Russell Stafford
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
MALUS domestica 'Fameuse'
Plant Common Name
Antique Apple, Apple, Cooking Apple, Dessert Apple
General Description
Possibly originating in Quebec in the seventeenth century, 'Fameuse' (also known as 'Snow') is still prized for its exceptional cold hardiness and its handsome flavorful apples. Ripening in early fall, the small, globular or slightly flattened fruits have greenish yellow skin heavily overlaid with red blushing and streaking. The fragrant white flesh of this dessert or cider apple is tender, juicy, and very tasty. The fruits do not last long in storage, and are highly susceptible to scab. The vigorous upright trees bear heavy crops in alternate years. They do best in areas with cold winters. Although self-fertile, 'Fameuse' will bear more heavily when cross-pollenized by another early-blooming apple (such as 'Braeburn').
There is nothing more satisfying than growing your own apple trees. The domestic apple is most commonly a medium-sized tree with a rounded to oval canopy. It originates from southeastern Europe, Siberia, and southwestern Asia and has been in cultivation for thousands of years. In spring, these trees offer sweet, fragrant flowers of light pink, white or rose, and in fall reward us with crisp, juicy apples.
These fruits have a wide variety of colors, textures and flavors and may be eaten out-of-hand, pressed for cider, frozen, canned or baked in a variety of ways. There are thousands of cultivars available, including many interesting heirlooms as well as fresh new varieties. Different selections vary in height and may bear fruit in late summer or fall.
While the domestic apple prefers full sun and well-drained soil, it will tolerate light shade and bouts of drought. For best fruit production, trees must be vigorously pruned and maintained. Apples are susceptible to many pests and diseases, but resistant varieties are available.
Most apples are grafted onto rootstock that provides a wide range of benefits such as vigor, pest and disease resistance and dwarf stature, depending on the stock.
