North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[dwoodard@becon.org]

Caren, I have the impression that Corn Hill finds Cox marginal at their
site. However, elsewhere in the Maritimes (for example the Annapolis
Valley) it is successful, so they have a market for trees.

I used to buy from a grower at Milford in Prince Edward County, right on
the shore of Lake Ontario with a small block of Cox who lost half his
trees in the test winter of 1980-81. I don't think that Cox would be a
good risk for you.

Of Cox types you might try Holstein (Siloam, probably a little chancy in
4b), or better Erwin Baur if you can find it in Canada. A collector
(appleman) at Bathurst NB in Zone 4b seemed to think EB was adequately
hardy there. Laxton's Fortune (picks early Sept. in UK) if it is in Canada
might be worth trying as it is a Cox x Wealthy cross supposedly of very
good quality (Laxton's Epicure is Wealthy x Cox).

I have heard of Bramley being grown near Montreal though I don't know for
how long. I suspect that St. Jerome would be pushing it. If you have not
done so already you might try Belle de Boskoop or Sandow as cookers of
quality: Claude Jolicoeur reports them hardy with him.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada


>   Hi David,
>
> I have purchased trees and been in touch with Siloam Orchards in the
> past. They are perhaps a little bit warmer than me. If I remember
> correctly, they suggested that Cox and Bramley would probably not be
> hardy enough (on their website they are listed as tender in zone 5).
>
> This is why I was intrigued to hear about Cornhill offering them as
> hardy in zone 4.
>
> Despite regularly fantasizing about both these apples, I still think I
> am going to play it safe. I've had enough heartache with my apple trees
> for a little while and I am limited for space.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Caren Kirk
> St. Jerome, QC
>
[snip]