Dolgo identificationFruit Description

Size: Small

Shape: Round conical to oblong conical.  Name means "long" in Russian and typically fruit is ellongated widening from apex to basin.

Skin: Red to deep purple red, occassionally yellow ground color.  May have bloom.

Stalk (stem) and Cavity: Long, slender stem.  Cavity is obtuse.

Basin: Flat, obtuse, calyx often protruding.

Calyx (Eye): Erect, convergent, open sometimes closed.

Core (Vertical):  Calyx tube connical to funnel shaped. Carpels ovate. Core lines clasping.

Carpels and Axial Sac (Transverse): Usually five sometimes six.  Axile open. Irregular.

Flesh: Cream to yellow.

Flavor: Tart, juicy, acidic, can become mealy.

Dolgo in hand

Additional Notes

Synonyms: Malus baccata, Improved Red Siberian, Snow White Crab

First Recorded: Uknown, brought to US circa. 1897

Origin: Russia via South Dakota

Bloom time: Mid

Harvest: Mid

Use: Culinary, cider, jelly.

Storage: Poor

Disease: Moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Tree: vigorous, heavy bearer, very hardy.

Parentage: Seedling of Malus baccata, "Siberian Crab"

Frequency in Montana Orchards based on DNA testing: Low, but commonly planted as a modern ornamental.

History

Selected as the best seedling from several one year old Siberian Crab seedlings collected by Niels E. Hansen on a trip to Russian in 1897.  Released in 1917, the Dolgo was prized as a rootstock for its cold hardiness and often planted as a shelterbelt tree in the Great Plains.  Prized for its bright red fruit and ability to "jelly" easily and produce tasty pink cider it was also popular for kitchen use. 

Additional Photos

Dolgo Axial sac

Dolgo Base

Dolgo Axial Sac

References:

Bussey, D. J., & In Whealy, K. (2016). The illustrated history of apples in the United States and Canada.