Dudley Winter

Dudley Winter probably originated from a Duchess of Oldenburg apple seed, pollinated by Hyslop Crab, and planted by Mary Dudley about 1870. The apple was introduced by her husband, John Wesley Dudley, in Castle Hill, Aroostook County, in 1880. The apple became popular in northern Maine because it is one of the few storage varieties hardy enough to be grown in The County. It also became popular in Canada and in northern districts of New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and the upper mid-west, often under its synonym, North Star. In central and southern Maine, it ripens in September. Old trees can occasionally be found in northern and central Maine.

Dudley Winter fruit is medium-large, red-striped, red-blushed and slightly ribbed. It resembles Duchess of Oldenburg, the classic Russian variety grown on nearly every Aroostook County farm for over a hundred years. The fruit is susceptible to scab, but that won’t affect the taste.

"Dudley" is best used for pies, sauce and other cooking. It is too tart for most apple lovers to enjoy as a dessert apple although it would make a good garnish for a cocktail or as a slice to pair with a piece of cheese.