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Baldwin apple

Baldwin

Baldwin was one of the most important American commercial apples in the 19th century, being an excellent keeping apple and with a fairly thick skin which made it able to withstand long-distance transportation.

Baldwin is a genuine dual-purpose apple.  The flavor for eating fresh is sweet and unpretentious, but crisp and pleasant.  It is equally at home in the kitchen where it retains its shape when cooked, and lends a moderately rich sweet flavor to apple pies.

Baldwin apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Baldwin
  • Baldwin
  • Baldwin

USDA identification images for Baldwin

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Baldwin
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Baldwin
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Baldwin
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Baldwin
  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Baldwin

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Visitor reviews

  • 04 Dec 2022 
    Hello, I am so interested to buy the badwin apples. I live in washington state. What Can I do for buying them . Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!! Nadine
  • 26 Sep 2017  FL, United States
    What does it mean "winter"? We have this antique apple tree on our property in Brewster, MA...GREAT taste, fantastic in pies....neighbors are making applesauce! It actually is almost a shame to use these beauties in applesauce....perfect for the French Tartartine (forgive spelling...I saw it several different ways!)
  • 01 Nov 2016  CT.06002, United States
    Where can I find Baldwin apples in Connecticut?????
  • 09 Nov 2013  PENNA /CHESTER CO.(SE PA), United States
    Why no photos for such a well known apple? Ian Merwins linked pdf, Antique apples for modern orchards, shows a photo completely different color than description in website. Merwins picture and description match the tree I grew up with that my father planted and identified as Baldwin, a flattened, 3 inch, burgundy red with very prominent lenticels; not the colors described above and similarly elsewhere. Could there be two varieties masquerading as Baldwin? What does Downing say in Apples of New York?
  • 04 Sep 2013  MA, United States
    Baldwins are terrific for pies--one of the two varieties I use from mid-fall on. When I use Baldwins I use only a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon so the apple flavor can stand out. Excellent keeper, too.
  • 28 Oct 2012  MA, United States
    Exceedingly crisp and nice eating apple. Browned quickly. Large and flavorful. Skin was indeed thicker than many apples, but entirely pleasant to eat. Purchased at a road side stand near Walden Pond, MA late October.
  • 12 Oct 2012  OR...BENTON CO., United States
    We bought our farm almost 50 years ago. The older lady we bought from said two of the apple trees were Balwins. There were two Gravenstein, also. These are wonderful winter apples. We can keep some in the fridge 3-4 months.
  • 07 Oct 2011  MA 02446, United States
    my all time favorite apple. wonderful firm textured, tart, delicious when eaten fresh, and absolutely splendid in pies, where they hold their shape and are equally delicious.
  • 10 Oct 2010  MA, United States
    My mother's favorite. Getting harder to find in MA each year. Last year ordered some and got a bushel of something else. Looking for a source!
  • 03 Oct 2010  OH, United States
    When we bought our home here in 1963 I researched apples and decided Baldwin would be good. Didn't realize how big the tree would be; should have pruned it. Squirrels and birds love the top apples. Many fall on the driveway and get half squashed. Even so, more than I can use--pies, canned apple sauce, so sweet no sugar needed. Delicious. Tree still healthy.
  • 14 Sep 2010  NY/SENECA, United States
    I have an old (80-90yr) and a new (12-14yr)orchard and have heirloom varieties. The Baldwins are pretty pest resistant as I do not spray at this time. I have a good crop this year and hope I can find a buyer.
  • 29 Sep 2009  NISKAYUNA, NY, United States
    When I was growing up in the Landing section of Glen Cove, NY we had a pair of these monster apple trees in our double-sized lot. They were 35-40 ft high, and wider than they were tall. The branches were pockmarked with woodpecker holes. In the spring our yard was full of apple blossom petals. They were large apples, firm, and a bit tart, but my mother made great pies out of them. By the mid-1960's they were beginning to decline and were losing branches so we had them removed. They must have been close to 100 years old. A great apple if you can find it.
  • 26 Sep 2009  VALDOSTA, GEORGIA 31602, United States
    When I ived in R. I., my mother preferred Baldwin apples for pies. I emember them asbeingmildly tart and sure wish I could procure them here iin Georgia. If there is a source. Sure would appreciate knowing it I traveled in my military career quite a bit and have always loked for Baldwin Apples.
  • 02 Aug 2009  GALION OHIO, United Kingdom
    Baldwin is a steady producer. When other apple trees have failed to produce due to bad weather Baldwin produces a crop of not excellent but good apple with a pleasant taste.
  • 24 Sep 2008  BOSTON, United States
    This is not a bad apple to munch on; not far from where I am there is a man with this on his property (which in turn was a farm once.) He recently identified what he had with the help of an arborist to see if the apples were good to eat-now he can't keep people away!!Soon, it shall be time to go round there to check it out...I cannot wait...

Tree register

United States

Canada

Australia

Spring blossom records for this variety

2020 season

  • 30th April  2020  - tree owned by Steven in Turney, United States

2016 season

  • 8th April  2016  - tree owned by Kenneth in Topeka, United States

2015 season

  • May  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in Ashfield, United States
  • May  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in Ashfield, United States

2014 season

  • 6th May  2014  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States

2012 season

  • 10th May  2012  - tree owned by Sandy in Albany, United States
  • 10th May  2012  - tree owned by Sandy in Albany, United States
  • 10th April  2012  - tree owned by Ray in Middletown, United States
  • 20th March  2012  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

2011 season

  • 5th April  2011  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

2010 season

  • May  2010  - tree owned by Harry in Lodi, United States
  • April  2010  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

2009 season

  • May  2009  - tree owned by Harry in Lodi, United States
  • April  2009  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

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


Harvest records for this variety

2015 season

  • 3rd week October  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in Ashfield, United States
  • 3rd week October  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in Ashfield, United States
  • 3rd week October  2015  - tree owned by Andrew in Ashfield, United States
  • 4th week September  2015  - tree owned by Mark in Glastonbury, United States
  • September  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States

2014 season

  • 2nd week September  2014  - tree owned by Jeff in Reading, United States

2012 season

  • 3rd week November  2012  - tree owned by Sandy in Albany, United States
  • 3rd week November  2012  - tree owned by Sandy in Albany, United States

2011 season

  • October  2011  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

2010 season

  • 1st week October  2010  - tree owned by Harry in Lodi, United States
  • October  2010  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

2009 season

  • 1st week October  2009  - tree owned by Harry in Lodi, United States
  • October  2009  - tree owned by Michelle in Glenwood, United States

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
  • Parentage: Unknown
  • Originates from: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Introduced: 1750s
  • Developed by: Mrs Butters
  • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1921-086

Identification

  • Country of origin: United States
  • Period of origin: 1750 - 1799
  • Fruit colour: Orange flush
  • Flower colour: Pink - light
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Popularity: Best sellers
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous

Using

  • Picking season: Late
  • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
  • Flavour quality: Very good
  • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
  • Cooking result: Keeps shape
  • Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
  • Cropping: Good
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
  • Food uses: Eating fresh
  • Food uses: Culinary
  • Food uses: Juice
  • Picking period: mid-October
  • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Experienced
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Pollinating others: Poor
  • Ploidy: Triploid
  • Vigour: Vigorous
  • Precocity: Slow to start bearing
  • Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
  • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Climate

  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 6 (-23C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 7 (-18C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 8 (-12C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 9 (-7C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 10 (-1C)
  • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)

Other qualities

  • Disease resistance: Average
  • Cedar apple rust: Very resistant
  • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
  • Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
  • Bitter pit: Some susceptibility
  • Fire blight: Some susceptibility

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Baldwin apple trees for sale:


Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Baldwin:

United States


Canada


Australia




References

  • Cedar-Apple Rust  
    Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
    Rated as very resistant - no control needed against CAR.
  • Apples of England (1948)
    Author: Taylor
  • Some Antique Apples for Modern Orchards, (2008)
    Author: Merwin I.A.

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