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GOLDEN SPIRE

Apple

GOLDEN SPIRE

Origin/History Origin uncertain; probably from Lancashire, where it was much grown in 1850. Referenced in Fl. and Pom., 1884.

Tree Growth upright; remarkably fertile with regular cropping. Neat habit makes it highly recommendable for small gardens. Leaves rather small, narrow, dark green, nearly flat, held upright, broadly serrate.

Fruit

Size & Form Medium; 2½ by 3¼ inches. Oblong-rounded, irregular.

Skin Even golden-yellow, very occasionally flushed.

Stem & Cavity Stem short, rather slender. Cavity small, russeted.

Calyx & Basin Eye open in a fairly deep, much ribbed basin.

Flesh & Flavor Pale yellow, juicy, soft, slightly flavoured.

Core & Seeds Not described in source.

Season September–December.

Uses Culinary.

Subtypes/Variants Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 6 catalogs (1900–1917) from England

View original book sources (1)

GOLDEN SPIRE. Fl. and Pom., 1884, 185. Culinary, September-December, medium, 2½ by 3¼, oblong-rounded, irregular. Colour, of an even golden-yellow, very occasionally flushed. Flesh, pale yellow, juicy, soft, slightly flavoured. Eye, open in a fairly deep much ribbed basin. Stem, short, rather slender in a small russeted cavity. Growth, upright; remarkably fertile. Leaf, rather small, narrow, dark green, nearly flat, held up, broadly serrate. Origin, uncertain; probably from Lancashire, where it was much grown in 1850. Its regular cropping and neat habit make it a fruit highly recommendable for small gardens.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)
Tom Matthews