Cauley

Good Apple Info Snapshot:

Old southern apple. Hit REALLY hard by CAR in the spring at our location, bounced back by the fall. Any northern apple that struggles this bad with CAR, I would be reluctant to put in the ground, but seeing as this is an old southern heirloom, might be worth the risk and effort.

Good Apple Info Difficulty Rating:

Some reports susceptible to blights early on, then builds a strong resistance. Likely medium.

Tree Habit:

Vigorous, upright tree. Fruit loads can be heavy, but the limbs are typically able to support the harvest.

Apple Color:

In south they tend to be green with a sun-side red blush. In cooler climates, they may appear solid red. Often blemish free.

Size:

Large to extra large.

Flavor:

sweet, juicy, dense apples.

Bloom:

Start Main Season

Ripe:

Early September

History:

Grown throughout the Southeast during the 1800s. The last remaining specimen was found in Grenada, MS, in 1919. The Cauley grafts from 1919 were planted in the Stoneville, MS, research station. (Rich Delta soil.) Until the 1930s, when they were wiped out by a flood, they produced an average of one TON of fruit per year, per tree. That’s 45 bushels or 2,000 pounds. Per tree.

Storage:

Does not keep well.

Uses:

Fresh eating, cooking, drying.