Ensee

Origin/History

Ensee originated around 1900, introduced by U. T. Cox of Rockwood, Ohio. At the time of its introduction, the variety created something of a sensation in the horticultural press and in horticultural societies, drawing attention primarily on account of the good keeping qualities of the fruit and the early bearing and productiveness of the trees. After twenty years of probation, however, it was almost wholly discarded except in Ohio; by 1922, only two or three nurserymen in the country offered it, and there was but little demand for the trees. By 1963, Ensee was still being reported as a surviving clone in the United States, noted by the Agricultural Experiment Station, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Tree

The tree characters of Rome Beauty are described as somewhat better than those of Ensee, a fact which accounts in part for the falling off in demand for Ensee. The trees were noted for early bearing and productiveness at the time of introduction.

Fruit

On the grounds of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, the apples of Ensee are similar to those of Rome Beauty, differing chiefly in being a little darker in color.

Size

Not described in source.

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

Described as similar to Rome Beauty but a little darker in color.

Flesh/Flavor

Not described in source.

Core/Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Not described in source.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Ensee was reported as a surviving apple clone in the United States as of 1963 (H. H. Fisher, USDA ARS, A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States), with a record held by the Pennsylvania State University Agricultural Experiment Station at University Park, Pennsylvania.