Sylvan Sweet Crab

Crab Apple

Sylvan Sweet Crab

Origin/History

Raised by Mrs. C. P. Ailing of Sylvan, Richland County, Wisconsin, from seed of Siberian Crab. A. L. Hatch, of the same town, provided the original description to the Pomologist and Gardener. Thomas (1903) lists the variety under the name "Sylvan Sweet" with a Wisconsin origin.

Tree

Described by A. L. Hatch as vigorous, handsome, and well suited to a northern latitude.

Fruit

Size and Form: Large, two inches or more in diameter, roundish oblate. Thomas describes it as "very large."

Stem: Long and slender.

Cavity: Medium.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Rather small.

Skin: Smooth, light yellow ground, nearly covered with bright red.

Flesh and Flavor: Flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, mild, and pleasantly sweet. Thomas concurs: tender, juicy, and sweet.

Core and Seeds: Core rather large. Seeds not described in source.

Season

Ripens the last of August and the first of September.

Uses

A. L. Hatch considered the fruit suitable for cider production.

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 (1894)

The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894

View original book sources (2)

Sylvan Sweet Crab.

Raised by Mrs. C. P. Ailing, Sylvan, Richland County, Wis., from seed of Siberian Crab, and A. L. Hatch, of that town, describes the tree as vigorous, handsome, and suited to a northern latitude; he says the flesh is tender, juicy, and sweet, and thinks it would make good cider.

Fruit large, two inches or more in diameter, roundish oblate; skin smooth, light yellow, nearly covered with bright red; stalk long, slender; cavity medium; basin rather small; flesh yellowish, tender, juicy, mild, pleasant sweet; core rather large; ripens last of August and first of September. (Pomologist and Gardener.)

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Sylvan Sweet. Very large, bright red, tender, juicy, and sweet. Wisconsin.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Sylvan Sweet