zachary

Zachary is the provisional name for a triploid apple that I’ve discovered growing in seven central Maine towns. The DNA profiles confirmed that the old trees from Belgrade (AMHO 151), North Belgrade (AMAI 020), Mercer (AMHO 297), Rome (AMAI 021), and Sidney (AMHO 484) are all identical. Another untested tree, a bit further away in Farmington, is almost certainly also the same cultivar. All the trees are less than twenty-five miles apart with the exception of a tree in Harpswell (AMHO 237). The DNA profile also revealed that one of the parents of this apple is the historic dessert cultivar, Newtown Spitzenburg. I was first introduced to the North Belgrade and Belgrade trees in September 2011 by Belgrade native and fruit explorer, Laura Childs. Although we have not yet been able to determine its true name, Zachary is a good possibility. Zachary originated in Belgrade and was introduced by the local orchardist, Joseph Taylor, in the mid-nineteenth century.

The fruit is large, oblate, angular and rusty red. This excellent all-purpose apple ripens in late fall. Our scionwood comes from the Belgrade tree (AMHO 151). Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.