Roxbury Russet apple
Probably the first apple variety originating in North America, as a seedling from a variety brought from Europe by early settlers.
Roxbury Russet is generally recognised to be the oldest apple variety which originated in North America, and its history can be traced back to the colonial era. It is very probably a seedling of an apple variety brought over by early settlers from Europe.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the development of apples in North America is that very few of the original European varieties adapted to the climate. Hence most of the apple varieties that became popular as the United States spread westward were grown from seedlings (often of European varieties at first) which had proven more suited to the local conditions and thus been propagated further - this is one of the useful consequences of the fact that apples do not grow true from seed. Roxbury Russet also has some resistance to cedar apple rust and fireblight, which are prevalent in some of the eastern states.
Roxbury Russet is in most respects typical of that group of apples known as russets. Although it has some tartness it is like all russets a fundamentally sweet apple. It is also a fairly good keeper, an important attribute before the advent of modern storage methods. Visually the extent of russeting can vary considerably, in some seasons and on some trees it can be extensive, whilst in other situations there may be very little.
Although the parentage of Roxbury Russet is unknown, it is possible that it shares some common ancestor with Ashmead's Kernel - although Roxbury Russet predates Ashmead's Kernel by about a century and the latter was raised in England not the United States. However Ashmead's Kernel has a slightly odd flavor which is in some ways reminscent of Roxbury Russet. As well as the traditional green/yellow russet both Roxbury Russet and Ashmead's Kernel can exhibit some reddening.
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Unknown, probably European variety
- Origin: Massachusetts, United States
- Introduced: Early 17th century
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 158100
Identification
- Fruit colour: Yellow / Gold
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Medium Roxbury Russet is quite large by russet standards
- Bultitude apple group: 8. Russeted, sweet
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for cooking
- Good for juice
- Good for hard cider
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style: Sweeter
- Ripening period: Late season
- Use / keeping: 3 months or more
Growing
- Cropping: Good
- Flowering period: Mid-Late season
- Flowering group: 4
- Fertility: Self-sterile
- Triploid: Yes
- Poor pollinator: Yes
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Gardening skill: Average
- Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
- General disease resistance: Average
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates
- Tolerates cold winters
Disease resistance
- Scab - Very resistant
- Fireblight - Very resistant
- Cedar apple rust - Very resistant
Roxbury Russet identification photos from official fruit collections
Roxbury Russet identification photos from website visitors
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 Roxbury Russet 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
- Craig Sheehan in WINCHESTER, KY
- Crazyed in OXFORD, WI
- Dan Spratlen in CAMANO ISLAND, WASHINGTON
- Dan Wombles in NEW CANTON, IL
- Dennis in GREAT MEADOWS, NJ
- Don Gaylord in CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, Clark County WA
- Jeff Griffith in READING, PA
- Jesse Matty in PORT ST JOE, FL
- John Horrell in PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
- Mark A. Rock in COLUMBIA STATION, OHIO
- Martin in LAKEPORT, CA
- Seth Powers in MCINDOE FALLS, VERMONT
- Thomas Griffith in COTTAGE GROVE, WI
Canada
- v k Howald in LUCKNOW, ONTARIO
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2012 season
- 8th May 2012 - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
- 20th April 2012 - tree owned by Jeff in READING, United States
2011 season
- May 2011 - tree owned by v in LUCKNOW, Canada
- 28th March 2011 - tree owned by Martin in LAKEPORT, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2012 season
2011 season
Mature heights for Roxbury Russet trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a Roxbury Russet 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 |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
| M27 | 3.2 ft 1.0 m |
4.0 ft 1.2 m |
4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
| M9 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Bud.9 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Geneva 11 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
| Geneva 16 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| M26 | 6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.5 ft 2.3 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
11.3 ft 3.5 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
| Geneva 30 | 6.4 ft 2.0 m |
8.0 ft 2.5 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| MM102 | 6.4 ft 2.0 m |
8.0 ft 2.5 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| M7 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
16.2 ft 5.0 m |
| M116 | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
16.2 ft 5.0 m |
| MM106 | 8.0 ft 2.5 m |
10.0 ft 3.1 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
15.0 ft 4.6 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
| MM111 | 9.2 ft 2.8 m |
11.5 ft 3.5 m |
13.8 ft 4.2 m |
17.3 ft 5.3 m |
20.7 ft 6.3 m |
| Bud.118 | 10.4 ft 3.2 m |
13.0 ft 4.0 m |
15.6 ft 4.8 m |
19.5 ft 6.0 m |
23.4 ft 7.2 m |
| M25 | 11.6 ft 3.6 m |
14.5 ft 4.4 m |
17.4 ft 5.3 m |
21.8 ft 6.7 m |
26.1 ft 8.0 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apple trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer Roxbury Russet apple trees for sale:
-
Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA)
United States Supplier's website >>
Where to buy apples
United Statesmap >
-
Californiamap >
- Arroyo Community Garden, Petaluma
- The Apple Farm -- Bates & Schmitt, Philo
-
Coloradomap >
- Third Street Apples, Penrose
-
Kansasmap >
- Fieldstone Enterprise, Overbrook
-
Kentuckymap >
- Hidden Hollow Orchard and Wildlife Sanctuary, Louisville
- Reed Valley Orchard, Paris
-
Mainemap >
- Lamb Abbey Orchards, Union
-
Massachusettsmap >
- Greenwood Farm, Northfield
- Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling
- Russell Orchards, Ipswich
-
Michiganmap >
- Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
- Red Stem Orchard, Midland
-
New Hampshiremap >
- Appleview Orchard, Pittsfield
- McLeod Brothers Orchard, Milford
-
New Yorkmap >
- Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
-
Oregonmap >
- Smith Berry Barn, Hillsboro
-
Pennsylvaniamap >
- Northrop's Apple Acres, Lake City
-
Washingtonmap >
- Hockinson Hill Orchard, Brush Prairie
-
Wisconsinmap >
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
Canadamap >
-
British Columbiamap >
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
-
Ontariomap >
- O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton
Rate this variety for flavor