Champlain
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Champlain
Origin / History
Origin unknown. An old American fruit, with culture historically confined largely to New England and the Middle Atlantic states. Downing reports it as much cultivated in Rockland and Westchester Counties, N.Y., and a valuable market fruit there; Thomas attributes it to Westchester County, N.Y.; Budd & Hansen likewise give the origin as Westchester Co., New York. Beach gives the origin as unknown, noting that the variety has been on record since 1853, when an account appeared in the New England Farmer. In 1871 it was included in the American Pomological Society's Catalogue under the name Summer Pippin, but since 1897 it has been listed as Champlain. Hedrick (1922) reports that old trees are frequently found in home orchards throughout New York state, but the variety is then seldom planted; he notes it is more often known as Nyack or Summer Pippin than as Champlain, and Beach observes that nurserymen sometimes list it as Nyack and sometimes as Summer Pippin, but seldom or never as Champlain. Fisher (1963) notes it was first noted in 1871, and his sample was received from R. C. Austerson, Kansas City, Mo., in 1955.
Warder relates a separate strand of provenance: the fruit was exhibited before the Ohio Pomological Society by A. L. Benedict, of Morrow County, as the Paper apple, from cions he obtained from the apple region of Grand Isle, Vermont, where it was sometimes called Champlain, and where it had been introduced from Rhode Island, without a name, by his friend Macomber. Benedict reported that the growth of the tree is strong and stocky, that the fruit never scabs nor rots on the tree, and that it was increasing in esteem and preferred to the Red Astrachan, ripening with it. When sent to J. J. Thomas, Thomas thought it synonymous with the Primate, but Jos. Newcomber, having both varieties growing side by side, assured Benedict they were quite unlike and that the Paper was much the better apple of the two.
Tree
Tree medium to large, vigorous, with long and moderately stout branches (Beach); Hedrick concurs (medium to large, vigorous, with long stout branches). Warder describes the tree as medium size, vigorous, stocky. Downing describes it as vigorous, forming a beautiful round head, a regular and good bearer, with young shoots dull reddish grayish brown, slightly downy. Budd & Hansen describe it as vigorous, round-topped, productive, a regular bearer. Elliott calls it vigorous and a profitable market sort. Thomas calls it a regular, handsome grower and good bearer. Hedrick reports the trees as vigorous, hardy, healthy, long-lived, and productive, ripening their fruit over a long period. Fisher describes the tree as medium-large, vigorous, open, slightly spreading, and very hardy.
Form upright spreading to roundish, open (Beach); upright-spreading, open (Hedrick). Twigs long to medium, straight, moderately stout; internodes long. Bark dull brown tinged with olive-green, lightly streaked with scarf-skin, heavily pubescent. Lenticels scattering, medium size, oblong, slightly raised. Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, appressed, pubescent (Beach).
Beach reports the tree is hardy, healthy, and moderately long-lived; it comes into bearing rather young and is a reliable cropper, yielding good crops biennially or almost annually.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large (Beach, Hedrick, Budd & Hansen, Elliott); full medium (Warder); medium (Lowther); rather large (Thomas); medium to large, variable (Downing's "Summer Pippin" description). Beach and Hedrick note the fruit is not very uniform in size or shape; Fisher reports it as uniform in size and shape.
Form: Roundish, rather conical to ovate or somewhat oblong, irregularly ribbed, with sides somewhat unequal (Beach); round-conic to ovate or oblong, irregularly ribbed, sides unequal (Hedrick); globular, rather conical, angular (Warder); roundish conical to oblong oval, angular, irregular (Budd & Hansen); generally roundish oblong, inclining to conic, variable in form (Downing); oblong, oval, irregular (Elliott, Thomas); roundish oblate (Lowther); round, slightly conical to oval (Fisher).
Stem / Stalk: Medium to long, medium to rather thick (Beach, Hedrick); long, slender (Warder); variable, generally long, slender (Budd & Hansen); varying in length and thickness (Downing, Elliott); variable, deep set (Thomas).
Cavity: Acuminate to acute, moderately shallow to deep, rather narrow to medium in width, sometimes furrowed and usually lightly russeted (Beach); acuminate, shallow, narrow, sometimes furrowed and usually russeted (Hedrick); acute, wavy, green (Warder); acute, deep, green, wavy (Budd & Hansen); deep, abrupt (Downing, Elliott); deep, abrupt (Downing's first Summer Pippin).
Calyx / Eye: Small to medium, closed or slightly open (Beach); small, closed or open (Hedrick); small, long, closed (Warder); small, closed (Budd & Hansen); closed (Downing, Elliott, Thomas).
Basin: Shallow to medium in depth, narrow, a little abrupt, nearly smooth (Beach); shallow, narrow, abrupt, smooth (Hedrick); small, abrupt, folded (Warder); abrupt, corrugated, deep (Budd & Hansen); deep, abrupt, corrugated (Downing); deep, furrowed (Elliott); abrupt, furrowed (Thomas). The sources disagree on basin depth — Beach and Hedrick describe it as shallow to medium, while Downing, Elliott, and Budd & Hansen describe it as deep.
Skin / Surface: Tender (Beach, Hedrick), smooth (Warder, Budd & Hansen). Color: greenish-yellow or pale yellow, often with a light crimson blush (Beach); pale yellow, often with a light crimson blush (Hedrick); pale waxen yellow with slight crimson blush (Budd & Hansen); yellowish green, slightly blushed (Warder); pale waxen yellow shaded with a delicate crimson blush (Downing, primary Summer Pippin); waxy yellow, shaded with crimson blush (Elliott); pale yellow with a crimson blush (Thomas); green-yellow or pale yellow, sometimes with crimson blush (Fisher); yellow-red (Lowther). Downing's secondary Iowa Summer Pippin (probably a different variety) is yellowish, shaded, splashed, and striped with crimson in the sun with large light dots.
Dots: Numerous, small, russet or submerged (Beach, Hedrick); minute, indented (Warder); minute, green and grayish (Budd & Hansen); sprinkled with green and grayish dots (Downing); green and grayish dots (Elliott); greenish dots (Thomas).
Flesh: White or with slight tinge of yellow (Beach); yellow (Hedrick); white (Warder, Budd & Hansen, Downing, Elliott, Thomas); white or slightly yellow (Fisher). Texture: rather fine, very tender, juicy (Beach, Hedrick); tender, fine-grained, juicy (Warder, Budd & Hansen); tender, moderately juicy (Downing); tender (Elliott, Thomas); firm, juicy (Fisher).
Flavor: Sprightly, subacid (Beach, Hedrick); sub-acid, aromatic, delicate (Warder); aromatic, pleasant subacid (Budd & Hansen); pleasant, refreshing, subacid (Downing); pleasant, sub-acid (Elliott, Thomas); subacid (Fisher).
Quality: Good to very good (Beach, Hedrick, Fisher); very good to best (Budd & Hansen); best (Warder); good (Lowther). Beach notes it is good for dessert and excellent for culinary use; Warder calls it best, especially for dessert; Downing notes it is valuable for culinary uses and profitable for market.
Core / Seeds: Core medium, round, slightly open, clasping (Warder); core round, slightly open, clasping (Budd & Hansen); core large, axile to somewhat abaxile, cells open, core lines clasp the funnel cylinder (Beach); core large, axile to abaxile, cells open, corelines clasping (Hedrick); core large (Elliott). Carpels smooth, elongated ovate, not emarginate (Beach); carpels smooth, elongated-ovate (Hedrick). Calyx tube conical to funnel-form, usually rather short but sometimes elongated (Beach); calyx-tube conical, usually short but sometimes elongated (Hedrick). Stamens median to marginal (Beach); stamens median (Hedrick). Seeds numerous, angular, dark (Warder); many, angular (Budd & Hansen); rather dark brown, medium size, rather narrow and short, plump, sharp pointed, almost acuminate (Beach); dark brown, narrow, short, plump, sharp-pointed, acuminate (Hedrick).
Season
Late August till October (Beach, Hedrick); late August–early October (Fisher); August, September (Warder, Budd & Hansen, Downing's secondary Summer Pippin); ripens the middle of August and continues a month or more (Downing); August, September (Elliott); end of summer (Thomas). Beach notes that since it ripens in succession from late August till October, more than two pickings are required to secure the crop in good condition, neither too green nor too ripe. Hedrick emphasizes the long ripening period as a virtue for the home orchard.
Uses
Dessert, especially (Warder); good for dessert and excellent for culinary use (Beach); valuable for culinary uses and profitable for market (Downing); valuable for cooking, profitable market sort (Elliott); both kitchen and market (Lowther). Beach notes some find Champlain a profitable commercial variety, but usually it is grown for home use rather than for market. Hedrick commends it for the home orchard for its attractive color, good quality, and long ripening period. Warder notes the fruit never scabs nor rots on the tree, and is preferred to the Red Astrachan with which it ripens.
Subtypes / Variants
Downing distinguishes a second Summer Pippin received from Iowa, with very vigorous, productive tree, medium fruit, oblate inclining to conic, yellowish, shaded, splashed, and striped with crimson in the sun, with large light dots, rather long stalk, closed calyx, white pleasant subacid flesh, ripening August, September. Warder records that A. L. Benedict, who exhibited the variety as Paper, distinguished it from Primate after Jos. Newcomber compared the two side by side and found them quite unlike, with Paper considered the better apple.
Other
Warder records the local name "Paper-Skin" alongside "Paper apple," reflecting the tender, delicate character of the skin.
Book Sources
Described in 9 period pomological works
- Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)
- Budd & Hansen, Systematic Pomology (1914)
- Fisher, A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Summer Pippin
- Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914) — listed as Champlain (Nyack)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865) — listed as Summer Pippin
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Summer Pippin
View original book sources (9)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Champlain. — [Downing.] PAPER — PAPER-SKIN. This very delicate fruit was exhibited before the Ohio Pomological Society by A. L. Benedict, of Morrow County, as the Paper apple. He obtained the cions from the celebrated apple region, Grand Isle, Vermont, where it is sometimes called Champlain, and where it had been introduced from Rhode Island, without a name, by his friend Macomber. My friend Benedict informs me that "the growth of the tree is strong and stocky, and that the fruit never scabs nor rots on the tree. It is increasing in esteem as it becomes better known, and is preferred to the Red Astrachan, ripening with it. When sent to J. J. Thomas, he thought it synonymous with the Primate, but Jos. Newcomber, having both varieties growing side by side, assured me they were quite unlike, and that the Paper was much the better apple of the two." Tree medium size, vigorous, stocky. Fruit full medium, globular, rather conical, angular; Surface smooth, yellowish green, slightly blushed; Dots minute, indented. Basin small, abrupt, folded; Eye small, long, closed. Cavity acute, wavy, green; Stem long, slender. Core medium, round, slightly open, clasping; Seeds numerous, angular, dark; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, delicate; Quality best; Use, the dessert especially; Season, August, September.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Sour Bough. Summer Pippin. Walworth. Calkin's Pippin. Haverstraw Pippin. Tart Bough. Paper Apple. Champlain. Large Golden Pippin. Underdunk. Nyack Pippin. Geneva Pearmain.
Origin unknown. An old fruit, much cultivated in Rockland and Westchester Counties, N. Y. ; a valuable market fruit. Tree vigorous, forming a beautiful round head, a regular and good bearer. Young shoots dull reddish grayish brown, slightly downy.
Summer Pippin. Fruit medium to large, variable in form, generally roundish oblong, inclining to conic, pale waxen yellow, shaded with a delicate crimson blush, and sprinkled with green and grayish dots. Stalk varies in length and thickness, inserted in a deep, abrupt cavity. Calyx closed, set in a deep, abrupt, corrugated basin. Flesh white, tender, moderately juicy, pleasant, refreshing, subacid, valuable for culinary uses, and profitable for market. Ripens the middle of August, and continues a month or more.
There is another Summer Pippin which we have received from Iowa. Tree very vigorous, productive.
The fruit is medium, oblate, inclining to conic, yellowish, shaded, splashed, and striped with crimson in the sun, large light dots. Stalk rather long. Calyx closed. Flesh white, pleasant subacid. August, September.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)CHAMPLAIN.
REFERENCES. 1. N. E. Farmer, 1853 (cited by 14). 2. Downing, 1857:128. 3. Warder, 1867:637. 4. Downing, 1869:368. fig. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1871:10. 6. Leroy, 1873:828. fig. 7. Thomas, 1875:197, 496. 8. Barry, 1883:334. 9. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:245. 10. Ib., 1892:250. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1897:12. 12. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:290. 1901. 13. Budd-Hansen, 1903:61. 14. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul. 56:300. 1905.
SYNONYMS. Calkin's Pippin (4, 14). CHAMPLAIN (1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14). Champlain (4, 6, 7, 8, 14). Geneva Pearmain (4, 6, 14). Haverstraw Pippin (4, 14). Large Golden Pippin (4, 6, 14). Nyack (9, 13). NYACK PIPPIN (9). Nyack Pippin (4, 14). Paper (3, 4, 6, 14). Paper-Skin (3, 14). Sourbough (13). Sour Bough (4, 6, 7, 14). SUMMER PIPPIN (4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14). Summer Pippin (13, 14). Tart Bough (4, 6, 14). Underdunk (4, 6, 14). Vermont (14). Walworth (4, 6, 14).
Nurserymen sometimes list this variety as Nyack, and sometimes as Summer Pippin, but seldom or never as Champlain (9, 10). Fruit of good size, smooth and attractive for a greenish-yellow apple. It is good for dessert and excellent for culinary use. Since it ripens in succession from late August till October, more than two pickings are required to secure the crop in good condition, neither too green nor too ripe. The tree is a good grower, hardy, healthy, and moderately long-lived. It comes into bearing rather young and is a reliable cropper, yielding good crops biennially or almost annually. Some find Champlain a profitable commercial variety, but usually it is grown for home use rather than for market.
Historical. Origin unknown. In 1871 (5) it was included in the list of the American Pomological Society's Catalogue under the name Summer Pippin, but since 1897 it has been listed as Champlain (11). Old trees of it are frequently found in the home orchards throughout the state. It is now seldom planted.
TREE. Tree medium to large, vigorous with long and moderately stout branches. Form upright spreading to roundish, open. Twigs long to medium, straight, moderately stout; internodes long. Bark dull brown tinged with olive-green, lightly streaked with scarf-skin, heavily pubescent. Lenticels scattering, medium size, oblong, slightly raised. Buds medium size, plump, obtuse, appressed, pubescent.
FRUIT. Fruit medium to large, not very uniform in size or shape. Form roundish, rather conical to ovate or somewhat oblong, irregularly ribbed; sides somewhat unequal. Stem medium to long, medium to rather thick. Cavity acuminate to acute, moderately shallow to deep, rather narrow to medium in width, sometimes furrowed and usually lightly russeted. Calyx small to medium, closed or slightly open. Basin shallow to medium in depth, narrow, a little abrupt, nearly smooth. Skin tender, greenish-yellow or pale yellow, often with a light crimson blush. Dots numerous, small, russet or submerged. Calyx tube conical to funnel-form, usually rather short but sometimes elongated. Stamens median to marginal. Core large, axile to somewhat abaxile; cells open; core lines clasp the funnel cylinder. Carpels smooth, elongated ovate, not emarginate. Seeds rather dark brown, medium size, rather narrow and short, plump, sharp pointed, almost acuminate. Flesh white or with slight tinge of yellow, rather fine, very tender, juicy, sprightly, subacid, good to very good. Season late August till October.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Champlain (Nyack). Size: medium. Form: roundish oblate. Color: yellow-red. Quality: good. Use: both kitchen and market. No season or division data reported.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Summer Pippin. Sour Bough. American. Tree, vigorous, profitable market sort ; valuable for cooking. Fruit, medium to large, oblong oval, irregular, waxy yellow ; shaded with crimson blush, green and grayish dots ; stem, varying ; cavity, deep, abrupt ; calyx, closed ; basin, deep, furrowed ; flesh, white, tender, pleasant, sub-acid ; core, large. August. September.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Summer Pippin. (Sour Bough.) Rather large, oblong, oval, irregular; skin pale yellow, with greenish dots and a crimson blush; stalk variable, deep set; basin abrupt, furrowed; flesh white, tender, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor. End of summer. A regular, handsome grower and good bearer. Westchester County, N. Y.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Champlain (Nyack; Sourbough, Summer Pippin).—Origin, Westchester Co., New York: tree vigorous; round-topped, productive, a regular bearer.
Fruit medium to large, roundish conical to oblong oval, angular, irregular; surface smooth, pale waxen yellow with slight crimson blush; dots minute, green and grayish; cavity acute, deep, green, wavy; stem variable, generally long, slender; basin abrupt, corrugated, deep; calyx small, closed. Core round, slightly open, clasping; seed many, angular; flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy, aromatic, pleasant subacid, very good to best. August, September.
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)CHAMPLAIN. Haverstraw Pippin. Large Golden Pippin. Nyack. Sour Bough. Summer Pippin. Tart Bough.
Champlain has many qualities that commend it for the home orchard. The apples are attractive in color, good in quality, and ripen throughout a long period. The trees are vigorous, hardy, healthy, long-lived, and productive. The origin of the variety is unknown but it has been on record since 1853, when an account of it was published in the New England Farmer. Its culture is almost wholly confined to New England and the Middle Atlantic states. It is more often known as Nyack or as Summer Pippin than as Champlain.
Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open, with long stout branches. Fruit medium to large, un-uniform in size or shape, round-conic to ovate or oblong, irregularly ribbed, sides unequal; stem medium to long; cavity acuminate, shallow, narrow, sometimes furrowed and usually russeted; calyx small, closed or open; basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, smooth; skin tender, pale yellow, often with a light crimson blush; dots numerous, small, russet or submerged; calyx-tube conical, usually short but sometimes elongated; stamens median; core large, axile to abaxile; cells open; corelines clasping; carpels smooth, elongated-ovate; seeds dark brown, narrow, short, plump, sharp-pointed, acuminate; flesh yellow, fine, very tender, juicy, sprightly, subacid; good to very good; late August to October.
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Champlain. Origin unknown; first noted 1871. Received from R. C. Austerson, Kansas City, Mo. 1955. Fruit medium-large, uniform in size and shape, round, slightly conical, to oval. Skin green-yellow or pale yellow, sometimes with crimson blush. Flesh white or slightly yellow, firm, juicy, subacid. Good. Late Aug.-early Oct. Tree medium-large, vigorous, open, slightly spreading. Very hardy. Reported by station NvG.