The Smokehouse apple started as a seedling in 1837, which was growing in Pennsylvania Amish country on William Gibbon’s property adjacent to his smokehouse. It is believed to be the seedling of an ancient American apple called Vandevere.
As is the case with so many of the heirlooms native to the region, it has good natural disease resistance, and it is super cold-hardy, easily growing in climates as cold as zone 3.
Smokehouse is good for cooking, baking, cider, and eating fresh. It will keep for several months when stored properly. It is a large, flattish-shaped, yellow apple with red stripes. It is known to be a reliable bearer. The apple is tender and very juicy and has often been described as tasting like apple cider.
Smokehouse is a late season bloomer, which is great for Garrett County.
Pollinate with Crimson Crisp, Wolf River, Smokehouse, Summer Rambo, Baldwin, and Gold Rush. Tree will grow to be 15′ to 18′. You will want to give this tree support for life. It does not do well in heavy clay soil. Fruit ripens in October.
