Old apple trees like this one are scattered about the rural areas here. They are typically remnants of the small farms that dotted the Island following settlement by European immigrants. I always sample the apples when I have a chance. They are usually hard, not juicy and astringent even when ripe, much different that apples from the store but the deer like them just the same. They are not full of worms even though the trees are not cared for. My guess is that they keep well without refrigeration and were used for cooking.