Providence

Crab Apple

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Kerr'

Summary: The trees of 'Providence' have a medium to strong vigour while those of 'Kerr' have weak vigour. The shoot of 'Providence' is red brown while the shoot of 'Kerr' is brown green. The petiole of 'Providence' is longer than that of 'Kerr'. The leaf blade of 'Providence' is larger than that of 'Kerr'. The upper side of the leaf blade of 'Providence' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Kerr' has none. At the balloon stage, the unopened flower of 'Providence' is medium pink while it is white for 'Kerr'. The flower of 'Providence' is flat and larger in diameter than that of 'Kerr', which is deep cup shaped. The marginal, middle zone and outer side of the flower petal of 'Providence' are purple red while they are white for 'Kerr'. The fruit stalk of 'Providence' is long while that of 'Kerr' is short. The fruit of 'Providence' is ellipsoid conical whereas the fruit of 'Kerr' is globose. The fruit of 'Providence' has predominantly dark red skin and red flesh whereas the fruit of 'Kerr' has purple skin and white flesh.

Description:

TREE: medium to strong vigour, spreading growth habit, many fruit
ONE-YEAR-OLD SHOOT: red brown on outer side, umbellate inflorescence type

LEAF BLADE: reddish green when expanding, medium length to width ratio, no lobing, crenate type incisions of margin, mainly red before leaf fall
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium green, medium glossiness, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWER: single type, medium pink on outer side at balloon stage, flat, overlapping petal arrangement
PETAL: ovate shape excluding claw, non prominent veins, purple red (RHS 59D) on marginal and middle zone of inner side, white (RHS NN155D) on basal zone of inner side, purple red (RHS 59D) on outer side

FRUIT STALK: long
FRUIT: small, ellipsoid conical (ovoid) shape, calyx always present, long stalk, medium persistence
FRUIT SKIN: no bloom or glossiness, predominantly dark red
FRUIT FLESH: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Providence' originated from an open pollinated cross conducted in 2000 between the female parent variety 'Empire' and an unknown male parent. It was bred and developed by Professor John Cline at the Horticultural Experiment Station in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. The resulting seeds were germinated in 2001 and transplanted in an orchard in 2002. One resulting seedling of 'Providence' was selected for its fruit qualities such as showy bloom, and large fruit with red flesh. The selected seedling was propagated onto clonal M.26 rootstock for further evaluation. Trees were then planted in 2007 in replicated and randomized fashion of two trees per plot with other crab apple selections as well as the reference cultivars for further evaluation in 2007.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Providence' were conducted from 2014 to 2017 at the University of Guelph Simcoe Research Station located at Simcoe, Ontario. The trials consisted of 7 trees of 'Providence', grown on M.26 rootstock, and 5 trees of 'Kerr', grown on Bud.9 rootstock. In 2014, the trees were planted in 86 metre length rows, with 4.5 metre spacing between rows and 2 metres between trees. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Providence' with reference variety 'Kerr'

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Colour of flower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Crab Apple: 'Providence' (left) with reference variety 'Kerr' (right)