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Roxbury Russet apple trees

Malus domestica
Roxbury Russet
Roxbury Russet is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 4

Roxbury Russet is an apple variety that traces its history right back to the colonial era, and it is thought to be the oldest apple variety originating in North America - almost certainly a seedling of a European variety brought over by the early colonists. It remains popular as a variety for gardens and small orchards, not just for its history but because it is also a good all-round apple.

Roxbury Russet is a typical russet apple, with a sweet flavor. However it is larger than most russet apples. The extent of russeting can vary from considerable to minimal, and like many russets it can develop an attractive sun-kissed flush as well.

It has many uses from eating fresh to sweet and savoury salads, juicing and cider. It keeps well in cold storage and can be used throughout the winter months.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Roxbury Russet organic apple trees for sale

  • 11 yeartree on M9 rootstock23.25€
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out
  • 21 yeartree on M116 rootstock23.25€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
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Growing and Training

Like many antique apples, Roxbury Russet has some natural resistance to some of the diseases prevalent in the areas it originated, notably cedar apple rust, fireblight and scab.

Part of the reason for its success is that Roxbury Russet is both a very reliable and a very good keeper - qualities which are as useful today as when it was first discovered.

Roxbury Russet has a good climate range.


History

In use in Massachusetts in the early 17th century.


Roxbury Russet characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Picking seasonLate
  • Season of use3 months or more
  • Food usesEating freshCulinaryJuiceHard cider
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1600 - 1649
  • Fruit colourRusset

Similar varieties

  • See also Cox's Orange Pippin
    Cox's Orange Pippin
    Cox is widely acknowledged as having the best flavour of any apple variety.
  • See also GoldRush
    GoldRush
    A modern disease-resistant apple, like Golden Delicious but with a better tart/sweet balance. Good for eating fresh and juicing / cider.
  • See also Saint Edmund's Russet
    Saint Edmund's Russet
    Saint Edmund's Russet is considered one of the best English russet apples.
  • See also Spartan
    Spartan
    Spartan is a McIntosh style apple, easy to grow, crunchy, with a sweet delicate wine-like flavour.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.