Esopus Spitzenburg

Esopus Spitzenburg
Species	Apple
Trees Found	2
Orchards	Lithgow Springs,McCoin Upper
Preserved	Clarno Arboretum(2025)

Esopus Spitzenburg is a apple variety found in 2 tree(s) across Central Oregon heritage orchards.

Description

Esopus Spitzenburg is a heritage apple variety with a rich history in American orchards.

Characteristics

Attribute	Details
Origin	Esopus, Ulster County, New York, USA; discovered late 18th century (around 1790)
Harvest Season	Late fall (early October)
Flavor Profile	Complex, aromatic, rich sharpness; dense yellow flesh; bright, crisp, juicy with excellent sweet-tart balance
Storage	Excellent - 3+ months; flavor improves in storage

Uses

• Fresh eating (dessert apple)
• Baking
• Cider

History

Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple; he planted 32 trees at Monticello between 1807-1812. Described by 19th-century pomologist A.J. Downing as 'unsurpassed as a dessert fruit.' Parent of the Jonathan apple.

Trees

• Lithgow Springs #106 (poor)
• McCoin Upper #48 (poor)

USDA Pomological Watercolors

• 
  POM00002145 by Steadman, Royal Charles b., Hood River
• 
  POM00002146 by Heiges, Bertha creator artist USDA, Australia
• 
  POM00002151 by Shull, James Marion, Hood River

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