USPP2880P - Apricot tree - Google Patents

Description

April 22, 1969 F. W. ANDERSON APRICOT TREE Filed Sept. 11, 1967 Plant Pat. 2,880

INVENTOR Frederic W Anderson ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,880 APRICOT TREE Frederic W. Anderson, Merced, Calif., assiguor to Reedley Nursery, Inc., Reedley, Califl, a corporation Filed Sept. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 667,013

US. Cl. Plt.39 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cultivar of apricot tree which is a regular and very productive bearer of an unusually early ripening, freestone fruit having commercially desirable characteristlcs.

Background of the variety Over a substantial number of years I have engaged in an extensive and continuing plant breeding program at my experimental nursery and orchard located near Le Grand, Merced County, Calif; one purpose of such program being to provide improved varieties of fruit trees. The present variety of apricot tree resulted from my endeavors in the course of such plant breeding program.

Origin of the variety Asexual reproduction of the variety I accomplished asexual reproduction of the present variety of apricot tree by multiple budding on mature trees in my aforementioned orchard; such reproduction having run true to the original tree in all respects.

Summary of the variety The present variety of apricot tree is new and distinct by virtue of the following characteristics:

The tree is a regular and very productive bearer of uniform size, yellow flesh, freestone fruit having an unusually early ripening period and which, on the approximate average, is ten days before Pomo (United States Plant Patent No. 2,192), two weeks before Madesto (United States Plant Patent No. 2,515), and three weeks before Royal-Blenheim (unpatented).

The yellow flesh of the fruit is much firmer than that of any apricot variety now available, and such firmness of flesh gives substantial promise that the fruit can be harvested, and otherwise handled, mechanically. Also, such firmness of flesh permits the fruit to be shipped long distances, and marketed over a comparatively long period of time without loss of attractive appearance. Further, the fruit, by reason of its firmness of flesh, processes-as by canning or drying-in an excellent manner.

Brief description of the drawing The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color, of fruit of the variety, together with a twig with leaves; the view including one fruit cut in half in the suture plane, with the stone remaining in one half.

Description of the variety The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of apricot tree-with color definitions (except those in Plant Pat. 2,880 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 common color terms) referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Co1orare as follows:

Tree:

Size.Medium.

Vig0r.-Medium.

Growth-Spreading.

Density.-Open.

Pr0ducti0n.Very productive.

Bearing.Regular bearer. Trunk: V

Size.Medium. Texture.Medium. Branches:

Size-Medium.

Texture.Medium.

Colon-Red to green.

Lenticels.-Numbermedium. Size-medium.

Leaves:

Size-Large to medium. Average length3". Average width-2%".

Form.Cordateacutely pointed.

T hickness.Medium.

Texture.Smooth.

Margin.Finely serrate.

Peti0le.Mediurn length; medium thickness to slender.

Glands.-Average number.4. Alternate; small; globose; positioned usually 2 on petiole and 2 on leaf margin near base.

Col0r.--Top sideMedium Green (22L9). Un-

dersideLighter Green (21-L-8).

Flower buds:

Size.-Small.

Length.Medium.

Form .-Conic.

Flowers:

Blooming peri0d.About one week before Royal- Blenheim.

Size.Medium.

Col0r.White petals, reddish sepals.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.Eating ripeJune 10,

Date of first picking.May 30, 1967.

Date of last picking-Alum 20, 1967.

Size-Uniform; medium. Average diameter axially-2%. Average transversely insuture plane F0rm.-Unsymrnetrical; oblong, compressed laterally.

Suture.Distinct; extends from base to apex.

Cavity.--Elongated in suture plane with suture showing on one side; very shallow. Markingsnone.

Apex.Depressed.

Pistill point.-Absent.

Skin:

Thickness.Medium.

Texture.-Medium.

Tenacity.-Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency t0 crack.-None noted.

C0l0r.-Normal Apricot Yellow (IO-L-S) blushed and slightly mottled with Red (4-K-10) on sunny side.

Flesh:

Texture.--Very firm; tough; meaty.

F ibers.Few; tender.

Ripens.-Evenly.

F lavo-r.Subacid; delicate.

Eating quality.-Good.

C0l0r.Normal Apricot Yellow (9-L-7). Surface of pit cavity-yellow with yellow fibers.

3 Stone:

'Type.'Fre'e. Size. Medium. Average length 1". Average breadth% Average thickness-V2". F orm. 0blong. Hilum.-Narrow. A pex.-R0unded. Sides.Equal. Ridges.0ne either side-stone smooth. Ventral edge-Thin, with wing-throughout. Dorsal edge.-Full, without groove. Tendency t0 split.None noted. C0lor.Brown (8H8). Use: Market; canning; drying. Keeping quality: Excellentlong she'lflife. Shipping quality: Excellent.

The apricot tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail'dueto climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in the Central Valley of California, and wherein in 1967 all fruit ripened over two weeks later than normal.

I claim:

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, substantially as illustrated and described, which is a regular and veryproductive bearer of freestone'fruit characterized by very firm, yellow flesh, and by a ripening period which on the approximate'average isten days before Pomo, two weeks before Modesto, and three weeks before Royal- Blenheim.

No references cited.

ROBERT E.BAGWILL, Primary Examiner.

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