Apple Tree Ananas Berżenicki - Malus domestica

The Apple Tree Ananas Berżenicki is an old variety of Lithuanian origin, named after the taste of its fruits resembling that of a pineapple. This vigorous tree produces large yellow apples, turning pinkish on the sunny side, which are harvested in summer, as early as August. Their flesh is firm, tight, crunchy, and tasty. They should be consumed quickly as they do not keep well. This very hardy variety is also not very sensitive to diseases. Being self-fertile, it does not require another tree to be pollinated and bear fruit.

The Apple Tree is one of many fruit trees belonging to the extensive Rosaceae family, which also includes wild plants from the countryside, as well as a multitude of ornamental plants (Aruncus, or Goat's Beard, Cotoneaster, Kerria...). The Malus genus includes fruit species, such as the Common Apple Tree (Malus domestica, Malus communis or Malus pumila), and ornamental ones, like the superb Malus 'Red Sentinel' which offers a beautiful white spring flowering, decorative bright red fruits, and scarlet autumn colours. Cultivated since ancient times (the Romans already knew 29 different varieties), the Apple Tree is a fruit tree native to the forests of Central Asia and now exists in around 20,000 varieties.
'Ananas Berżenicki' was discovered by chance in 1886 near Dukšty in Lithuania, by the renowned pomologist and professor at the Institute of Forestry in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Professor Adam Hrebnicki. This variety quickly spread to Poland and other Eastern European countries, mainly due to its excellent cold resistance (down to about -30°C). It is now out of fashion and mainly survives in gardens, as other more colourful and better-keeping varieties have replaced it in professional orchards.
The vigorous tree easily reaches 5 m in height by 4.5 m in spread, with a wide, spreading, slightly flattened crown. The main branches are strong and can support the weight of the fruits without risk of breakage. This variety shows good longevity; however, it takes a little longer than others to bear fruit, so some patience is required in the early years. The tree mainly blooms in May, a little earlier in warmer regions, producing single, pinkish-white flowers, slightly fragrant and honey-producing. This variety has a high self-pollination rate and therefore does not require a nearby pollinator. However, the presence of another variety flowering at the same time can increase its yield. The yield is average, though consistently regular from year to year. It produces large spherical to slightly conical fruits, with firm skin that is not too thick and covered with a waxy layer. The colour of this skin is yellow, more or less greenish, tinged with pink or red on the sun-exposed side, with characteristic green lenticels clearly visible, especially on the shaded side. The flesh is firm, crunchy, moderately juicy and quite aromatic, with a sweet to sweet-sour taste reminiscent of pineapple. This apple is harvested in August and can be consumed a week after picking. The harvest should be grouped as the fruit tends to drop from the tree and does not keep for long. Therefore, it should be consumed quickly, fresh or used for juices, desserts, or preserves. These apples can reasonably only be stored until September; it is a quintessential seasonal fruit.

This old Apple Tree impresses with its hardiness against cold and diseases, as well as the quality and original taste of its fruits. A knife apple, it will also allow you to produce delicious juices. Plant it alongside other spreading fruit trees to enjoy a good part of the season. The Cherry Tree 'Early Rivers', also self-fertile, will give you tasty and sweet cherries from June. A Pear Tree 'Comtesse de Paris' will complete your small orchard. Self-fertile, you can harvest its fruits in September-October, after the Ananas Berżenicki apples.