common diseases".  It is also relatively difficult to get hold of trees of this variety in Europe, although specialist suppliers may be able to graft to order.  To make matters even worse, like many American varieties Spitzenberg needs good levels of sunshine and ripens quite late in the season - so northern European gardeners will need to find a sheltered south-facing wall for best results.  However the effort is probably worth it, since Spitzenberg is a superb eating apple.

We are grateful to the Defra UK National Fruit Collection for tasting samples of this apple variety.

Last updated 04 Jul 2011.

Also known as

  • Spitzenburg

Summary

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Unknown
  • Origin: Esopus, New York, United States
  • Introduced: Early 1800s
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 119300
  • Some historical details taken with kind permission from 'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards , illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle, published by Ebury Press, 2002.

Identification

  • Fruit colour: Red / Orange flush
  • Flesh colour: Cream
  • Fruit size: Medium
  • Bultitude apple group: 7. Flushed / striped, some russeting, sweet

Using

  • Good for eating fresh
  • Good for cooking
  • Good for juice
  • Flavour quality: Exceptional
  • Flavour style: Aromatic
  • Ripening period: Late season
  • Use / keeping: 3 months or more Should be stored for at least a month before eating.

Growing

  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Flowering period: Mid-Late season
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: No
  • Vigour: Slightly large
  • Biennial tendency
  • Gardening skill: Some skill needed
  • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
  • General disease resistance: Poor

Climate

  • Suitable for warm climates
  • Suitable for temperate climates
  • Tolerates cold winters

Disease resistance

  • Bacterial canker  Pseudomonas syringae  - Very susceptible
  • Scab  - Very susceptible
  • Fireblight  - Very susceptible

Relationships to other varieties

Offspring of this variety:

Esopus Spitzenburg identification photos from official fruit collections


ARS GRIN

©Copyright
ARS GRIN

UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Esopus Spitzenburg identification photos from website visitors


Esopus Spitzenburg tape


Esopus Spitzenburg

Esopus Spitzenberg tape


Esopus Spitzenberg


Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 5 out of 5. Total votes cast: 2
 

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

13 Oct 2011 Jean FritzIN, United States
I grow this apple in my heirloom orchard. It ripens in late October in central Indiana, and I love to use it for cooking and juicing. When it is on the tree, it is one of the ugliest apples I've seen - it colors to a rusty orange - and it is prone to scab and fungal problems. The flavor of the fruit is exceptional, however, and my tree has been a very dependable producer for over 15 years.
20 Sep 2011 Phil BeanCA/ SONOMA, United States
I obtained a bare-root standard Spitzenberg tree from the local Sonoma Antique Apple Nursery and planted it in the back yard in 1994. I performed minor tree surgery to rid it of borers a few times during about the first three years. More recently I have observed a few abnormal growths on or near the trunk (with a surface texture resembling broccoli), but I am not aware the 17-year-old tree has been affected by any of the diseases to which Spitzenberg is reported to be "highly susceptible." The tree now has a spread close to 30 feet and I can count on it to produce several hundreds of pound of apples from September through October. The crop is very "organic" -- riddled with worms -- presumably because I never seem to spray enough or pursue alternative measures to control white fly. Despite pestilence, I have been thoroughly spoiled by the Spitzenberg's exraordinary taste and must warn these apples can kill any interest whatsoever in most common store-bought varieties. The effect may be sudden and irreversible.
19 Sep 2011 Wendy WatsonCA, United States
I discovered this apple by accident. Organically grown, locally, at the Sebastopol Whole foods. I made an apple pie with them that was out of this world. I believe these are my new favorite apple. What a happy discovery!
28 Jan 2011 GraceCA, United States
I was curious about the Spitz after a strong rec from the (Philo) Apple Farm stand at the SF Ferry Plaza Sat market. They didn't have any to sell that day, but I managed to find them at Berkeley Bowl for a spell (right around Thanksgiving - Xmas). I peeled and sliced one and put it on some pastry crust, sprinkled a bit of sugar on it and baked it. The slices retain their shape but become wonderfully tender (not mushy). Outstanding flavor! I am completely smitten. Now they're gone from the Bowl but I'm hoarding a bag in my fridge. I hope people are right about how well it stores. I went to a fruit tree talk by a BA master gardener, and she also heaped praise on this fine apple. Now I can think of no other. . .
28 Oct 2010 JillOR, United States
I grow this in my back yard. It fits all the descriptions above. I was wondering about this 60 year old tree. Can it be cloned? It's true about how it's a poor resister of disease, susceptible to sun burn, but it's large apples are good. All the wildlife flock to my yard to peck them and gleaners were especially keen to take home a lot. Leave them alone for 3 weeks after you pick in Oct before they're ready and they're sweeter that way good for several months.
01 Mar 2010 Dean FailorLINCOLN,OREGON, United States
I obtained a Spitzenberg as the result of a grafting exercise in Master Gardners Class some years ago. It took about five years to mature to producing size in the Maritime climate I live in. (1/2 mile inland from the Pacific on the Central Oregon Coast) Even lacking cold hours this little tree produces great fruit.
11 Nov 2009 Andrew BellCAMBRIDGE, IOWA, United States
Spitz makes the best applesauce in the world. It isn't hard to grow for me, but it doesn't bear heavily. It has taken a long time for them to come on after planting. The trees look spindly, but the fruit keeps well.
09 Nov 2009 JoelUnited States
@ Mary from Boston The article mentions the difficulty in growing this apple: "It's unfortunate that some of the best flavoured apples are also the least reliable to grow (think Cox's Orange Pippin). Spitzenberg also falls into this category. One of our listed suppliers, Cummins Nursery, rates Spitzenberg as "susceptible to about all the common diseases"." I buy this apple from a farmer's market here in Seattle. It's wonderful. I hate the mild, mushy crap that is often sold in supermarkets. Spitzenberg is a great one.
23 Oct 2009 MaryBOSTON, United States
Funny how the above mentioned people think this is the apple that should appeal to European tastes. Why? Because it does not mention that this is a VERY TOUGH VARIETY TO GROW UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXPERT GARDENER. According to a man I know who owns an orchard (not far from where Jefferson once lived I might add) Spitz is a pain in the butt to grow for the inexperienced because it is very sensitive. It MUST have water. It MUST be cared for 24/7. It is susceptible to diseases if not looked after carefully and it WILL die if you do not follow everything to the letter. As for the remark made above about Americans not liking so-called complex flavors, I say bah humbug. Personally I think the cowboys and farmers of old had it right the first time: "if my horse spits out the apple because it ain't got no juice or sweetness, I ain't eatin' it; if he nickers for more or tries to make juice foam on his lips, its time to holler for Ma and tell her we have a winner!"
23 Oct 2009 Bill SnotherlyNorth Carolina, United States
I have purchased both a Spitzenburg and Newtown Pippin from Trees of Antiquity - from California. You might want to list them on the right. http://www.treesofantiquity.com/
06 Oct 2009 WillOAKLAND, CA, United States
I just bought a Spitzenberg apple at the Ferry Building farmer's market in San Francisco. The vendor said he grows about six east coast heirloom-type varieties in Sonoma County (Northern Calif), which tends to be very sunny.
19 Sep 2009 JacquelineOREGON, United States
We grow these apples. Pears are our cash crop. However, the apples are our jewels!
31 Aug 2009 Holly IveyANAHEIM, ORANGE COUNTY/CALIFORNIA, United States
I am an apple fanatic. For years I loved the tangy Pink Ladies until I discovered the Jazz variety sold at only one of the chain grocery stores (for a reasonable price). Now, any other variety is held up to the tart, complex crispness of jazz. The above noted similarities of the Jazz Apple to Spitzenburg's piques my curiosity. I have never seen these at the stores or farmer's market, nor have I ever heard of them until recent mention in the one page article in the past Sunday's Parade. Is there any source for this variety on the West Coast?


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Fruit tree register

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.

The following Esopus Spitzenburg trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.

You can also view these trees on a map.

United States

Netherlands

Canada



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2011 season

  • May  2011  - tree owned by v in LUCKNOW, Canada

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.

Latest harvest records for this variety

2011 season

  • 1st week October  2011  - tree owned by v in LUCKNOW, Canada
  • 2nd week September  2011  - tree owned by Mark in PALO ALTO, United States

Mature heights for Esopus Spitzenburg trees

This table shows the likely mature height for a Esopus Spitzenburg tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 2.8 ft
0.9 m		 3.5 ft
1.1 m		 4.2 ft
1.3 m		 4.9 ft
1.5 m		 5.6 ft
1.7 m
M27 3.2 ft
1.0 m		 4.0 ft
1.2 m		 4.8 ft
1.5 m		 5.6 ft
1.7 m		 6.4 ft
2.0 m
M9 4.8 ft
1.5 m		 6.0 ft
1.8 m		 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 9.6 ft
2.9 m
Bud.9 4.8 ft
1.5 m		 6.0 ft
1.8 m		 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 9.6 ft
2.9 m
Geneva 16 4.8 ft
1.5 m		 6.0 ft
1.8 m		 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 9.6 ft
2.9 m
Geneva 11 5.6 ft
1.7 m		 7.0 ft
2.1 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 9.8 ft
3.0 m		 11.2 ft
3.4 m
M26 6.0 ft
1.8 m		 7.5 ft
2.3 m		 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 10.5 ft
3.2 m		 12.0 ft
3.7 m
Geneva 30 6.4 ft
2.0 m		 8.0 ft
2.5 m		 9.6 ft
2.9 m		 11.2 ft
3.4 m		 12.8 ft
3.9 m
MM102 6.4 ft
2.0 m		 8.0 ft
2.5 m		 9.6 ft
2.9 m		 11.2 ft
3.4 m		 12.8 ft
3.9 m
M7 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m		 12.6 ft
3.9 m		 14.4 ft
4.4 m
M116 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m		 12.6 ft
3.9 m		 14.4 ft
4.4 m
MM106 8.0 ft
2.5 m		 10.0 ft
3.1 m		 12.0 ft
3.7 m		 14.0 ft
4.3 m		 16.0 ft
4.9 m
MM111 9.6 ft
2.9 m		 12.0 ft
3.7 m		 14.4 ft
4.4 m		 16.8 ft
5.2 m		 19.2 ft
5.9 m
Bud.118 10.4 ft
3.2 m		 13.0 ft
4.0 m		 15.6 ft
4.8 m		 18.2 ft
5.6 m		 20.8 ft
6.4 m
M25 12.0 ft
3.7 m		 15.0 ft
4.6 m		 18.0 ft
5.5 m		 21.0 ft
6.4 m		 24.0 ft
7.4 m

From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Esopus Spitzenburg apple trees for sale:

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