Forest
AppleForest
Origin/History
The accounts of this variety's origin differ somewhat between sources. Downing (1900) records that it was received from J. S. Foster of New Hartford, N.Y., who did not claim it as original but supposed it to be a foreigner; Downing was unable to identify it with any known sort. Beach (1905) gives a different account, stating that Forest is supposed to be a chance seedling originating in Oneida County, N.Y., about a half century before his writing (i.e., circa 1855). Beach notes that it has not been grown in New York to any considerable extent, but appears to have gained a favorable record in Southeastern Wisconsin, citing a Wisconsin Station report from 1896.
Tree
Upright in growth habit, very hardy, and an annual bearer. Beach adds that it is very productive.
Fruit
Size and form: Above medium in size, roundish oblong conical in form, often ribbed (Downing).
Skin: Yellow, mostly overspread, shaded, splashed, and striped with faint reddish crimson (Downing describes the crimson as "faint reddish crimson"; Beach describes it simply as "faint crimson"). Many large light dots are present on the surface (Downing).
Stem: Rather short (Downing).
Cavity: Deep and irregular (Downing).
Calyx: Small, closed (Downing).
Basin: Small, abrupt, furrowed (Downing).
Flesh and flavor: Flesh yellow, crisp, tender, juicy, rich, pleasant, slightly aromatic, subacid, almost sweet (Downing). Beach characterizes it as aromatic and mild subacid, noting that toward the end of the season it becomes sweet or nearly so. Both sources agree on the aromatic, subacid-to-sweet character.
Core: Small (Downing).
Quality: Very good (Downing).
Season
December to March (both sources).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1900–1901) from Illinois
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Forest. Red Codlin.
This variety we received from J. S. Foster, New Hartford, N. Y., who does not claim it as original, but that it is probably a foreigner. We have not been able to identify it with any known sort. Tree of upright growth, very hardy, and an annual bearer.
Fruit above medium, roundish oblong conical, often ribbed, yellow, mostly overspread, shaded, splashed, and striped with faint reddish crimson, and many large light dots. Stalk rather short. Cavity deep, irregular. Calyx small, closed. Basin small, abrupt, furrowed. Flesh yellow, crisp, tender, juicy, rich, pleasant, slightly aromatic, subacid, almost sweet. Core small. Very good. December to March.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)FOREST.
REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1872:180. 2. Goff, Wis. Sta. Rpt., 1896:212.
SYNONYM. Red Codlin (1).
Fruit above medium, yellow mostly overspread with faint crimson; aromatic, mild subacid, toward the last becoming sweet or nearly so. Tree an upright grower, an annual bearer, very hardy and very productive. In season from December to March (1, 2).
Historical. This is supposed to be a chance seedling from Oneida county, N. Y., which originated about a half century ago. We do not find that it has been grown in New York to any considerable extent, but it appears to have gained a favorable record in Southeastern Wisconsin (2).