Apple tree-Starling cultivar

#This distinct new apple cultivar was discovered as a limb mutation of a McIntosh tree in the early 1970's growing in the orchard of David and Teresa Starling, of Oyama, British Columbia, Canada. Fruit on this single branch developed a pronounced stripe weeks ahead of the other fruit on the tree and a full red color at maturity when compared to other typical McIntosh fruits on the remainder of the tree with only partial red color at maturity (FIG. 1). The Starling cultivar color development differs from Macspur (patented) cultivar in that it develops about 7 days earlier, and further it also starts to develop as a striped pattern as opposed to the solid blush pattern color characteristic of the Greenslade variety, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,982 (a/k/a/ Macspur R), Summerland cultivar and Imperial McIntosh cultivar. Comparing color development another way, the color on Starling cultivar develops about 7 to 10 days later than the earlier coloring and maturing Arends Variety, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2800 (a/k/a Paulared R). This new cultivar has been asexually reproduced on a variety of rootstocks and remains true to the description herein contained.

#FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows typical examples of the fruit and foliage of the Starling Cultivar. The following is a description of this new cultivar with the color designation according to the Horticultural Colour Chart issued by the British Colour Council in collaboration with The Royal Horticultural Society.

#FIG. 2 is a Starling cultivar limb granted on a full tree of Macspur cultivar apple tree and shows the red color developing at least 7 days earlier than the Macspur cultivar fruit shown on the balance of the tree.

#Pedicel: 1.5-2.0 cm (1/2-3/4 in.) in length.

#Corolla: 2.4-3.5 cm (1.0-11/2 in.) in diameter at anthesis.

#Color: Rose Bengal from plate 25 in tight bud to b 25/3 with open flower.