A thorny, very large-fruited, fine-flavored blackberry. Origin: Univ. of Maryland at College Park by S. Kristine Naess as part of her Ph.D. research under the direction of Harry Jan Swartz. R. cuneifolius selection Crisfield × Shawnee; cross made in 1993; seed was germinated in vitro in 1994; selected in 1996; tested as NSKNA-1. USPP 13, 878; 17 June 2003; the Universities of Maryland, Rutgers, and Wisconsin-River Falls and Virginia Polytechnic Institute Cooperative Bramble Breeding Program. Tree: erect to slightly arching, moderately branched and vigorous canes with numerous large, somewhat recurved thorns; canes not hardy above southern Pennsylvania (or temperatures below –20 °C). No orange rust (Gymnoconia nitens) has yet to be observed on Chesapeake, however, some was observed on its siblings; propagules have been produced “true-to-type” from tissue culture, single-node cuttings, and root suckers. Fruit: very large, with primary fruit 15 g; shape long; low acidity and high sweetness, even at the glossy-ripe stage; seed size medium to large and seed set is usually excellent; juicy and firm, although not as firm as Chester Thornless and Hull Thornless; ripens late, near Chester Thornless season.
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