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We had a very old Baldwin apple tree (more than 100 years old) that finally fell down last year. It now seems to be developing sprouts from the roots. My question is: since this is a very old tree, how likely is it to have been grafted on to a non-Baldwin rootstock?
If that is the case then the sprouts will not bear Baldwin apples. All the Baldwin apple trees now for sale are grafted on to other rootstocks but I don't know when this became the standard practice.
The Baldwin apple is likely to be grafted (early 1900s). As b.nota commented the practice of grafting is very old. Also, back then popular varieties were greatly prized which increases the chances of graft established trees. The cultivar itself has been around since the 1700s, so about 300 years. A couple of links below give some history. You could establish the root sprouts to see, possibly comparison of the vegetative tree growth (shape/habit/vigor/leaves etc. - especially the flowers) might yield some early clues about the rootstock being Baldwin or not.
https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/the_apple_in_north_america
