Landon

Landon Apple

Origin/History

Origin uncertain. Found on the farm of Buel Landon and introduced to notice by him. Downing (1900) gives the location as Grand Isle, Vermont; Beach (1905) gives it as South Hero, Vermont. Elliott (1865), writing the earliest account, describes it simply as "from Vermont" and notes it as "a new variety that promises high value." Beach places its introduction at approximately forty years before 1905 (circa 1865), consistent with Elliott's account. Beach also notes that it appears to be but little known outside of that locality.

Tree

Tree moderately vigorous or rather slow-growing (Beach), though Downing describes it as vigorous. Branches slender. Form spreading, dense, dwarfish, with a rather flat top and low spreading branches (Beach, Downing). Twigs short to medium, nearly straight but somewhat geniculate, moderately slender; internodes short to medium. Bark clear light brown mingled with red, irregularly marked and mottled with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent. Lenticels conspicuous, small to rather large, roundish or elongated, raised. Buds medium or below, plump, roundish, obtuse, free or nearly so, pubescent.

Bearing habit: Downing states the tree bears moderately every year; Beach, citing Macomber (1890), characterizes it as a rather shy bearer.

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit medium to large, averaging above medium (Beach), described as medium by Downing and Elliott. Pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish oblate to roundish conic (Beach), described by Downing as roundish inclining to conic, and by Elliott simply as roundish. Sometimes obscurely ribbed (Beach).

Stem

Stem short (Downing, Beach). Elliott describes the stem as medium.

Cavity

Cavity large (Downing, Beach), acute, moderately deep to deep, slightly furrowed (Beach). Downing describes it as surrounded by russet; Beach notes it is sometimes slightly russeted; Elliott describes it as regular, with a tinge of greenish russet.

Calyx

Calyx small to medium (Beach). Downing describes it as open; Beach as partly open or sometimes closed; Elliott as having broad segments nearly closed.

Basin

Basin shallow to moderately shallow (Beach, Downing, Elliott), rather obtuse, somewhat furrowed, wrinkled (Beach). Downing describes it as corrugated; Elliott as furrowed.

Skin

Skin thin, tough, nearly smooth (Beach). Ground color yellow (Downing, Beach, Elliott), mostly washed and mottled with red and distinctly striped with carmine, often becoming deep crimson or purplish on the side exposed to the sun (Beach). Downing describes the color as yellow mottled and shaded with red or deep crimson; Elliott describes it as mottled with two shades of red. Dots conspicuous, whitish, large and irregular, especially about the cavity, or areolar with russet point (Beach). Downing describes numerous grayish dots; Elliott describes minute dots with grayish suffused skin surrounding.

Calyx Tube and Stamens

Calyx tube elongated funnel-shape, constricted just below the limb and often extending to the core. Stamens median. (Beach only.)

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh yellowish (Downing, Beach, Elliott), sometimes tinged with red next the skin (Beach). Firm, crisp, moderately tender, juicy, aromatic (Downing, Beach, Elliott). Mild subacid, becoming nearly sweet late in season (Beach). Downing describes the flavor as rich, mild subacid; Elliott characterizes it as "very good" or "best." Beach rates it good to very good, noting that on account of its mild flavor it is better suited for dessert than for culinary use. Beach also notes the flesh is a little coarse.

Core and Seeds

Core medium or above, abaxile; cells open or partly open; core lines clasping. Carpels broad at the base approaching truncate, rounding toward apex, slightly emarginate. Seeds medium or above, rather wide, flat, obtuse (Beach). Elliott describes the core as medium and the seeds as abundant.

Season

Season varies by source: Elliott gives January to March; Downing gives February to May; Beach gives December to May. All agree the fruit is a good keeper extending well into late winter and spring.

Uses

Fruit attractive in color, of good marketable size, and a good keeper (Beach). Better suited for dessert than culinary use on account of its mild flavor (Beach).