Trumbull Sweet
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Trumbull Sweet
Origin/History
Originated in the orchard of Aaron Fenton, Trumbull County, Ohio. The variety is also known as Fenton Sweet and Fenton Sweeting, names derived from the originator. Warder notes that despite its beauty, it is less esteemed on account of its season, but its productiveness makes it valuable for stock-feeding.
Tree
Vigorous, spreading, healthy grower. Productive and an early bearer. Warder characterizes it as a fine white sweet apple.
Fruit
Size: Warder describes the fruit as above medium; Downing describes it as medium.
Form: Regular and flat (Warder); roundish oblate (Downing). These descriptions are broadly compatible.
Stem: Rather short (both sources); Downing adds that the stalk is slender.
Cavity: Warder describes the cavity as deep. Downing describes it as broad and uneven.
Calyx/Eye: Warder describes the eye as large and rather open. Downing states the calyx is closed. These are in conflict; both characterizations are recorded here.
Basin: Deep and regular (Warder). Not described in Downing.
Skin: Very smooth (Warder). Color described by Warder as pale yellow or white, resembling ivory; Downing describes the ground color as whitish yellow with a blush in the sun. Warder does not mention a blush.
Dots: Warder describes them as scattering and minute. Downing describes a few brown and indistinct green or gray dots.
Flesh: White, juicy (both sources). Fine grained and breaking (Warder); tender (Downing). Flavor described as very sweet by Warder; mild and sweet by Downing.
Core: Closed (Warder); rather large (Downing).
Seeds: Numerous and plump (Warder). Not described by Downing.
Season
September and October.
Uses
Baking and stock-feeding (Warder). Not described by Downing.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Quality rated Very Good by both sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Trumbull Sweet. FENTON SWEET.
This is another fine white sweet apple, originating in Ohio, which, notwithstanding its beauty, is less esteemed on account of its season, but its productiveness makes it valuable for stock-feeding. Tree vigorous, spreading, productive, and an early bearer.
Fruit above medium, regular, flat; Surface very smooth, pale yellow, or white, resembling ivory; Dots scattering, minute.
Basin deep, regular; Eye large, rather open.
Cavity deep; Stem short.
Core closed; Seeds numerous, plump; Flesh white, fine grained, breaking, juicy; Flavor very sweet; Quality very good; Use, baking and stock; Season September and October.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Trumbull Sweet.
Fenton Sweeting. Trumbull Sweeting.
Originated in the orchard of Aaron Fenton, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Tree a healthy, spreading, vigorous grower, an early and good bearer.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, whitish yellow, with a blush in the sun, and a few brown and indistinct green or gray dots. Stalk rather short and slender. Cavity broad, uneven. Calyx closed. Flesh white, juicy, tender, mild, sweet. Very good. Core rather large. September, October.