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Historic Apple Cultivars in Yosemite National Park

The orchards of Yosemite date to the mid-1800s in California when the state saw an influx of settlers due to the goldrush. It was also an unrivaled era for the development of new fruit tree varieties. During this era known as, “The Golden Age of Pomology” there were around 6,700 unique varieties of apple grown in the U.S. according to one count of publications between 1804-1904.

Orchards were a common feature of homesteads and ranches throughout the country with apples being the most widely grown fruit. Grafted trees became the norm leading to a greater variety of trees suited to different growing conditions. Nurseries popped up in newly settled towns and supplied homesteaders with the common varieties of the time. Customers could choose from dozens of cultivars with catchy names and enticing characteristics. Some apples were better for cider, others for baking, and yet others for eating fresh.

An inventory of the yosemite orchards, completed in 2016-2017, included genetic testing of the trees. The majority of trees matched known cultivars from the mid-1800s, while some trees matched to rare, unknown cultivars. The following apples represent the known cultivars growing in the historic orchards of Yosemite. The watercolor sketches are from the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection.
A watercolor drawing of a deep red apple, both intact and cut in half.
Arkansas Black

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of a bright red apple, both intact and cut in half.
Baldwin

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of a red apple, both intact and cut in half.
Ben Davis

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of a green apple, both intact and cut in half.
Early Harvest

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of a yellow and red apple, both intact and cut in half.
Esopus Spitzenburg

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Hoover

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Jonathan

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Kaighn Spitzenburg

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
King

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Maiden Blush

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Northern Spy

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Pumpkin Sweet

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Red Astrachan

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Rhode Island Greening

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Roxbury Russet

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Seek-No-Further

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Smith Cider

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Swaar

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Tolman Sweet

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple.
Twenty Ounce

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Wagener

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
White Pippin

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
White Winter Pearmain

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Whitney Russet

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

A watercolor drawing of an apple, both intact and cut in half.
Yellow Bellflower

USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

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Yosemite National Park

Last updated: May 9, 2025