Apple tree named `Sciearly`

#The new Malus domestica variety was selected from a population of seedlings derived from crossing the apple varieties `Splendour` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,460) and `Gala` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637) in 1984. The new variety was distinguishable from the parent varieties Splendour and Gala as well as the sister varieties `Sciray` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,815); `Sciglo` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,813); `Sciros` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,814) and `Scired` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 08/687,874). The features which distinguish the new variety from the aforementioned varieties are:

#Gala: Sciearly fruit has earlier harvest season, larger size, and a block color pattern compared to the striped color pattern of Gala.

#Splendour: Sciearly fruit has earlier harvest season, firmer flesh, and thicker skin.

#The accompanying drawings show typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the new variety as depicted in colors as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

#FIG. 1 represents four views of an apple and foliage of the new variety:

#In FIG. 1, at the upper left hand, is a top view of an apple of the variety, while at the upper right hand is a bottom view of the apple of the variety. In FIG. 1, at the lower left hand is a side view of the apple of the variety, while in the lower right hand is a cross-sectional view of an apple of the variety.

#The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts (R.H.S.C.C.).

#The specimens described were grown at Havelock North, New Zealand. The observations were made in the 1996 season on trees which were eight years old at the time.

#Tree: Medium; spreading habit; bearing on shoots and spurs; medium vigor on MM106 rootstock.