 Fall.
Damariscotta Mills, ME (Lincoln County), 1790. Brought to Maine from
Ireland by shipbuilder James Kavanagh as a seed or small tree. Kavanagh
founded Damariscotta Mills and built the first catholic church in
Maine in 1808, still standing today. Kavanagh apples were a local
favorite for many years but were rarely if ever known outside the
immediate area. Several years ago we went to visit local historian
and Kavanagh enthusiast George Dow in Nobleboro and gathered scionwood
from one of the last living trees, a broken down stump a few miles
from his home. We've since discovered three others, the largest of
which is 8 feet in circumference at chest height. Also called Cathead
because of its distinctive shape with a large bulbous stem end tapering
to a small calyx end typical of Irish apples. The very large sized
fruit has a tough skin, lime green mellowing into a yellow, and about
half to two thirds covered with russet. The stem is medium in length
and thickness. The flesh is white, firm, tart, and fairly dry. Locally
popular as a good cooking apple. |
