Wolf River
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Wolf River
Origin / History
Wolf River originated in Wisconsin with W. A. Springer, near Wolf River, Fremont, Wis. Hedrick places the origin on Springer's farm. Springer disposed of the tree before it fruited to the late Henry Riflen, "near the east bank of Wolf River" (Downing). Hedrick says it was first described in 1875, and the earliest reference Beach lists is the Wisconsin Horticultural Society Report for 1875. Downing in 1900 introduced it as "a new, large, handsome apple."
Wolf River is supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it "somewhat" (Downing) or "sometimes" (Hansen) resembles. Beach places it in the Aport group and says it resembles Alexander "very closely in size, form, and color." Hedrick likewise finds it like "the better-known and more desirable Alexander in color, shape, and quality."
The size comparison with Alexander is a genuine conflict. Downing finds Wolf River "not usually so large nor so regular in form, darker in color, and rather better in quality." Hansen and Hedrick say it averages larger and is rounder and less conical, Hansen adding "as grown in the West."
Hansen writes that "the Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western states," and Thomas calls it "valuable in the Northwest." Hedrick says that in the West "many prefer tree and fruit to the Alexander—not so in the East," and that Wolf River "is of note chiefly for its very large apples." Stark Bros. call it "profitable chiefly as a show apple because of its immense size and beauty," but "not valuable" for its quality. Their advice is "One tree is enough for any orchard; plant Wealthy instead."
Tree
Tree large, strong, vigorous, thrifty, spreading; open and drooping (Hedrick); leaves large and thick (Downing). Very hardy, though Downing gives this only as report ("said to be very hardy"). Stark Bros. say it is "very hardy yet succeeds far south."
Not an early bearer. Productive in alternate years, Downing saying it bears full crops then; Hedrick calls it only moderately productive.
At the Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C., a tree planted in spring 1890 proved a vigorous grower. Lowther's station table rates it 1 in the Northern Division and 3 in the Central Division, each with the remark "also reported in another division."
Fruit
Size: Large to very large, often enormous; most authors call it very large. Stark Bros. call it "one of the largest of all apples," of immense size. Hedrick calls it uniform in size.
Form: Oblate, roundish oblate, or roundish; slightly angular. Hedrick calls it broad and flat at the base and conic or round. Wolf River is irregular and angular, especially when overgrown; Downing says the larger specimens are uneven and irregular while those of average size are regular. Hedrick calls it often irregular though uniform in shape, and Thomas alone calls it regular and smooth.
Stem: Short to very short. Thomas and Hedrick call it stout or thick, Hedrick adding "not exserted"; Downing calls it quite small.
Cavity: Deep, wide to medium width, somewhat acuminate to acuminate; regular (Hansen). Russeted, very or heavily so (Thomas, Hedrick). Downing calls it rather large and greenish, sometimes much russeted.
Calyx: Open, nearly open, or half open; segments reflexed (Thomas). Thomas calls the eye medium, while Hedrick calls the calyx large and open or closed. Calyx tube conical; stamens median (Hansen, Hedrick).
Basin: Abrupt, deep to very deep; wavy or a little uneven, or usually smooth and broadly furrowed (Hedrick). Hansen and Hedrick call it narrow, while Downing calls it large and very deep. Thomas alone calls it shallow and small.
Skin: Thick (Hedrick). Ground whitish yellow, yellowish white, or pale yellow; Downing says it is pale greenish yellow at first, becoming whitish when mature. The ground is almost wholly covered with bright red and rosy crimson, or with light and dark red over nearly the whole surface (Agassiz). Downing gives the light and dark red or crimson as shading where fully exposed. The red is mottled, blushed, striped and splashed, Hedrick describing bright, deep red marked with conspicuous splashes and broad stripes of bright carmine. Thin whitish bloom (Downing, Hansen). A handsome fruit, "very handsome" in Hansen's words.
Dots: Light-colored: white, light gray, pale, or russet. Large, areolar, depressed (Hedrick); obscure (Hansen). Downing and Thomas call them few or scattering, while Hedrick calls them numerous.
Flesh and flavor: White to whitish, or yellowish white, white tinged with yellow. Coarse to rather coarse, coarse-grained. Tender to half tender (Downing); Hedrick calls it firm and tender. Juicy to moderately juicy, though Thomas calls it dry when ripe.
Flavor pleasant subacid, mildly acid. Downing says "pleasant, mild subacid, with a peculiar spicy, slight quince-like flavor"; Hedrick says aromatic, and Thomas says "not rich."
The book authors place it at good or below: "good only" (Hansen), "good" (Lowther's table), "fair to good" (Hedrick), "medium quality only" (Thomas). Stark Bros. call the quality "very poor."
Core and seeds: Core medium (Downing, Hansen) or large and abaxile (Hedrick). Hansen calls it open, with cells roundish ovate and slit, while Hedrick gives the cells closed or partly open. Core lines clasping. Carpels broadly cordate, emarginate, tufted (Hedrick). Seeds short and plump; not many (Hansen); dark brown, wide, obtuse (Hedrick).
Season
The recorded season runs from September into winter. Most authors give an autumn to early-winter season, beginning in September or October and ending between November and midwinter; Thomas and Lowther's table say winter. As fruited at his Station, Beach gives September to December, with October the commercial limit in ordinary storage; in cold storage it may be held till January. Beach adds: "It does not stand heat well."
Uses
Kitchen and market (Lowther's table); "a good cooking apple" (Agassiz). Stark Bros. value it chiefly as a show apple for its size and beauty.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Thomas illustrates it as Fig. 447, and Hedrick as Fig. 63. The Stark Bros. entry carries the notation "NNCS."
Book Sources
Described in 7 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Budd & Hansen, Systematic Pomology (1914)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)
- Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 39 catalogs (1891–1925) from Alabama, California, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington
- Missouri Nursery Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1891
- Puyallup & Yakima Nurseries , Puyallup, Washington (Lock Box 191) and North Yakima , Washington — 1892
- Oregon Wholesale Nurseries , Salem , Oregon — 1893
- The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894
- Woodburn Nurseries , Woodburn, Marion Co. , Oregon — 1894
- Cotta Nursery (J.V. Cotta) , Carroll County , Illinois — 1895
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1896
- J.V. Cotta (Cotta Nursery) , Carroll County , Illinois — 1898
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1898
- Alabama Nursery Co. , Huntsville , Alabama — 1900
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
- Washington Nursery Co. , Toppenish , Washington — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Pacific Nursery Company (W. O. Hudson & A. D. Hudson) , Tangent , Oregon — 1903
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Russellville, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1903
- Phoenix Nursery Company (W. E. Rossney , President; Sidney Tuttle, Vice-President), Bloomington , Illinois — 1904
- The Dalles Nurseries , The Dalles , Oregon — 1906
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1906
- J.B. Pilkington , Portland , Oregon — 1907
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Montavilla Station, Portland, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1907
- Carlton Nursery Co. , Carlton , Oregon — 1909
- Milton Nursery Co. (A. Miller & Sons , Proprietors), Milton , Oregon — 1909
- Washington Nursery Company , Toppenish , Washington — 1909
- C.F. Lansing , Salem , Oregon — 1910
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1910
- Galbraith Nursery Co. (DeWitt Hansen , Pres.-Mgr.), Fairbury , Nebraska — 1911
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1911
- Ballygreen Nurseries , Hanford , Washington — 1912
- Pacific Nursery Company , Portland , Oregon — 1912
- Vineland Nurseries Company , Clarkston , Washington — 1912
- Washington Nursery Company , Toppenish , Washington — 1912
- Van Holderbeke Nursery Co. , Incorporated, Spokane, Washington (nurseries at Otis Orchards WA, Pasadena WA, Kennewick WA) — 1913
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
- Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1918
- Oregon Nursery Co. , Orenco , Oregon — 1920
- Christopher Nurseries / John Stewart & Sons , Christopher , Washington — 1920
- Fresno Nursery Co. , Fresno , California — 1924
- Columbia & Okanogan Nursery Co. , Wenatchee , Washington — 1925
- North-Western Nurseries , Walla Walla , Washington
View original book sources (9)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Wolf River.
A new, large, handsome apple, the tree of which was grown by W. A. Springer, and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen, near the east bank of Wolf River, Fremont, Wis.; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it somewhat resembles; not usually so large nor so regular in form, darker in color, and rather better in quality. The tree is said to be very hardy; a strong, vigorous grower, spreading, with large thick leaves; not an early bearer, but producing full crops on alternate years.
Fruit large to very large, oblate to roundish oblate, slightly angular, some of the larger specimens uneven and irregular, but those of average size are regular; skin pale greenish yellow, but becomes whitish when mature, shaded with light and dark red or crimson where fully exposed, having a thin whitish bloom, and a few light dots; stalk very short, quite small; cavity rather large, greenish, sometimes much russetted; calyx open, or nearly so; basin large, very deep, a little uneven; flesh white, rather coarse, half tender, juicy, pleasant, mild subacid, with a peculiar spicy, slight quince-like flavor; core medium. Season, October, November.
— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)Wolf River—Originated with W. A. Springer, near Wolf river, Fremont, Wis., and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander which it sometimes resembles, but is more round and less conical and averages larger, as grown in the west. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western states. Tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years—Fruit very large, often enormous, roundish to roundish oblate, somewhat irregular and angular, especially when overgrown; surface whitish yellow, almost wholly covered with bright red and rosy crimson, with carmine splashes and thin whitish bloom, a very handsome fruit; dots white, obscure; cavity regular, deep, somewhat acuminate, medium width, russeted; stem short; basin narrow, abrupt, wavy; calyx half open. Core open, clasping, medium size; cells roundish ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens median; seeds not many, short, plump; flesh whitish, coarse grained, moderately juicy, pleasant subacid, good only. October to midwinter.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Wolf River. Very large, round oblate, regular, smooth; yellowish white, splashed with bright red, dots large, scattering, light gray; basin shallow, small; eye medium, open, segments reflexed; cavity deep, wide, very russet; stem short, stout; flesh yellowish white, coarse, tender, dry when ripe, sub-acid, not rich, medium quality only. Valuable in the Northwest. Winter. Fig. 447. Wisconsin.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)WOLF RIVER.
References. 1. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1875:107. 2. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:452. 3. Budd, Ib., 1880:524. 4. Downing, 1881:113 app. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1881:16. 6. Barry, 1883:357. 7. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886:148. 8. Van Deman, U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1886:271. fig. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1887:93. 10. Can. Hort., 11:9. 1888. 11. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:253. 12. Can. Hort., 16:34. 1893. 13. Ib., 20:34. 1897. 14. Thomas, 1897:286. fig. 15. Waugh, Vt. Sta. Bul., 61:132. 1897. 16. Woolverton, Out. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 6:32. 1899. 17. Can. Hort., 22:121, 437. 1899. figs. 18. Woolverton, Out. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 7:10. 1900. figs. 19. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:313. 1901. 20. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:116. 1902. fig. 21. Dickens and Greene, Kan. Sta. Bul., 106:56. 1902. 22. Budd-Hansen, 1903:207. fig. 23. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:61. 1903. 24. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:151. 1904.
Synonyms. None.
This is a variety of the Aport group. It resembles Alexander very closely in size, form, and color. Hansen states (20) that it is "supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it sometimes resembles, but is more round and less conical, and averages larger, as grown in the West. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western states. Tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years." As fruited at this Station it is in season from September to December, with October as the commercial limit in ordinary storage. In cold storage it may be held till January. It does not stand heat well,
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Wolf River. — Originated with W. A. Springer, near Wolf River, Fremont, Wis., and disposed of before fruiting to the late Henry Riflen; supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander, which it somewhat resembles, but is more round and less conical and averages larger, as grown in the West. The Wolf River has largely superseded Alexander in the western States; tree a strong spreading grower, not an early bearer, but productive in alternate years.
Fruit very large, often enormous, roundish to roundish oblate, somewhat irregular and angular, especially when overgrown; surface whitish yellow, almost wholly covered with bright red and rosy crimson, with carmine splashes and thin whitish bloom, a very handsome fruit; dots white, obscure; cavity regular, deep, somewhat acuminate, medium width, russeted; stem short; basin narrow, abrupt, wavy; calyx half open. Core open, clasping, medium size; cells rounded, ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens median; seeds not many, short, plump; flesh whitish, coarse-grained, moderately juicy, pleasant subacid, good only. October to midwinter.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Wolf River. Size: large. Form: roundish (oblate). Color: red. Quality: good. Use: both kitchen and market. Season: winter. N. Div.: 1 (also reported in another division). C. Div.: 3 (also reported in another division).
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)WOLF RIVER. Fig. 63. Wolf River is of note chiefly for its very large apples. The fruits resemble those of the better-known and more desirable Alexander in color, shape, and quality; but average larger and are rounder and less conical. The tree is very hardy and thrifty, but is only moderately productive. In the West, many prefer tree and fruit to the Alexander—not so in the East. The variety originated on the farm of W. A. Springer, Wolf River, Wisconsin, and was first described in 1875. Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open, drooping. Fruit very large, uniform in size and shape, broad and flat at the base, conic or round, often irregular; stem short, thick, not exserted; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, heavily russeted; calyx large, open or closed; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, usually smooth, broadly furrowed; skin thick, pale yellow, mottled and blushed with bright, deep red and marked with conspicuous splashes and broad stripes of bright carmine; dots numerous, large, areolar, depressed, pale or russet; calyx-tube conical; stamens median; core large, abaxile; cells closed or partly open; core-lines clasping; carpels broadly cordate, emarginate, tufted; seeds dark brown, wide, short, plump, obtuse; flesh white tinged with yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, subacid, aromatic; fair to good; September to December.
— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit very large, roundish, oblate. Skin yellowish white, with light and dark red over nearly the whole surface. Flesh white, juicy, rather coarse, mildly acid. A good cooking apple. Season November and December.
— Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark Bros. Year Book (1910) (1910)One of the largest of all apples; striped and blushed bright red, very hardy yet succeeds far south. Profitable chiefly as a show apple because of its immense size and beauty. Quality very poor and for this reason it is not valuable. One tree is enough for any orchard; plant Wealthy instead. NNCS