 Summer-Fall-Winter.
Seedling of Northern Spy. Winthrop, ME(Kennebec County). Maine orchardist
Morris Towle (1911-1993) named this discovery for his daughter. We're
fairly sure that only one mature tree remains alive today. The medium-sized
roundish fruit is dull yellow, washed with vibrant purple-pink, overlaid
with stripes of deep rusty red and covered with pink dots. The flesh
has no acidity, perfect for those who do not like or cannot eat tart
apples. No acidity also means Sweet Sal can be harvested over a long
period, because there's no waiting for the tartness to abate. Can
be eaten from August to March although at its best in October. Like
its parent Northern Spy, it comes into bearing later than most varieties
and keeps extremely well. In fact, I've been surprised at what a good
storage apple it is. Tree is vigorous and upright growing. It was
a treat to meet Sal herself (Sally Dawson) a few years ago. She told
me there was also a Sour Sal, but that one seems to have disappeared! |
