Liberty

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From Geneva, N.Y., cross made in 1955, Macoun x PRI 54-12, introduced in 1978. PRI 54-12's ancestors are Wealthy, Rome Beauty and M.floribunda selection #821 that carries a Vf scab resistance gene. Generally considered as the first succesful scab resistant introduction. This is a MacIntosh-type apple that bears some resemblance with Spartan and Empire. Color red, medium size, harvest a little later than McIntosh, keeps a few months, good hardiness to zone 4.
 
Picture from Claude's orchard, taken Sept 19, 2005, just picked. Largest is 74 mm across.
 
<IMG alt="" src="http://grou.ps/wysiwyg_files/editor/groworganicapples-20100408223110-zalmxtdyaceazwwbu.jpg">
 
 
GROWER COMMENTS:
 
<A href="http://grou.ps/people/zalmxtdyaceazwwbu">Claude Jolicoeur</A>, Quebec, Zone 4
I have one tree of Liberty, on Antonovka root, planted in 1991. This is my favorite tree, the most productive, the most trouble free, highest percentage of clean apples (in an unsprayed orchard), vigourous but easily manageable, perfectly hardy, and scab free. I can't say however that this is my favorite apple, but it does rank quite high. The flavor is very good fresh, but I think it develops some off taste after long conservation. The fresh juice is excellent. Not as much sugar as some others for cider but I use it. I have made quite good ciders that had some Liberty in the blend.
 
 <A href="http://grou.ps/people/eexjosxxmtwrtrrvq">Michelle (and Chris) McColl</A>, Australia
We have had two Liberty trees for about 8 years. Last winter grafted over 50 Fuji to Liberty, after consistently good comments at Farmer’s Markets. Our observations are Colour: bright red skin, very white flesh Size: tends to be rather small Eating Quality: crisp, juicy, slightly acidic, nice flavour Disease Issues: totally free from scab Management Issues: seems very prone to biennial bearing, very short stalks - hard to thin

From Geneva, N.Y., cross made in 1955, Macoun x PRI 54-12, introduced in 1978. PRI 54-12's ancestors are Wealthy, Rome Beauty and M.floribunda selection #821 that carries a Vf scab resistance gene. Generally considered as the first succesful scab resistant introduction. This is a MacIntosh-type apple that bears some resemblance with Spartan and Empire. Color red, medium size, harvest a little later than McIntosh, keeps a few months, good hardiness to zone 4.

Picture from Claude's orchard, taken Sept 19, 2005, just picked. Largest is 74 mm across.

GROWER COMMENTS:

Claude Jolicoeur, Quebec, Zone 4

I have one tree of Liberty, on Antonovka root, planted in 1991. This is my favorite tree, the most productive, the most trouble free, highest percentage of clean apples (in an unsprayed orchard), vigourous but easily manageable, perfectly hardy, and scab free. I can't say however that this is my favorite apple, but it does rank quite high. The flavor is very good fresh, but I think it develops some off taste after long conservation. The fresh juice is excellent. Not as much sugar as some others for cider but I use it. I have made quite good ciders that had some Liberty in the blend.

Michelle (and Chris) McColl, Australia

We have had two Liberty trees for about 8 years. Last winter grafted over 50 Fuji to Liberty, after consistently good comments at Farmer’s Markets. Our observations are
Colour: bright red skin, very white flesh
Size: tends to be rather small
Eating Quality: crisp, juicy, slightly acidic, nice flavour
Disease Issues: totally free from scab
Management Issues: seems very prone to biennial bearing, very short stalks - hard to thin