I don't think you can beat a Yellow Transparent, when it comes to pie. My old tree, which we originally rescued in a very sad state from my mother's driveway widening project and transplanted to our property, developed into a prolific producer for many years, despite its rough beginnings and none to ideal location here. Sadly, the tree eventually succumbed when a backhoe accidentally took a large swipe out of it.      

The Transparent is a very early apple, not a good keeper and bruises easily. Now I'm even grateful for any bruised windfalls full of wasps that I can come across. I just peel them, slice off the brown parts and put them up in freezer.

Recently, we have had trouble with bears pushing over our remaining two apple trees and I've given up and let them go to it. But if they had done the same to our Transparent, I'd have probably fought them for the treasure. Best pie in the world.