Simmons' Red

Origin/History

Simmons' Red originated with the late John W. Davis, near Perry, Houston County, Georgia. Mr. Davis planted the seed approximately 1840. The variety is reported in Alabama as well as Georgia. It was also published under the name "Red Everlasting." Simmons' Red is considered one of the best summer apples of the Southern states, and by 1914 had been reported by at least one station in the Southern Division of horticultural trials, with cross-division reporting also indicated; no stations in the Northern Division or Central Division reported it at that time.

Tree

The tree is a thrifty, upright, compact grower. It is an early bearer and gives good crops nearly every year. Thomas describes the tree as vigorous and a profuse bearer, consistent with Downing's account of regular, heavy production.

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit is medium to large in size (Downing); Thomas and Lowther describe it as medium. The form is oblate, slightly conical. The sides are sometimes a little unequal and slightly oblique.

Stem

The stalk is short and small.

Cavity

The cavity is broad and deep, a little uneven, with light russet that sometimes extends out onto the fruit in rays and patches.

Calyx

The calyx is closed, or nearly so.

Basin

The basin is round, deep, and nearly smooth.

Skin

The skin is pale yellow (Downing; Thomas describes it as yellow), shaded with dark crimson where exposed to the sun. On the opposite side it is rather obscurely striped and splashed with light and dark red. Lowther characterizes the skin color broadly as yellow-red. The surface is pretty thickly sprinkled with yellowish russet dots, which are small, large, and irregular in form.

Flesh and Flavor

The flesh is pale yellow (Downing; Thomas also describes it as yellow), half fine, tender, and juicy. The flavor is mild subacid and slightly aromatic. Quality is rated very good by both Downing and Lowther; Thomas rates it good.

Core and Seeds

The core is rather small. Seeds are not described in any source beyond this indirect reference.

Season

Simmons' Red ripens in Georgia at the end of June and continues in use for two or three months thereafter — that is, through August or into September. All sources place it in the summer season.

Uses

An excellent summer apple valued primarily for fresh use. Specific culinary applications beyond table use are not described in any source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in any source.

Other

Not described in any source.