From the Living Museum
Milo Gibson
- Origin
- Probably Oregon; a chance seedling found by Milo Gibson and first named Linnton
- Era
- Before 1975 (Linnton, Oregon)
- Type / use
- Dessert · Fresh eating
Portrait to be revealed
History & Stories
Limited published description. A chance seedling found by Milo Gibson, a co-founder of the North American Fruit Explorers, who called it Linnton; it was renamed for him after his death in 1975 1. Very sweet, with an anise or licorice flavor 1. Collectors’ variety whose character will be defined by my own fruit.
Folklore & Name
Sparsely documented American or collection variety. Name of personal origin. Limited published information; observation from my trees will be valuable.
Digging into the History
Below my own notes, here is what the old fruit books and today’s collections record about this apple, kept apart from the stories people tell.
What we know
According to Salt Spring Apple Company in British Columbia, drawing on information from Steven Hamblin of NAFEX (North American Fruit Explorers), this is a chance seedling, probably from Oregon 1. It was found by Milo Gibson, a co-founder of NAFEX, who named it Linnton after a Portland neighbourhood 1. After Gibson died in 1975, NAFEX renamed it in his honour 1. It is very sweet, with an anise or licorice flavour 1.
What we think: stories & traditions
Named for the finder, not the place. The date of before 1975 for Linnton, Oregon, given in the notes above, matches: it carried the place name until Gibson's death and his name afterward 1.
Sources
- Salt Spring Apple Company, "Milo Gibson." www.saltspringapplecompany.com/milo-gibson
Curious about Milo Gibson?
Email us at drgoss@honeytreeorchard.com.