Columnar apple tree -- Obelisk variety

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of apple tree having weak to medium vigor is provided which exhibits a columnar growth habit that generally resembles a vertical pole. The new variety resulted from a cross between a plant designated A1583 that was produced by the crossing of the COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN and COURT PENDU PLAT varieties (non-patented in the U.S.) and the WIJCIK variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,382). Flowers form later than on the other varieties of columnar apple trees. The new variety forms attractive small to medium sized fruit having a yellow ground color with a high level of red-purple overcolor. The overall appearance is a rich maroon red with some light green or yellow coloration depending upon the degree of ripeness. The fruit configuration is somewhat asymmetric and generally is regular, flat-round to round. The fruit flesh is white and generally remains crisp and rather brisk until the end of the calendar year when properly stored. The harvest date typically is early October. The fruit commonly can be cold-stored until April while present in a ambient atmosphere.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree having the following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits a columnar growth habit,   (b) commonly exhibits weak to medium vigor which is more than that exhibited by the TELAMON and CHARLOTTE varieties, and less than that exhibited by the TUSCAN variety,   (c) flowers later than other previously available columnar apple varieties,   (d) forms attractive small to medium sized fruit having a yellow ground color with a high degree of somewhat striped rich maroon red overcolor that commonly can be cold-stored until approximately April while present in an ambient atmosphere, and   (e) commonly exhibits an early October harvest date; substantially as herein shown and described.