Roxbury Russet Apple
America’s oldest apple—bold, storied, and built to last.
Roxbury Russet is a true American original—one of the oldest known apple varieties native to the U.S., first grown in the early 1600s on the farm of Ebenezer Davis in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Also known as Belpre Russet, Leather Coat, and Putnam Russet, this heirloom variety has earned its place in history and in the kitchen.
The tree is cold-hardy, vigorous, and open-spreading, with a triploid nature that requires two diploid pollenizers for full fruit set. While mildly susceptible to common apple diseases, its robust growth often outpaces problems. It’s tip-bearing and may lean toward biennialism if not thinned, but it rewards good care with a dependable late-season harvest.
The apples are large, green-gold, and cloaked in a fine russet that thickens near the stem. The flesh is firm, granular, and almost too tart to eat fresh off the tree—but give it time. In storage, Roxbury mellows beautifully, developing a rich, complex flavor ideal for baking, cider, and long winter keeping. With high sugar (°Brix 15.9) and balanced acidity, it presses into a bittersweet cider with depth of flavor.
If you’re looking for a heritage apple with grit, flavor, and a story worth telling, Roxbury Russet is a timeless choice.
