Millcreek Vandevere

Apple

Millcreek Vandevere

Origin/History

Originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near Millcreek, on the farm of a man named Gibbons, growing near his smokehouse — hence the common alternate designation Smokehouse. An old variety, long popular in Pennsylvania. It somewhat resembles the old Pennsylvania Vandevere and is supposed to be a seedling of it. Thomas (1903) treats Millcreek Vandevere as a synonym for Smokehouse, cross-referencing that entry rather than describing it separately.

Tree

Moderately vigorous, with a spreading head. A good bearer. Young wood dull dark reddish brown.

Fruit

Size and Form: Rather above medium. Roundish oblate.

Stem: Stalk rather long, curved.

Cavity: Broad, with the stalk inserted within it.

Calyx: Closed.

Basin: Wide, of moderate depth, slightly corrugated.

Skin: Yellow, shaded and splashed with crimson, and thinly sprinkled with large gray and brown dots.

Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellowish, somewhat firm, juicy, crisp, rather rich subacid. Quality rated Good.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

September to February.

Uses

Valued for culinary uses.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Millcreek Vandevere.

Smokehouse. Red Vandevere. English Vandevere.

Origin, Lancaster Co., Pa., near Millcreek, grew on the farm of Gibbons, near his smokehouse, hence its name. An old variety and popular in Pennsylvania. It somewhat resembles the old Pennsylvania Vandevere, and is supposed to be a seedling of it.

Tree moderately vigorous, with a spreading head, a good bearer. Young wood dull dark reddish brown.

Fruit rather above medium, roundish oblate, skin yellow, shaded and splashed with crimson, and thinly sprinkled with large gray and brown dots. Stalk rather long, curved, inserted in a broad cavity. Calyx closed, set in a wide basin, of moderate depth, slightly corrugated. Flesh yellowish, somewhat firm, juicy, crisp, rather rich subacid. Good. September to February. Valued for culinary uses.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Millcreek Vandevere. See Smokehouse.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

English Vandevere Red Vandevere Smokehouse Vandervere Pippin Smokehouse Red Winter Pearmain Kaighn's Spitzenburg Adams Pearmain Powers English Vandervere Millcreek Vandevere Red Vandevere