Stone Pippin
AppleStone Pippin
Origin/History
Stone Pippin is an old variety first described by Lindley in his Guide to the Fruit Garden, and has long been associated with Norfolk, England, where it was still grown in the early twentieth century. Bunyard (1920) notes it as "a good old sort still grown in Norfolk."
Tree
Both sources agree on vigorous growth and heavy productivity. Downing (1900) describes the tree as a free grower and abundant bearer; Bunyard (1920) characterizes it as vigorous and very fertile.
Fruit
Size
Sources conflict on size. Downing (1900) places the fruit below medium. Bunyard (1920) calls it medium, giving dimensions of 2½ inches by 2 inches (height by diameter).
Form
Sources conflict on form. Downing (1900) describes the fruit as roundish. Bunyard (1920) describes it as flat, angular, and irregular.
Stem
Bunyard (1920): slender, set in a medium, deep cavity.
Cavity
Bunyard (1920): medium, deep.
Calyx
Not described in source.
Basin
Bunyard (1920): shallow.
Skin
Sources differ on color. Downing (1900) describes the skin as yellowish green with a slight tinge of red in the sun. Bunyard (1920) describes it as pale yellow, more or less covered with cinnamon russet, with no mention of red.
Flesh and Flavor
Sources conflict on both flesh color and flavor character. Downing (1900) describes the flesh as white, firm, brisk, rich, and sweet. Bunyard (1920) describes the flesh as very firm, pale yellow, sub-acid, aromatic, and very distinct in flavour.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
Downing (1900) gives the season as November to March. Bunyard (1920) indicates use as dessert or culinary fruit extending until June, suggesting a notably long storage life.
Uses
Downing (1900) emphasizes its value as a long-keeping cooking fruit. Bunyard (1920) lists it as both dessert and culinary.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920) — listed as NORFOLK STONE PIPPIN
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Stone Pippin.
Norfolk Stone Pippin. White Stone Pippin. White Pippin.
A valuable long-keeping cooking fruit. Tree a free grower and abundant bearer.
Fruit below medium, roundish, yellowish green, slight tinge of red in the sun. Flesh white, firm, brisk, rich, sweet. November to March.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)NORFOLK STONE PIPPIN. (White Pippin, White Stone Pippin.) Dessert, or culinary, till June; medium, 2½ by 2, flat, angular, irregular. Colour, pale yellow, more or less covered with cinnamon russet. Flesh, very firm, pale yellow, sub-acid, aromatic and very distinct in flavour. Eye, open, in a shallow basin. Stem, slender in a medium, deep cavity. Growth, vigorous: very fertile. Origin, an old variety first described by Lindley in his "Guide to the Fruit Garden." A good old sort still grown in Norfolk.