Nelson Rock
AppleNelson Rock
Also known as: Rock Apple
Origin and History
A chance seedling that arose on the farm of the late Henry G. Roberts, near Greenfield, Virginia. The variety became valued in its locality for its good qualities and exceptional keeping capacity.
Tree
Moderately vigorous, upright at first but spreading with the weight of fruit. Bears abundantly in alternate years, with a light crop in intervening years (biennial bearing habit).
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to large, oblate, slightly conic.
Skin: Pale greenish white, shaded, striped, and splashed with light and dark red over most of the surface, moderately sprinkled with light and gray dots.
Stem: Short and small.
Cavity: Large and deep, sometimes with slight russet.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Rather broad, shallow, slightly corrugated.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish yellow, half fine, tender, juicy, rich, mild subacid.
Core: Small.
Season
December through March.
Uses
Noted for late keeping, suited to storage. Not further described in source.
Subtypes and 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.