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Brennaman

Apple

Brennaman

Origin/History

Brennaman originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, raised by Mr. Brennaman. It was reported on by the ad interim Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and was brought to John A. Warder's notice by Dr. J. K. Eshleman of Downingtown, in whose orchard Warder studied the variety.

Tree

Large, spreading, vigorous, and productive; said to be hardy (Warder). Downing describes the tree as vigorous and upright (rather than spreading), and productive. Young wood is short-jointed, reddish-brown, and somewhat downy (Downing).

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium to large, or rather above medium (Warder, Downing, Elliott); Thomas describes it as medium. Round and somewhat angular (Warder); roundish oblate (Downing).

Surface/Skin: Surface smooth, yellow or yellowish, nearly covered (or mostly covered) with stripes of bright rich red, and splashed (Downing).

Stem: Short, or short to medium (Warder).

Cavity: Large, brown (Warder).

Calyx/Eye: Closed.

Basin: Deep; wavy (Warder).

Flesh/Flavor: Whitish or white, tender (Downing, Elliott), breaking (Warder), fine-grained, juicy. Flavor sub-acid, pleasant and agreeable. Quality good, especially for culinary use and market.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

August and September; late summer.

Uses

Good for cooking; excellent for culinary use and market.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 4 period pomological works

View original book sources (4)

Brennaman.

This fine apple, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was reported on by the ad interim Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and was brought to my notice by Dr. J. K. Eshleman, of Downingtown, in whose beautiful orchard I had an opportunity of studying the variety.

Tree large, spreading, vigorous, productive, said to be hardy.

Fruit medium to large, round, somewhat angular; Surface smooth, yellow, nearly covered with stripes of bright rich red.

Basin deep, wavy; Eye closed.

Cavity large, brown; Stem short to medium.

Flesh whitish, breaking, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good, especially for culinary use and market; Season, August and September.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

Brennaman.

Raised by Mr. Brennaman, Lancaster Co., Pa. Tree vigorous, upright, productive. Young wood short-jointed, reddish-brown, somewhat downy.

Fruit rather above medium size, roundish oblate, yellowish, nearly covered with red stripes, and splashed. Stem short, in a large cavity. Calyx closed in a deep basin. Flesh white, tender, juicy, with a pleasant, subacid flavor. Good. Excellent for cooking. August, September.

A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Brennaman. Origin, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Fruit, above medium, yellowish, mostly covered with stripes of red ; stem, short ; calyx, closed ; basin, deep ; flesh, white, tender, juicy, sub-acid — good for cooking. August.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Brenneman. Medium, striped; flesh white; sub-acid—cooking. Late summer. Pa.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)
Brenneman