Identification
With 80+ different apple varieties from Gloucestershire alone, and over 2,500 from the UK (out of a worldwide total of c. 5,000), identification of fruit cultivars can be challenging, often only possible when there is mature fruit on the trees – and even then it can be problematic.
If you are hoping to identify the cultivar of a particular apple or pear tree then we suggest you consider using the resources outlined below. When doing so, we suggest you follow these guidelines, which help to narrow down the possibilities;
- Use between 3 – 6 specimens, with the fruit being typical of the cultivar, or showing typical variability;
- Do not include king fruit that form in the centre of the truss, as they are usually larger, mature earlier and often have thicker and shorter stalks;
- Leaves can be useful, but not essential;
- Send ripe or just under-ripe fruit, certainly not any already showing signs of decay;
- Give your opinion as to whether the fruit is an eater, cooker, or used to make cider or perry;
- An indication when the fruit ripens;
- An indication of the age of the tree (newer varieties such as Saturn or Scrumptions won’t be growing on a 50 year old tree, Braeburn, Crispin or Gala won’t be growing on a 100 year old tree);
- An indication as to whether the tree blossoms earlier or later than most other varieties in your location.
fruit ID
Fruit ID is a project for pomologists, orchardists and fruit enthusiasts. It is an encyclopaedia of cultivars as well as a tool to assist the identification of unfamiliar varieties. Fruit ID is a volunteer community project that is free for anyone to use. Samples from reference collections are used to provide high quality, zoomable images and searchable characteristics whilst heritage and cultivation descriptions are added from the literature and the expertise of the Fruit ID team. It’s a remarkable reservoir of information and an outstanding example of citizen science; click on the button below to visit the site.
Marcher Apple Network
Another excellent place to start an identification process, the Marcher Apple Network (MAN) has a team of experts who provide an identification service for apples, for which they do charge a modest fee and require you to submit a form. Full details are available on their website – click on the button below.
Brogdale Collection
Brogdale is home to the National Fruit Collection and they also offer an identification service, for which they charge a fee and also require a form to be completed. For full details click on the button below.
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
The Trust has access to and connections with various organisations that conduct DNA analysis and helps organise the submission of samples. For more information about how we can help please send an email to info@glosorchards.org with information about the fruit you’d like identified, a summary of its characteristics, its location and its significance to you.
Hartpury Heritage Trust
The Malvern Autumn Show, held in late September at the Three Counties Showground WR13 6NW, is as good a place to identify a perry pear as any, either by comparing your fruit with the pears on display, or by seeking the expert advice of the people manning the Hartpury Heritage Trust’s stand at the show. It’s advisable to make an appointment in advance, to ensure the relevant expertise is on hand.
Day’s Cottage
Day’s Cottage offer a fruit identification service on their Apple Days, held at their orchard in Brookthorpe, Gloucestershire GL4 0UT. For details about these events please visit their website.
Your Own Book Research
If you’re thinking of doing your own research the following books are useful resources, foremost of which is, of course, the Gloucestershire Pomona Series, written by Charles Martell, available from our online shop.
- Thomas Arthur Knight – Pomona Herefordiensis
- Robert Hogg – Fruit Manual
- Robert Hogg and Henry Graves Bull – Herefordshire Pomona
- George Bunyard – “A Hand Book of Hardy Fruits Vol 1: Apples and Pears“
- H.V. Taylor – The Apples of England
- Muriel W. G. Smith – National Apple Register of the United Kingdom
- John Bultitude – “Apples: A Guide to the Identification of International Varieties”
- Joan Morgan – Book of Apples
- Rosie Sanders – The Apple Book
- Martin Crawford – Directory of Apple Cultivars
- Welsh Marches Pomona – Michael Porter
- Michael Clark – Apples: A Field Guide
- Jim Arbury – Pears
- Joan Morgan – Book of Pears