What we were calling the Chipeta tree was recently identified by a genetic test as Niedzwetzkyana (named for a Russian amateur botanist). One theory is a Niels Hansen obtainted this crab cultivar from a trip to the Ili Valley what is now knowns as Kazakhstan. The apple is small in size, oblong and the skin deep red with tinged red flesh. Ripens in October.
 
More importantly this special apple can be found at Chipeta's crypt at the Ute Indian Museum (original homestead of Chief Ouray & Chipeta) near Montrose. Chipeta or White Singing Bird was a Ute woman known for her intelligence, judgment, empathy, bravery, and quiet strength, all of which made her the only woman of her time allowed on the Ute council. She was the second wife of Chief Ouray of the Uncompahgre Ute tribe. Born a Kiowa Apache, she was raised by the Utes in what is now Conejos, Colorado. An advisor and confidant of her husband, Chipeta continued as a leader of her people after his death in 1880. We will donate $25 per Chipeta Tree to the Ute Museum.