Cortland

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From Geneva, N.Y., crossed in 1898, Ben Davis x McIntosh, introduced in 1915 by S.A. Beach. Important commercial variety in New England and Quebec. Good for all purposes, and particularely for salads and drying as it takes more time than other varieties to become brown. Generally considered sensitive to scab, canker and fire blight. Medium late, and a good keeper.
 
Picture of Cortland from Claude's orchard, taken September 30, 2006, apples just picked. Largest was 80 mm across.
 
   <img src="http://assets00.grou.ps/0F2E3C/userimages/groworganicapples/20090316210941-zalmxtdyaceazwwbu.jpg" />
 
 
GROWER COMMENTS:
 
<a href="http://grou.ps/people/zalmxtdyaceazwwbu">Claude Jolicoeur</a>, Quebec, Zone 4
This is my main variety. When I bought my property in 1982, there were 15 adult standard Cortland trees on it, that were part of a larger orchard that had been abandoned and splitted in different lots. I guestimate this orchard was planted during the 1940's. These trees are now quite old and suffering from many cankers - this is a bit like cancer... Their productivity has decreased year after year for the last 10 years and a few will probably die soon. I do appreciate the variety very much however. It does get some scab, but not as much as other varieties - and there is always enough clean apples for family consumption. I use it a lot for cider, either as base for blending or as a single varietal. And although many cider makers will not even consider Cortland, when they taste the cider, they say "Cortland? Is this a joke?" or something similar... A 85% Cortland blend won a gold medal and the "Best of Show" award at the Great Lakes Cider competition of 2008. So, personnally, I think it is a great cider apple. The sugar content is high enough and acidity relatively high also. And it has just a little bit of tannin to give a nice zip to the cider.
 
 
DISCUSSION:
 
<a href="http://grou.ps/people/locarjycvdggoxhqq">C.J. Walke</a>, Maine
The 2010 Fedco Trees catalog, in its Cortland description, says that a recent UMass study showed Cortland had resistance to apple maggot fly. Has anyone heard this or know more about it?
 
Reply from <a href="http://grou.ps/people/zalmxtdyaceazwwbu">Claude Jolicoeur</a>
For my part, I do have quite a bit of maggot damage. However, I haven't really seen a difference in sensitivity between Cortland and other late varieties. Early varieties are more sensitive to maggot in general than late varieties.

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From Geneva, N.Y., crossed in 1898, Ben Davis x McIntosh, introduced in 1915 by S.A. Beach. Important commercial variety in New England and Quebec. Good for all purposes, and particularely for salads and drying as it takes more time than other varieties to become brown. Generally considered sensitive to scab, canker and fire blight. Medium late, and a good keeper.

Picture of Cortland from Claude's orchard, taken September 30, 2006, apples just picked. Largest was 80 mm across.

GROWER COMMENTS:

Claude Jolicoeur, Quebec, Zone 4

This is my main variety. When I bought my property in 1982, there were 15 adult standard Cortland trees on it, that were part of a larger orchard that had been abandoned and splitted in different lots. I guestimate this orchard was planted during the 1940's. These trees are now quite old and suffering from many cankers - this is a bit like cancer... Their productivity has decreased year after year for the last 10 years and a few will probably die soon. I do appreciate the variety very much however. It does get some scab, but not as much as other varieties - and there is always enough clean apples for family consumption. I use it a lot for cider, either as base for blending or as a single varietal. And although many cider makers will not even consider Cortland, when they taste the cider, they say "Cortland? Is this a joke?" or something similar... A 85% Cortland blend won a gold medal and the "Best of Show" award at the Great Lakes Cider competition of 2008. So, personnally, I think it is a great cider apple. The sugar content is high enough and acidity relatively high also. And it has just a little bit of tannin to give a nice zip to the cider.

DISCUSSION:

C.J. Walke, Maine

The 2010 Fedco Trees catalog, in its Cortland description, says that a recent UMass study showed Cortland had resistance to apple maggot fly. Has anyone heard this or know more about it?

Reply from Claude Jolicoeur

For my part, I do have quite a bit of maggot damage. However, I haven't really seen a difference in sensitivity between Cortland and other late varieties. Early varieties are more sensitive to maggot in general than late varieties.