Esopus Spitzenburg apple

Esopus Spitzenburg apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Esopus Spitzenburg

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.

Visitor reviews

• 19 Aug 2023 

  Would love some advice on the best time to pick Should the apples reach a rosy color before you pick them? I mostly use mine for pies and apple butter. .
• 11 Dec 2022 

  I worked at a fruit stand in Oregon in my teens and the spitzenberg apple was the best I don't know where to get them in oregon
• 10 Apr 2019  SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Australia

  I have had good crops for a couple of years now, ripening in early-mid April here. Left on the tree for long enough they acquire a lovely aromatic burst when first crunched and colour up to a beautiful rich red. I've found the tree a little unruly but have had no problems with any diseases or infestations. In fact the tree is very strong and healthy on MM102 rootstock. Definitely one of the stand outs in my home orchard.
• 26 Oct 2015  NJ, United States

  I have a Spitzenberg tree in my backyard, which produced a huge crop of apples this season. Although the apples are not very atheistically pleasing (which is probably why you do not often see them in stores), they are tart, juicy and quite delicious. They also keep for quite a long time after they have been picked. We have never treated our tree, as we garden organically, and have never had a problem with any disease, mites, scab, etc. (fingers crossed that we shall not in the future.) This tree is such a joy to have as part of our yard.
• 23 Apr 2014  CA, United States

  I have grown the Spitz apple in my back yard for 40 years. I live in Sonoma County California and have never had any problems with it or any other varieties that I grow. It is a small apple but bears well and one of the best for pies. The flavor is to die for as long as the coddling moth does not infest the fruit. I use traps to attract the male moths which somewhat controls this problem. I would not be without this variety in my orchard.
• 11 Mar 2014  INDIANA, United States

  My favorite orchard, Spencer's Orchard in Upland Indiana carries the Esopus Spitzenberg. It is a phenomenal apple in taste, aroma, texture. I would grow it myself but this article is scaring me off.
• 26 Jan 2013  WASHINGTON, United States

  Beautiful, crisp, juicy, and complex flavor. Slightly tart, but not overpowering. Enjoyable to eat.
• 12 Nov 2012  TX, United States

  Just tried a small organic Spitz from Kansas. Bright, clean, refreshing flavor. Nice balance of acid and sweetness. Darned good apple!
• 28 Sep 2012  MA, United States

  i have newtown pippin which is ugly crunchy and have tried to grow esopus spitz. i have something that was supposed to be delbard, but does not look anything like it it looks like belle de boskoop, yl/brn russetted very large. anyones guess?
• 13 Oct 2011  IN, 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  CA/ 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  CA, 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  CA, 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  OR, 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  LINCOLN,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  CAMBRIDGE, 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  United 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  BOSTON, 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  North 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  OAKLAND, 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  OREGON, United States

  We grow these apples. Pears are our cash crop. However, the apples are our jewels!
• 31 Aug 2009  ANAHEIM, 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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• United States103
• United Kingdom1
• Italy 1
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• Canada5
• Australia2

Where to buy trees

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

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
  Spitzenburg apple trees
• Red Rock Orchards Ltd
  Canada  More >>

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Esopus Spitzenburg:

United States

• California

  • Denver Dan's, Camino
  • The Apple Farm -- Bates & Schmitt, Philo

• Colorado

  • Ela Family Farms, Hotchkiss
  • Gott Bro's Orchard & Produce, L.L.C., Ignacio

• Connecticut

  • Seek No Further Orchard, Hebron

• Georgia

  • Freedom Farms - Apple & Peach Orchard, Chatsworth

• Iowa

  • Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City

• Kansas

  • Fieldstone Enterprise, Overbrook

• Kentucky

  • Hidden Hollow Orchard and Wildlife Sanctuary, Louisville
  • Reed Valley Orchard, Paris

• Maine

  • Tiny Orchards, Saco

• Massachusetts

  • Old Frog Pond Farm, Harvard

• Michigan

  • Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
  • Christmas Cove Farm, Northport        *** Feature Orchard ***
  • KlineKrest USDA Certified Organic Produce Farm, Lyons
  • Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill, Saint Johns

• Minnesota

  • Two Fruit's Fruits, Hinckley

• Montana

  • Big Mountain Fruitworks / Big Mountain Ciderworks, Kalispell

• New Hampshire

  • Alyson's Apple Orchard, Walpole

• New Mexico

  • Von Bock Farm, Abiquiu

• New York

  • Albany Apple Guy:Purveyor of Rare & Exotic Apples, Castleton
  • Bellinger's Apple Orchard, Fultonville
  • Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
  • Indian Ladder Farms Inc., Altamont

• North Carolina

  • Big Horse Creek Farm, Lansing
  • Creasman Farms, Hendersonville

• Oregon

  • First Fruits, Independence
  • Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Mount Hood Parkdale
  • Old Stage Farm, Central Point
  • Smith Berry Barn, Hillsboro
  • B&P Hitz Fruit Farm, Woodburn

• Pennsylvania

  • Holy Root Farm, New Tripoli
  • Northrop's Apple Acres, Lake City

• Washington

  • Piper's Orchard, Seattle
  • Skipley Farm, Snohomish        *** Feature Orchard ***

• Wisconsin

  • Cattleana Ranch, Poygan Township/Omro
  • Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
  • Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island

• Prince Edward Island

  • Red Rock Orchards Ltd, Mount Buchanan

Australia

• Victoria

  • Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield

References

• Apples for the 21st Century
  Author: Manhart
  Listed as Spitzenberg
• Some Antique Apples for Modern Orchards, (2008)
  Author: Merwin I.A.