The 'Esopus Spitzenburg' was first discovered in the early 1700s along the Hudson River north of New York City and it, along with the 'Albemarle Pippin', was one of Thomas Jefferson's two favorite apples. He planted 32 of these trees in the South Orchard at Monticello between 1807 and 1812. Nineteenth-century pomologist A. J. Downing described the 'Spitzenburg' as "a handsome, truly delicious apple ... unsurpassed as a dessert fruit ... considered the first of apples." Today, apple connoisseurs still consider this variety among the finest ever known.

Handsome red apples with firm, juicy yellow flesh. Unforgettably delicious, brisk, rich flavor. Ripens in late autumn.
Prefers full sun and moderately rich, well-drained soil.
Biennial bearer; this apple produces fruit every other year.
Needs a pollinator.
Grows 14 to 16 feet in height.
USDA Zones 5 through 8.
zone5,zone6, zone7,zone8
This plant will ship bare root beginning February 20th

Our trees are propagated on MM-111 rootstock, which produces a tree that will grow to about 75% of a standard apple tree’s size. They are drought and disease resistant and do not require staking. They are tolerant of both heavy and light soils and are relatively long-lived.