Christmas Pink; Although Albert and Katharine did not have children of their own, they did have many nephews and nieces; Albert was one of ten brothers, several of whom ranched on nearby parcels. It became a holiday tradition in the Etter family to decorate the Christmas tree with pink-fleshed apples that had been stored since Fall. These "Christmas apples" were then given to the children for dessert.
The apple we named Christmas Pink® does indeed make a charming ornament; the deep pink flesh color suffuses the creamy translucent skin. It is a briskly tart apple when we pick it at the start of the rainy season. After a few weeks in storage in the barn or refrigerator, it mellows into a richly flavored apple that can be enjoyed in salads, desserts, pies, or cider. The melting flesh is exceedingly juicy, so combined with its color it calls to mind a very sprightly watermelon. Please refer below for more information on Christmas Pink apple trees
The description above is reprinted with permission from greenmantlenursery.com - which details Ram Fishman's work bringing the Rosetta™ & Sweetmeat Crab™ apple varieties to the world:
Restrictions to propagation & commercial use. no unauthorized propagation or sale of trees. no sale of fruit with out license. (CV. Etter 12-9 )
Considerations for Christmas Pink apple tree
USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Heirloom: Yes
Uses: Fresh Eating, Desserts, Pies, Cider
Harvest Period: Very Late
Bloom Period: Midseason
Pollination Requirement: Requires different variety with same bloom period
Origin Date: Ettersburg, CA 1900's
Storage: A few weeks
Rootstock: MM 111 (semi-dwarf)
Years to Bear: 2-4 years
Recommended Spacing: 12-16 ft.
Mature Size: 12-16 ft.
Water Requirements: 12-15 gallons per week May through Sept.
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Size of tree
Our trees range in height from 4-8 ft. in our field and trimmed to 4 to 5 ft. when shipped. Our young two year trees are most often feathered (side limbs). The trees diameter (caliper) is often 1/2 to 3/4 inch; *As noted by University of California Scientists and other qualified professionals the most successful trees often have caliper from 1/2" to 5/8" and usually establish faster than smaller and larger planting stock. .
Pruning tip
Basic idea for Pruning: Most fruit trees should be pruned in frost-free periods mid to late winter. (apricots best after bud break) Remove most vertical branches and shorten side branches. Fruiting wood is best on horizontal to 45 degree limbs. Learn more...
Shipping information
Shipping Note: Our fruit trees and berries are delivered to you bareroot during their winter dormancy from January through May depending on USDA zone. Trees are shipped with your invoice and helpful planting directions. There is no minimum quantity required but shipping rate for an individual tree is expensive since UPS/Fed Ex charge a dimensional weight and an additional handling fee to ship a tree. You'll find it's cost effective to consider a handful of trees,vines or our helpful Tree Starter Kits.
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