The four apple trees we planted at TRMV in the early 90’s, going clockwise, are Jonagold, Akane, Summer Red and Chehalis. These trees have been overgrown by Poplar trees to the south, boxwood to the north, and cherry trees to the west. I am hoping to clean some of this out this year to allow for more light and hopefully improve their diminishing productivity. The following is some information I’ve been able to pick up about these varieties.
The Jonagold is a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Jonathan apple. Color is red and yellow. Its a good all-purpose apple, good for eating and cooking. Fruit keeps for 3 months in cold storage. The Jonagold has been called the finest dessert and eating apple. It is semisweet, full flavored and is crisp and juicy. The Jonagold is a mid season variety, apples ripen in mid Oct. This apple needs a polinizer but it does not polinize other varieties in return. Expect to see some scab. The tree will fruit annually.
The Akane, a cross between a Jonathan and Pearmaine, is an outstanding apple for both fresh eating and cooking. This is my most reliable apple. It always produces a good number of fruit. Apples are bright red in color with white flesh and are full-flavored, tart, and sprightly, with a “grapelike” flavor. Texture is firm and crisp. Its a great apple for organic orchards since it is resistant to scab and mildew and reliably bears fruit every year. It is considered an early to mid season variety, ripening from early to mid Sept. Akane needs a polinizer and is a good polinizer in return.
I don’t have much information about the Summer Red. It is a good polinator, bearing small red apples early in the season. Apples tend to be scabby.
The Chehalis is a lovely tree baring yellow-green skinned apples with white flesh. Fruit is sweet and juicy, good for both eating and cooking. It is considered an early to mid season variety, ripening mid August to late Sept. Chehalis needs a polinator and is a good polinator in return. An excellent organic apple as it is resistant to both scab and mildew. This variety is known to be highly productive, though that has not been the case here. I really like the flavor of this apple but it is a little soft and meally. It makes great applesauce.
