Cat Pippin

Apple

Cat Pippin

Origin/History

Cat Pippin originates from Western Pennsylvania. It is described by Elliott in The Western Fruit Book (1865), and Downing's account in The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) draws directly from Elliott, noting it as his source. Thomas includes a brief entry in The American Fruit Culturist (1903). Downing lists the variety under the spelling "Cut Pippin," which appears to be an orthographic variant of the same name given the identical synonyms and description.

Tree

Vigorous and productive.

Fruit

Size: Elliott and Downing describe the fruit as medium to large. Thomas characterizes it as "rather large."

Form: Not described in source.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Greenish.

Flesh/Flavor: Flesh greenish, juicy, and sub-acid. Downing rates the quality as good.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December to April (Elliott, Downing). Thomas places it in winter generally.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Elliott lists the following as synonyms: West's Spitzenberg, Honemaker Pippin, Haymaker, and Hommacher Apfel.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

USDA Nomenclature (1905)

From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56

Doubtless identical with Cat. See A. 1852

View original book sources (3)

Cat Pippin. West's Spitzenberg, | Honemaker Pippin, Haymaker, " | Hommacher Apfel. Western Pennsylvania. Tree, vigorous, productive. Fruit, medium to large, greenish ; flesh, greenish, juicy, sub-acid. December to April.

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

Cut Pippin. West's Spitzenberg. Haymaker. Honemaker Pippin. Hommacher Apfel. From Western Pennsylvania. Tree vigorous, productive. Fruit medium to large, greenish. Flesh greenish, juicy, subacid. Good. December to April. (Elliott.)

[Additional entry in this volume: "Cut Pippin", pp. 165–165]

Cut Pippin.

West's Spitzenberg. Haymaker. Honemaker Pippin. Hommacher Apfel.

From Western Pennsylvania. Tree vigorous, productive. Fruit medium to large, greenish. Flesh greenish, juicy, subacid. Good. December to April. (Elliott.)

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

Cat Pippin. Rather large, greenish; sub-acid. Winter. Western Pa.

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

Cut Pippin Haymaker Hommacher Apfel Honemaker Pippin West Spitzenberg West's Spitzenberg