Official Ohio State apple. Large flattened fruit. Yellowish green skin flushed and streaked dark red with russet spots. Firm, coarse, juicy creamy white flesh. Slightly acid flavor. Very good cooking and dessert qualities. Best after Christmas when it develops it's fruity aroma.
Melrose apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Melrose
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
- 30 Nov 2015 FranceMy favourite apple, raw or cooked. Not so easy to find in French stores, but it's now cultivated by my local organic apple-grower, so made ample provision for the winter. I had no idea this cultivar was of US origin. Thanks to this site for the great information!
- 27 Sep 2015 OHIO, United StatesJust picked from my favorite Orchard (Branstool Orchard Utica Ohio) on Sept 26th. It's a little early, but it's been a good year and they are sweet/tart with those lovely Pineapple notes that I enjoy so much from Melrose. I like to eat them fresh, but they are also wonderful when cored and baked for dessert with butter and cinnamon or with homemade caramel inside. The early ones are pretty good in pies as well.
- 04 Oct 2013 WISCONSIN, United StatesWhile shopping at our local nursery I came upon the Melrose apple tree. I thought it would be a great way to remember my mother, Rose, who had past away. This apple is a perfect combination of sweet and tart in taste, the flesh has a medium firmness, so eat, bake , or can it. I may try wine making this year! My mom ate a apple everyday, and made the best pies. 5/5 just heavenly!
- 06 Jan 2013 OHIO, United StatesSomewhat tart apple . Needs to be pruned and apples thinned out to produce good apples. Grows very fast.
- 26 Nov 2012 NORTHUMBERLAND, United KingdomThe variety was unknown to us when bought from a market stall in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Looked an appetizing colour and had a pleasant, reasonably sharp taste. Will now probably seek to buy a small tree.
- 21 Oct 2012 OHIO, United StatesFirst time user. Bought at a local orchard. Made pies,used an old style peeler and corer,and slices were thin. We don't care for tart pie apples ,too much sugar needs to be used to make them palatable so we tried these. The apple flavor comes through, great texture. We already bought more and have them sliced and in the freezer. I'll be planting a few them in my small orchard.
- 09 Jun 2012 KENT, United KingdomWe have a smallish orchard of these (30+ on mid rootstock) and whereas they are huge fruiters the initial flavour (UK spelling!) is insipid without good sun, the flavour develops into the autumn though. We juice 80% of our and the trick is to pick then wait before processing.
- 21 Aug 2011 WA, United StatesThis is one of my favorite apples. It has the crispy characteristics of the Jonathon. The flavor tends to lean toward the Red Delicious. If you like a more tart apple, start eating this variety at the end of September. It is good for pie at this time. If you lean toward the sweeter characteristics, wait until late November when it becomes a good eating apple and a good apple for cider. This apple will stay on the tree for a long time. You can harvest it during a three month period for different reasons.
Tree register
United States
- Albany Appleguy in Castleton, NY
- Bruce Stribling in Albuquerque, NEW MEXICO
- Carolina Nurik in Vashon, WA
- Danny Chesser in Phoenix, AZ
- David Black in Bentonville, ARKANSAS
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, CLARK COUNTY WA
- j Nelson in Yelm, WASHINGTON
- J. Blue in Elmira, OR
- Joe & Rachel Bender in Albion, INDIANA / NOBLE
- Kim Lapacek in Poynette, WI
- Larry Landis in CORVALLIS, OREGON
- Marsha Hanchrow in Portland, OR
- Nathan Parker in Mount Shasta, CA
- Neyssa Hays in YAMHILL, OREGON
- Ollie Bucolo in Elmira, OREGON
- Randy Anderson in MONTICELLO, KY
- Scott McElhaney in Camas, WASHINGTON
- Stephan Orchard in Westfield, INDIANA
- Thomas Griffith in Cottage Grove, WI
- Tom Parks in Holladay, UT
United Kingdom
- Adrian in Boxford, SUFFOLK
- Andrew C Ross in Eastleigh, HAMPSHIRE
- John Dench in Etchingham, EAST SUSSEX
- Peter Samsom in Hexham, NORTHUMBERLAND
- Pip Al-Khafaji in Rye, EAST SUSSEX
France
- Chrys Hogarty in DURAS (47120), NOUVELLE AQUITAINE
Portugal
- Bruno Carvalho Guerra in Lisbon,
Canada
- Jeannine Caldbeck in Thetis Island, BRITISH COLUMBIA
- Will Langlands in Powell River, BC
Bulgaria
- Marin Marinov in Kubrat, RAZGRAD
- Marin Marinov in Kubrat, RAZGRAD
Spring blossom records for this variety
2016 season
- 20th March 2016 - tree owned by Bruce in Albuquerque, United States
2015 season
- April 2015 - tree owned by J. in Elmira, United States
2014 season
- 15th April 2014 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
- March 2014 - tree owned by Danny in Phoenix, United States
2013 season
- 10th May 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 6th May 2012 - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
- 10th April 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2010 season
- May 2010 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2009 season
- May 2009 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2015 season
- 3rd week October 2015 - tree owned by Peter in Hexham, United Kingdom
2013 season
- September 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2012 season
- September 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 2nd week October 2011 - tree owned by Carolina in Vashon, United States
2010 season
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Jonathan x Red Delicious
- Originates from: United States
- Introduced: 1944
- Developed by: Freeman S. Howlett, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
- Fruit colour: Red - dark
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Average
- Alleles: 9
- Alleles: 28
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking month: October
- Picking period: mid-October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Vigorous
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
- Chill requirement: High-chill
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Cedar apple rust: Some resistance
- Canker: Some susceptibility
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
- Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
- Fire blight: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Melrose apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Melrose apple trees - Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Melrose apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Melrose:
United States
Colorado
- Gott Bro's Orchard & Produce, L.L.C., Ignacio
- Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins
Connecticut
- Emerald Green Farm & Gardens, Wallingford
- Lyman Orchards, Middlefield
Illinois
- Christ Orchard, Elmwood
- Jonamac Orchards, Malta
- Woodstock Country Orchard, Woodstock
Indiana
- Anderson Orchard, Mooresville
- Apple Works, Trafalgar
- Beasley's Orchard and Gardens, Danville
- Blue River Orchard, Fredericksburg
- County Line Orchard, Hobart
- Deer Creek Orchard, Galveston
- Doud's Countyline Orchard, Wabash
- Pleasant View Orchard, Fairland
- Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron
Iowa
- Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City
Kentucky
- Eckert | Boyd Orchard, Versailles
- Hidden Hollow Orchard and Wildlife Sanctuary, Louisville
- Reed Valley Orchard, Paris
- Sandusky's Orchard, Liberty
Maine
- Eden Acres Family Farm, East Waterboro
- Tiny Orchards, Saco
Michigan
- (A.W.) Overhiser Orchards, South Haven
- Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
- Husted Farm Market and Cider Mill, Kalamazoo
- Kapnick Orchards, Britton
- Orchard on the Lake,
- Red Apple Orchard, Britton
- Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Mattawan
- Springhope Farm, Galien
- Westview Farm, Mattawan
Minnesota
- Apple Tree-O, Delano
- Sunrise River Apple Farm, Wyoming
Nebraska
- Martin's Hillside Orchard, Ceresco
New Hampshire
- Applecrest Farm Orchards, Hampton Falls
- Old Ciderpress Farm, Westmoreland
New York
- Samascott Orchard, Kinderhook
Ohio
- Apple Hill Orchards, Mansfield
- Arrowhead Orchard, Paris
- Bauman Orchards, Rittman
- Beckwith Orchards, Cider Mill and Gift Shop, Kent
- Branstool Orchards, Utica
- Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights
- Eshleman Fruit Farm, Clyde
- Highwater Orchard, Newark
- Hoen's Orchard and Market, Delta
- Hucks Orchard, South Charleston
- Hugus Fruit Farm, Rushville
- Johnston Fruit Farms, Swanton
- Legend Hills Orchard, Utica
- Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala
- M & M Orchard, Ashtabula
- Monroe's Orchard & Farm Market, LLC, Hiram
- Moreland Fruit Farm, Wooster
- Ochs Fruit Farm, Lancaster
- Paiges Produce, Stoutsville
- Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs
- Reaver Farms Orchard, South Charleston
- Richardson Farms, Medina
- Rittman Orchards, Doylestown
- Tüken's Farm Market and Orchard, West Alexandria
- West Orchards, Perry
Oregon
- Beilke Family Farm, Brooks
- First Fruits, Independence
- Haury Farms, Salem
- Marquam Meadows Fruit Company, Molalla
- Mason Hill Orchard, North Plains
- River Bend Farm/Pleasant Hill Orchard, Eugene
- Smith Berry Barn, Hillsboro
- Stephens Farm, Dayton
- B&P Hitz Fruit Farm, Woodburn
Pennsylvania
- Apple Castle, New Wilmington
- Brown's Orchard and Cider Company, McDonald
- Brown's Orchards & Farm Market, Loganville
- Emerald Cider Mill, Slatington
- McConnells' Farm, Aliquippa
- Shenot Farm, Wexford
- Solebury Orchards, New Hope
Texas
- Sonlight Apple Orchard, Mason
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
Wisconsin
- Cattleana Ranch, Poygan Township/Omro
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
- Sutter's Ridge Orchard, Mt Horeb
United Kingdom
England - midlands
Canada
British Columbia
- Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
- Blue Haze Farm, Victoria
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
References
- Apples for the 21st Century
Author: Manhart