Syke-House Russet
Apple
Syke-House Russet
Origin/History
This apple originated at the village of Syke House, in Yorkshire, about the commencement of the nineteenth century. The German pomologist Diel, in translating the name for his nomenclature, committed a curious error, rendering it "Sik-House" and calling the variety "English Hospital Reinette" — apparently supposing either that the apple had originated in the garden of a hospital, or that the flavour of its fruit was especially agreeable to invalids. It is figured by Lindley, Pl. 81, and by Ronalds, Pl. xxxviii.
Tree
The tree grows freely and is very hardy, an excellent bearer. It attains a full middle size and may be grown as a standard, or when grafted on the paradise stock as an espalier or a pyramid. (Herefordshire Pomona)
Downing describes the tree as spreading and productive.
Fruit
Size and Form: The Herefordshire Pomona gives the fruit as below medium size, measuring two inches and a quarter broad by one inch and three-quarters high, roundish oblate. Downing describes the fruit as medium, oblate — a slight disagreement on size.
Stem: The stalk is half an inch long, inserted in a shallow cavity.
Cavity: Shallow.
Calyx: Small and open.
Basin: Shallow.
Skin: The base color is yellowish green, but the fruit is entirely covered with brown russet (described by Downing as light brown russet), strewed with silvery scales. Sometimes there is a brownish tinge on the side which has been exposed to the sun.
Flesh and Flavor: The flesh is yellowish, firm, crisp, and juicy. The two sources differ on flavor character: the Herefordshire Pomona describes it as rich, sugary, and of very high flavour; Downing describes it as sprightly and subacid. Both agree on the firm, crisp, juicy texture.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
End of October to February (Herefordshire Pomona); November to February (Downing).
Uses
One of the most excellent dessert apples for winter use.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
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)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- SYKE HOUSE RUSSET.
[Syn : Englische Spitalsreinette ; Prageri]
This apple originated at the village of Syke House, in Yorkshire, about the commencement of the present century. Diel translates this name in his nomenclature by a curious error of translation "Sik-House," and calls it "English Hospital Reinette," from the supposition that it had originated in the garden of an hospital, or that the flavour of its fruit was especially agreeable to invalids. It is figured by Lindley, Pl. 81, and by Ronalds, Pl. xxxviii.
Description.—Fruit : below medium size, two inches and a quarter broad by one inch and three-quarters high ; roundish oblate. Skin : yellowish green, but entirely covered with brown russet, strewed with silvery scales ; sometimes it has a brownish tinge on the side which has been exposed to the sun. Eye : small and open, set in a shallow basin. Stalk : half an inch long, inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh : yellowish, firm, crisp and juicy, with a rich, sugary, and very high flavour.
One of the most excellent dessert apples for winter use, and in season from the end of October to February.
The tree grows freely, is very hardy, and an excellent bearer. It attains a full middle size, and may be grown as a standard, or when grafted on the paradise stock as an espalier or a pyramid.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Syke-House Russet.
A Yorkshire Apple. Tree spreading, productive.
Fruit medium, oblate, yellowish, mostly covered with light brown russet. Flesh yellowish, firm, crisp, sprightly, juicy, subacid. November, February. (Hon.)