Once a commercial variety in US. Large, attractive fruit. Bright red over yellow. Firm, coarse flesh. Not particularly flavorful. Winter keeper.
USDA identification images for Ben Davis
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Offspring of this variety
- Cortland
- Ozark Gold(distant descendant)
Visitor reviews
- 23 Jun 2014 AR, United StatesThis is an old variety, good disease resistance and the best I have found for apple sauce.
Tree register
United States
- Barbara Burrill in Seattle, WA / KING
- Darren Peters in Rock Spring, GEORGIA
- Jack Fick in Moravia, NY
- James Kline in Millersburg, OHIO
- Joel Howie in Canton, NEW YORK
- Mark A. Rock in Columbia Station, OHIO
- Michael Bell in Morgantown, KY
- Rick Simoniello in Storrs / Mansfield, CT
- Roger Miller in Madison Heights, VA
- Roger Miller in Madison Heights, VA
- Ronald Wolfe in Monticello, ILLINOIS
- Shirley Morelli in Northport, WA
Canada
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
- Dan in Vittoria, ONTARIO
Spring blossom records for this variety
2013 season
- 2nd May 2013 - tree owned by Barbara in Seattle, United States
2012 season
- 26th April 2012 - tree owned by Barbara in Seattle, United States
2011 season
- June 2011 - tree owned by Jack in Moravia, United States
- 4th May 2011 - tree owned by Barbara in Seattle, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1967-061
Identification
- Flesh colour: White
- Fruit size: Average
- Fruit size: Large
- Fruit shape: Round
- Fruit shape: Conical
- Fruit size: Variable
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Drying
Growing
- Flowering group: 4
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Ben Davis:
United States
Illinois
- Lipe Orchards, Carbondale
Maine
- Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards, Cumberland Center
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
References
- Cedar-Apple Rust
Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
Rated as susceptible - control usually needed where CAR is prevalent.