Great Maine Apple Day

All around Maine, ancient apple trees are showing their colors. Somewhere out there, some trees have produced a few rare heirloom apple varieties that MOFGA would like to know about. You may have unknowingly seen them in your travels, perhaps not giving them much thought. But, you should. They are some of many rare local varieties that played a key role in Maine’s small scale diversified agriculture for nearly three hundred years. Listed below are some varieties and their likely general locations. We think we may have located three of them, and we are working with folks in different regions of the state to verify the discoveries. If you think you know the location of one of these ancient trees, please call MOFGA Board member, John Bunker at 207-993-2837. Thanks!

Variety: Briggs Auburn
Details and likely location: Briggs Auburn (also called "Briggs") is a classic old apple that originated in Minot. Briggs Auburn originated before on the farm of Thomas Record of the town of Minot, then part of Auburn. It was later popularized by John C. Briggs. The fruit is large, oblate (slightly flattened), mostly yellow and blushed with red. It’s ripe now and will keep into the winter. It was popular in the area and old trees should still exist. We have located one in Waldo County, but never one near Auburn.

Variety: Carll Apple
Details and likely location: The Carll apple is a classic old variety that originated in Saco. Carll originated about two hundred years ago on the farm of Elias Carll (b. 1787) near the location of the old "Heath Meeting House" in North Saco up Route 112 towards Dayton, perhaps on the Heath Road. All we know is that the Carll Apple was "a superior fruit, highly prized, and sought after for years." There is a small church where the Meeting House might have been. Look for a really ancient tree and you may have found it. Download "Wanted - Alive" poster of Carll Apple.

Variety: Cherry Pippin and Major Small
Details and likely location: These two varieties are classic old apples that originated in Carmel. The two apples originated in the Damascus area of Carmel about 130 years ago. Cherry Pippin is roundish in shape, yellow, striped with red spots and dotted with tiny pin points of dark green. Major Small is medium in size and flattish in shape. The coloring is dull green with large green spots and a dull rosy blush.

Variety: Collins Apple
Details and likely location: Collins (also called "Cherryfield") is a classic old apple that originated in Cherryfield. Collins originated in 1850 on the farm of Wyman B. Collins and was largely popularized by David W. Campbell. The original tree was still standing in 1907. It was extensively grafted trees in the vicinity of Cherryfield so trees should still be standing in the area. The fruit is large, roundish-conic, yellowish green and washed and splashed on the sunny side with crimson. The flesh is greenish-white, crisp, tender, fine grained, mild and tart. It ripens late, its season being from November to February or perhaps later. Download "Wanted - Alive" poster of Collins (Cherryfield) Apple.

Variety: Franklin Sweet Apple
Details and likely location: Franklin Sweet is believed to have orginated in Franklin County. The tree is vigorous and its spreading is productive. The fruit is large, roundish and conical, whitish yellow overlaid with crimson with stripes and spalshes of deeper crimson. This variety was a favorite with many for baking and dessert. Download "Wanted - Alive" poster of Franklin Sweet Apple.

Variety: Given’s Apple
Details and likely location: Givens is a classic old apple that originated in Topsham. Givens originated in 1850 on the farm of a Samuel Givens who lived in Topsham. The fruit should be easy to spot. It’s mostly red and conic. It would something like a Red Delicious only without the points around the blossom end. It would also be found only on a really old tree. The flesh is white, juicy and tart. It would be ripe right now.

Variety: Haynes’ Sweet
Details and likely location: Haynes’ Sweet (also called "Haynes") is a classic old apple that originated in Swanville. Haynes’ Sweet originated in 1835 on the farm of a Mr. Haynes of Swanville who lived near the Searsport line. The large fruit, is oblong, yellow, washed and splashed with scarlet. The stem is short and stout inserted into a broad, shallow, slightly russeted (brown) cavity. The basin (blossom end) is shallow, and slightly irregular. The flesh is yellowish, coarse grained and sweet. It was last seen in Swanville many years ago. It might also be somewhere in Searsport, near the farm formerly owned by John Nickels. Download "Wanted - Alive" poster of Haynes' Sweet Apple.

Variety: Hoyt Sweet Apple
Details and likely location: Hoyt Sweet (also called "Hoyt Sweeting") is a classic old apple that originated in Franklin County. Hoyt Sweet originated about 1830 on the farm of a Mr. Hoyt in Franklin County. It was best known around Hallowell and Manchester, growing especially well on the east side of Cobbossee Lake. The medium size fruit is conical, with unusual coloring. It’s greenish brown, or one side greenish, the other russety brown with numerous small black and red dots. This was a late fall dessert apple that stored into May, with flesh greenish yellow, moderately firm, juicy and rich in flavor.

Variety: Narragansett Apple
Details and likely location: The Narragansett Apple originated on the farm of Jacob H Harmon, in Buxton, ME in 1873. The tree was reported as a free grower and very hardy but a rather shy bearer. The fruit is medium to conical, pale yellow, washed and spalshed with crimson and heavily overlaid with a deeper shade of crimson on the sunny side with numerous small white dots. Download "Wanted - Alive" poster of Narragansett Apple.