Apple tree `Romagold`

#This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree and more particularly to a spontaneous limb-sport mutation of the apple variety commonly known as Jonagold, a non-patented variety.

#The discovery was made by the inventor, Mr. Romain Surkijn, in 1983, in one of his cultivated apple orchards located at Betserbaan 40, B-3460, Halen, Belgium.

#The mutation appeared as a spontaneous limb-sport in the upper portion of a two (2) year old Jonagold tree (FIG. 1). The inventor (discoverer) was attracted to this new Jonagold sport by the early, broadly striped, bright, red coloring of its fruit (See FIGS. 3 and 5). The winter following this discovery, the inventor collected grafting wood from the sport-limb to use for grafting of second (2nd) generation trees and for topworking. Second (2nd) generation trees were grafted in the spring of 1985. The new cultivar was named "Romagold" for all future reference use (FIG. 2).

#The accompanying full-color pictures and tables illustrate the new Romagold apple tree and the characteristics of its fruit.

#FIG. 1 Shows the sport limb on the original mother tree.

#FIG. 2 Shows a three (3) year old second (2nd) generation tree of Romagold growing in the inventor's orchard near Halen, Belgium. Note standard Jonagold parent trees in background.

#Following is a detailed description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with the Munsell Color Cascade Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

#1. Parentage: A spontaneous limb-sport of the apple variety Jonagold (unpatented).

#2. Locality where grown and observed: