Royal Russet
Apple
Royal Russet
Origin and History
An old variety imported from England, where it was highly esteemed as a valuable winter apple (Coxe). Known in England as the Leather-coat, and recorded under several French-language names on the Continent. It was established in American cultivation by at least the early nineteenth century.
Tree
Hardy, vigorous, and productive (Downing). Bears abundantly (Coxe).
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium in size. The two sources differ on form: Coxe describes it as flat when ripe; Downing describes it as roundish oblate conical. These may reflect selection strain differences across the century between the two accounts.
Stem: Short and thick, with small swellings in the surrounding cavity parts (Coxe).
Skin and Color: The two sources give notably different color impressions. Coxe (1817) describes the sun-exposed side as a rich red intermixed with russet, with spots of white. Downing (1900) describes the ground color as yellowish green, mostly covered with brownish russet, which is bronzed in the sun — with no mention of red coloring. Both agree on a significant russet component; the degree of red blush may vary by strain, season, or growing region.
Flesh: Greenish white (Downing). The two sources diverge on texture: Coxe calls it tender and sprightly, while Downing describes it as firm. Flavor is well-flavoured with a rich acid character (Coxe: "well flavoured, sprightly"; Downing: "rich acid"). Quality rated Good (Downing).
Season
A winter apple. Ripens into November and keeps through February (Downing). Coxe confirms it keeps well.
Uses
A fine cooking apple (Coxe). Its keeping quality and productive bearing made it a valued winter variety on both sides of the Atlantic.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1911) from England
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 68. ROYAL RUSSET, OR LEATHER-COAT.
This is an apple of moderate size, and of a flat form when ripe, the side next the Sun is a rich red, intermixed with russet, with spots of white : the flesh is well flavoured, sprightly, and tender ; the stem short and thick, with small swellings in the surrounding parts it is a fine cooking apple, keeps well and bears abundantly. It was imported from England, where it is highly esteemed as a valuable winter apple.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Royal Russet. Leathercoat Russet. Reinette de Canada Platte. Reinette de Canada Grise. Passe Pomme de Canada. An old variety. Tree hardy, vigorous, and productive. Fruit medium, roundish oblate conical, yellowish green, mostly covered with brownish russet, which is bronzed in the sun. Flesh greenish white, firm, rich acid. Good. November, February.