Apple Tree Cynamonówka Prążkowana - Malus domestica

The 'Cynamonówka Prążkowana' Apple Tree is an old Russian variety, prized in Central Europe for its excellent hardiness. With a fairly vigorous growth, the tree develops a characteristic broad conical habit. It produces lovely apples where yellow and green blend before red dominates at ripeness. Their yellowish-white flesh is firm and sweet, with a surprising hint of cinnamon aroma. This eating apple is equally suited for desserts and preserves. Highly disease-resistant, particularly scab and powdery mildew, this variety requires pollination by another variety. The harvest is moderate to somewhat sparse but increases with age.

The Apple Tree is a member of the vast and important Rosaceae family, which also includes most of our other fruit-bearing genera (Pear, Peach and Nectarine, Raspberry...). The genus Malus comprises roughly forty species, including the common Apple Tree, Malus domestica (synonyms, Malus communis or Malus pumila), as well as non-fruiting species like ornamental Crabapple Trees. The fruiting Apple Tree has been cultivated since ancient times, predating the Roman era, with an estimated 20,000 varieties existing today.
The Malus domestica 'Cynamonówka Prążkowana' is a very old Russian variety, whose lineage has been lost. It was widely cultivated in the 18th and 19th centuries in central Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Similarly, in Poland, it is frequently found in old orchards of former monasteries, manor houses, and palaces. Its exceptional hardiness explains its popularity in these climatic zones, as does its strong disease resistance. The tree exhibits a vigorous growth, developing a broad, spreading conical to pyramidal habit. It typically reaches 4.5m in height with a spread of 3.5m or more. Its initially rapid growth slows once it starts to produce fuit, which occurs somewhat late, after 4 or even 5 years. In April-May, it produces a single, pale pink-white blossom, characteristic of the species, unscented but ornamental and melliferous. The flowers require pollination by other varieties to be planted nearby, such as 'Lobo', 'McIntosh', or 'Kronselska'. 
The resulting fruit is small to medium in size, spherical and slightly flat. Its initially greenish-yellow skin increasingly turns red as the fruit ripens. Full ripeness occurs around late August, depending on the climate, and the apple can be eaten straight from the tree. The lightly ribbed fruit is covered in a fairly thick natural wax. Its flesh is firm, dense, yellowish-white, both sweet and tangy, with a notable spiced aroma, primarily cinnamon. Relatively juicy, this dessert apple also makes delicious fruit juice and can be used in desserts and preserves.

Easy to grow and very hardy, unfazed by cold, scab, or powdery mildew, this variety's only drawback is perhaps its rather low yield, though this improves as the tree ages. Its attractive apples offers delightful flavours to discover. Plant it alongside other fruit trees with staggered harvests to enjoy throughout summer and autumn. Berries will kick things off, such as the multiple cropping Raspberry Frambélise, with incomparably sweet berries, or the more tangy Redcurrant Bushes. For the autumn, opt for the vitamin-rich, uniquely flavoured Kiwi, or the equally decorative and succulent Persimmon.