Lost Apple Project

At one time, there were approximately 17,000 named varieties of domesticated apples in the United States, but only about 4,500 are known to exist today.

[2][3] Brandt and Benscoter rely on old county fair records, newspaper clippings, and nursery sales ledgers, as well as tips from people, to find likely places to search for old trees.

[4] They collect apple specimens in the fall, then return in the winter to gather wood cuttings (scions) for grafting.

[2] The project's searches focus on eastern Washington, western Idaho, and northern Oregon.

[7] Some of the lost apple varieties that the project has found in Washington and Idaho include the Streaked Pippin, the Sary Sinap, and the Nero.