The Melrose apple tree returns to Les Trois Jours de St Jean du Gard. Among seven growers, I secured one in top condition. Wow! I first discovered this variety in the orchard at the Jardiniers de France headquarters in Valenciennes, where I worked for six years—ample time to taste and appreciate its qualities.
This old heirloom apple features yellow skin streaked with red, a delightful slightly tart flavor—simply excellent!
And the icing on the apple—no more cherry needed—it's grafted onto M7. Here are its key traits I noted from the site: https://www.les-vergers-retrouves-du-comminges.org/Les-porte-greffes,1151,fr.html
Moderately vigorous, tolerant of drought and humidity. Fairly rapid and fairly abundant fruit set, good fruit quality, insensitive to phytophthora, not very sensitive to fire blight. Must be tutored. Recommended for trees of medium development.
Precisely what my clayey Gard soil demands, enduring summer droughts followed by Cévennes flooding episodes.
The site details main rootstocks for apple, pear, cherry, and plum trees. Always check your tree's graft—it's not always labeled.
