Local growers try hand at new apple varieties from Ohio

Tiny grafted trees growing in Henderson County might become the future of the local apple industry. A group of volunteers and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension recently planted 40 trees from an experimental farm in Ohio.

Mitch Lynd, an Ohio apple farmer, spoke to local apple growers at a conference here in February. He discussed a breeding program in the Buckeye state that had made progress in developing new apple varieties. He wanted local growers to enhance the program and looked for volunteers.

Lynd said his group developed several varieties that might grow better farther south in areas like Western North Carolina.

Dave Ritchie, a volunteer at the test plot located on Richard and Mindy Staton’s farm, said the program wants to breed and select a variety that takes advantage of the growing environment in the region.

“Our mission is to determine what dwarfing root stalk and what variety are good for Henderson County,” Ritchie said.

Dwarfing root stalk is the base that a tree graft is attached to. The process creates small apple trees.

The test plot has been in operation since 1985. It has 200 varieties of apples and peaches. Extension Agent Marvin Owings said the goal is to produce a variety that is branded and unique to Western North Carolina.

“These do not have names, but we will give them a name if we like them,” Ritchie said.

Owings thought “Dixie Crisp” might be a good name.

The trees from Ohio were planted two weeks ago. Owings said it will take about five years for them to reach maturity and produce fruit. He said the trees have already gone through one round of testing, so the region might be close to having its own variety. Owings said if a particular tree is chosen, it would have to be patented and the royalties would go to the Ohio group.

Royalties average $4 to $6 per tree.

Owings said he is looking for a variety that is late blooming, has good size, flavor and color and stores well.

Owings said he is optimistic about the program.

“By the end of the season, we will know if they are going to survive,” he said.