GR2 (TOZETTE RUSSET)

Of the various golden russet types we’ve found and DNA profiled from old Maine orchards, this one has shown up repeatedly in Waldo and Knox counties. It has also shown up as a parent of two exceedingly old trees, Bourassa in Washington County and what we are provisionally calling “Sennebec Russet” in Knox County. We have given the unidentified cultivar the provisional name of GR2. There is a slight chance that GR2 is English Golden Russet (aka Poughkeepsie Russet), although that is probably not the case. It is more likely that it is a local selection that became popular here but not out of state. We’re hoping to find it in other locations around New England and beyond. The name Tozette refers to one of the GR2 trees we’ve found in Palermo.

The fruit is medium-sized, entirely russeted, and keeps most of the winter in the root cellar.  While it may not have the high flavor of GR1 (Golden Russet of Western New York), it is worth growing. On trial at SCF. Scionwood from the Tozette tree.