Winter Harvey

Origin/History

An old Eastern variety (Downing). Elliott, writing under the synonym Autumn Pippin, notes it was "as yet little known out of Vermont" as of 1865, indicating a New England origin. Downing lists it under the alternate names Winter Pippin and Autumn Pippin.

Tree

Vigorous, upright, spreading, and productive (Downing). Young shoots dark grayish reddish brown (Downing).

Fruit

Size

Elliott's primary entry and Thomas describe the fruit as large. Downing describes it as medium.

Form

Roundish conic, slightly ribbed (Downing; Thomas). Elliott's primary entry describes it as conical and slightly ribbed; Elliott's entry under the synonym Autumn Pippin describes it as oblong conical.

Stem

Short (Elliott, both entries). Downing describes the stalk as rather short.

Cavity

Deep (Elliott, under Autumn Pippin).

Calyx

Small, closed (Elliott, under Autumn Pippin). Partially closed (Downing).

Basin

Deep and narrow (Elliott, under Autumn Pippin).

Skin

Greenish yellow, rarely with a shade of dull red in the sun (Downing). Elliott's primary entry describes the color as pale yellow; Thomas likewise says pale yellow. Elliott's entry under Autumn Pippin describes it as greenish yellow with a slight bronzed cheek and sparse green dots.

Flesh/Flavor

Tender, juicy, mild subacid (all sources agree). Downing describes the flesh as white, pleasant, and rates it Good. Elliott's primary entry describes the flesh as yellowish, firm, and juicy. Elliott's entry under Autumn Pippin describes the flesh as whitish, juicy, tender, and mild sub-acid.

Core/Seeds

Core rather small (Downing). Core medium (Elliott, under Autumn Pippin).

Season

December (Elliott, under Autumn Pippin). January to March (Downing).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.