Apple Scion, Esopus Spitzenberg

Apple Scion Wood – Esopus Spitzenberg (Malus domestica)

Esopus Spitzenberg is one of the most celebrated historic American apples, discovered in the late 1700s near Esopus, New York. The variety gained fame when Thomas Jefferson planted it at Monticello and praised it as one of the finest apples he had ever tasted. The medium-sized fruit develops deep red skin and firm yellow flesh with a complex flavor combining sweetness, acidity, and subtle spice.

Key Characteristics

A famous American heirloom apple
Spitzenberg has been grown in American orchards for over two centuries and remains one of the most respected heirloom varieties. Its long history and reputation for exceptional flavor have made it a favorite among orchardists and apple collectors.

Complex and aromatic flavor
The flesh is crisp, firm, and aromatic with a rich sweet-tart balance. Many apple enthusiasts consider Spitzenberg one of the most flavorful apples ever grown, with subtle spicy notes that give the fruit remarkable depth.

Excellent dessert and cider apple
Spitzenberg is prized for fresh eating but also performs well in the kitchen. Its balanced acidity and rich flavor make it suitable for pies, baked desserts, and traditional cider blends.

Late-season apple with good storage
The fruit typically ripens in mid to late October. When stored in cool conditions, Spitzenberg apples can keep for several months, and their flavor often improves after a short storage period.

Product Details

• Type: Apple scion wood
• Variety: Esopus Spitzenberg
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium, well-drained soils
• Bloom time: Mid-season
• Bloom color: White to pale pink
• Fruit qualities: Firm yellow flesh; rich sweet-tart flavor with subtle spice
• Fruit uses: Fresh eating, baking, cider, drying
• Fruit ripening month: October
• Required chill hours: ~800–1000 hours
• Pollination requirements: Requires a different apple variety for pollination. Good pollination partners include Golden Delicious, Liberty, Fuji, Gala, Enterprise, Granny Smith, and Gold Rush.
• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–8

Important: What You Are Buying (Scion Wood)

This product is apple scion wood, which is a dormant cutting taken from a mature tree during winter. It is essentially a stick with no roots and will not grow on its own. In order to grow a tree, the scion must be grafted onto a compatible apple rootstock.

Grafting allows growers to combine the fruiting variety with a root system that controls tree size, vigor, and adaptability. If you are planning to graft this season, check out our selection of apple rootstocks and build your own apple tree.