Erickson
AppleErickson
Origin and History
Erickson is documented in the USDA survey of apple clones, with specimens reported from multiple agricultural experiment stations across the United States in the mid-twentieth century. The variety was received by various institutions from different sources, including J. V. Bailey of St. Paul, Minnesota; the Mandan Station in North Dakota; and Brand Peony Farms.
Tree
Described as very hardy. Bearing habit reported as productive. The variety has been propagated on the rootstock R12740-7A, with reports of reliable performance in this configuration over a two-year observation period.
Fruit
Size: Very large; approximately 3 fruits per pound.
Form: Oblate.
Color and Surface: Red with red stripe. The fruit is notably rough in texture, described as "rougher" than the Duchess type to which it bears some resemblance.
Flavor and Quality: Tart and subacid. Culinary quality rated as fair to good, with one report noting fair culinary quality.
Type Characteristics: Bears resemblance to Duchess type, though with distinctly rougher fruit surface.
Season
Early maturing, with harvest reported in late August in northern growing regions.
Uses
Culinary.
Disease Susceptibility
Reported as blight susceptible.
Other
Erickson has been maintained in USDA germplasm collections under multiple station numbers (A32654, 10165, and 12255), indicating recognition as a variety of interest for northern climate apple breeding and cultivation programs. The variety's hardiness and northern adaptation made it of particular relevance to stations in South Dakota and North Dakota.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Erickson is reported by multiple stations. The Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, South Dakota reports: fruit very large; fair culinary quality; early maturing; very hardy. Received from J. V. Bailey, St. Paul, Minn., as reported by NyC (station no. A32654): Duchess type, but rougher fruit; Rep. productive. Received from Station, Mandan, as reported by the Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota (station nos. 10165 and 12255): fruit 3 per pound, oblate, red with red stripe, tart, subacid, fair to good, late August; blight susceptible. Received from Brand Peony Farms, as reported by the Agricultural Experiment Station, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana (InL*): 2 years rep. on R12740-7A.