We had some version of rain this morning. It didn’t add up to much, but it was enough to keep us inside for the morning doing identifications. We were able to solve a few mysteries (always satisfying), but we’ve got many dozens ahead of us yet to go. At this point Skylar is keeping track of the requests, and I’m doing the actual staring at apples. That will change over time. Skylar can already ID many of the submissions, and as the data gets organized, we can both focus on the ID’s. It’s a huge undertaking, and one that will likely take us right through until spring.

One apple we looked at this morning a possible Stevens Gilliflower from Sweden, ME. That would be an incredible find. It has been long presumed extinct. Another was from western Washington state, submitted by Dave Benscoter, the retired FBI agent who has become a good friend. (Always good to have those guys on your side.) Dave was told about a cultivar thought to be the “Mottinger” apple and wanted my thoughts. In July he had received a email from a friend, “She has specific memories about growing up with a Mottinger apple at the family home near Fredrickson, WA (near Lakewood).” That led him to the granddaughter who wrote, “The tree is essentially abandoned. My grandparents passed away about 30 years ago, the farm was sold, and the older gentleman who bought it had no interest in the orchard and let it completely overgrow. My brother has spoken with and visited the man a few times, and he is supportive of our efforts. The tree has not been cared for at all. Of interest, there are several other apple, pear and plum trees throughout the property, many are likely lost, but the Mottinger still stands and did produce some fruit last summer.”

This is the type of ID that involves family lore, local history, descriptions from old regional nursery catalogs, ancient trees and the hope that no one cuts down the tree before we can save a few sticks of scionwood. The mystery. The story. The history. The pieces of the puzzle. Sometimes they all come together. Like this morning - I felt convinced that another old apple had been found.