Benton Red (cherryfield)

This high quality, all-purpose winter keeper, was discovered by John in a small farm orchard in Benton, Maine in 1979. This might possibly be the Benton Red documented in Bradford’s Apple Varieties in Maine (1911). DNA profiling has identified the apple as identical to what we’ve been calling Cherryfield from Washington County, Maine and the Illinois cultivar, Salome. The Maine discoveries may—or may not—be local synonyms of Salome. Regardless of its true name, the apple was apparently fairly well-known as we have found old trees in Benton, Thorndike, Ellsworth and Cherryfield.

The medium-large fruit is rosy red, very smooth skinned, round-conic, with a shallow basin, wide acute-obtuse cavity and somewhat prominent russet dots. It is good for cooking and fresh eating. Keeps all winter. It is one of our favorite winter apples. Scionwood was obtained from the old trees in Benton. Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.