I'd like to attach a name to an apple cultivar on my property -- near San Diego. The tree appears to have been planted around 1990-2000. I'm assuming it's probably a low chill cultivar, and it appears to be similar to Beverly Hills (unpatented), Gordon (USPP4144) , and Pettingill (USPP1352). I've compared my description of it to the patent filings for Gordon and Pettingill. Here's my description: Branches: smoke grey (ridgeway), with lighter patching. Branches are smooth, with no sheen (not glossy), new growth tomentose. Lenticels, not conspicuous. Leaf: Avg length 5.5",Avg width 2.5", oval to ovate shape, slightly acuminate apex, obtuse to slight cuniate base, coarsely serrate on mature leaves, upper surface color RHS 139A (dark green) and glabrous, Lower color RHS 138B (light green) and tomentose; no waviness to leaf margin. Petiole length 2.25" with Acajou Red (Ridgway) at attachment. Flowers: color vivid red (RHS 52A), before opening fading to white at petal fall. Flowering period early April to Early June. Appears to be a partial tip bearer, with more spurs at ends of branches. Flowers opening alongside ripening fruit. Fruit: not large. Axial diameter not more than 2.75" and about as wide. Ripens late june - early august, with fruit ripening at different times. Stem length 1", unripe fruit color RHS 145C (green). Develops reddish striping at fruit base, with stripping becoming less defined with ripening, turning into a blush on sun facing side covering approx 50% of surface. Undercolor remains green. Apex has round protuberances at the base of each sepal.

The long bloom period and staggered ripening seem very much like the Gordon apple, however the fruits are nowhere the 4-5" width described for Gordon. Also I have not observed any glossiness to the branches as described in the patents for Gordon and Pettingill. From descriptions of Beverly Hills it appears to have a nearly blackish bark color, which I have also not observed.

I'd appreciate any help trying to ID this apple. The rootstock of this tree (appears to be MM111) suckered a fair amount earlier this year. I harvested the suckers out of this inadvertent stool bed and now have a dozen trees ready for bud grafting -- I'd like to figure out whether the unknown variety is worth budding.