Nelson Rock
Apple
Nelson Rock
Origin / History
Nelson Rock is a chance seedling that arose on the farm of the late Henry G. Roberts, near Greenfield, Virginia. It is also known as the Rock Apple. The variety is described in A.J. Downing's The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900). It is regarded as valuable in its locality for its good qualities and late keeping.
Tree
The tree is moderately vigorous and upright at first, becoming spreading under the weight of its fruit. It is an abundant bearer in alternate years, with a light crop in the intervening years.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large.
Form: Oblate, slightly conic.
Stem: Stalk short, small.
Cavity: Large, deep, sometimes with slight russet.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Rather broad, shallow, slightly corrugated.
Skin: Pale greenish white, shaded, striped and splashed with light and dark red over most of the surface.
Dots: Moderately sprinkled with light and gray dots.
Flesh and flavor: Whitish yellow, half fine, tender, juicy, rich, mild subacid.
Core and seeds: Core small.
Season
Recorded months of the season are December and March. The fruit is a late keeper.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Nelson Rock.
Rock Apple.
A chance seedling on the farm of the late Henry G. Roberts, near Greenfield, Virginia; tree moderately vigorous, upright at first, but spreading with weight of fruit; an abundant bearer alternate years, and a light crop the odd years; valuable in its locality for its good qualities and late keeping.
Fruit medium to large, oblate, slightly conic; skin pale greenish white, shaded, striped and splashed with light and dark red over most of the surface, and moderately sprinkled with light and gray dots; stalk short, small; cavity large, deep, sometimes slight russet; calyx closed; basin rather broad, shallow, slightly corrugated; flesh whitish yellow, half fine, tender, juicy, rich, mild subacid; core small. December, March.