Here at the Gloucestershire Orchard Group, we hope you will appreciate that we have little manpower for identification at present and we get scores of enquiries each year. However, we do offer an annual apple id workshop with Richard Toft of Pershore/Warwickshire College, based on "identification keys" by Bultitude (see Publications page for this and other useful aids).
You can also speak to GOG chairman Dave Kaspar, who recognizes many varieties because of his experience of comparing them for his juicing business (01452 813602). Dave sells at Bristol and most Stroud farmers markets or you can leave labelled samples with GOG representatives at various apple day events in October (especially Gloucester farmers market).
Come along to our annual GOG Apple Day at the Rural Skills Orchard Centre in October and chat with Dave Kaspar then.
Charles Martell is not able to offer an identification service, unless for specific reasons (contact us for information).
Identification keys for apples
You can download two basic keys to identify commonly grown apples in the UK.
These have been provided by Simon Clark of the National Orchard Forum and Northern Fruit Group who welcomes feedback from users. Contact him on 0113 266 3235 (with answer phone) or simonclark49@tiscali.co.uk.
Identification services
You will need to make contact before sending in samples as there is normally a charge and specific instructions:
Marcher Apple Network
Sheila Leitch: 01497 847354
Brogdale Horticultural Trust
Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ
01795 535286
Royal Horticultural Society
Especially plums by expert Jim Arbury and team.
Wisley Gardens, Surrey GU23 6QB
01483 224234
Richard Toft
Pershore/Warwickshire College, Avonbank, Worcestershire WR10 3JP
01386 552443
John Edgeley
Now retired from Pershore College and freelance - happy to consider any fruit topics whether it is training courses, talks, orchard management or fruit identification.
Email: john.edgeley@btopenworld.com Home Tel: 01386 462725 Mobile Tel: 07885 149500
Perry pear identification
Malvern Autumn Show and Dyrham Park (near Bath) every September/October; bring your samples to compare with Jim Chapman and Charles Martell’s extensive display.
Summer 2010: Jim Chapman will offer an identification service (small fee) at Hartpury Perry Pear Orchard Centre jjrchapman@btinternet.com www.tasteandexplore.com In time, there will be perry pear identification couses and more comprehensive colour field guides to add to the existing very useful Perry Pears book by Luckwill & Pollard, 1964 based on Ray Williams extensive research at Long Ashton Research Station (book obtainable from Vigo Ltd for about £25).
Plum/damson identifcation
Try RHS Wisley (see above comments), John Edgeley, Richard Toft or contact us as we may be able to put you in touch with various plum growers/researchers at Bristol, Westbury-on-Severn (Ben Swinley www.weloveplums.com) and East of England Apples & Orchard Project (including also gages & bullaces). There is also a Huntingdonshire Plum Festival - coordinator Rosemary Hoskins www.pickofthecrop.org.uk ecologie@aol.com
Walcot Organic Nursery sells a range of plum trees, near Pershore and have close links with Pershore Plum Day and Pershore (Warwickshire) College.
Advice for all tree fruits
- Send at least three specimens of each cultivar (variety). The specimens should be typical of the cultivar, neither bruised nor imperfect, and should have reached maturity, showing characteristic size and colour.
- If possible, a sample of young shoot with foliage.
- Give as many details as possible, eg the soil, age of the tree, how regularly it crops, its habit (photo helpful), and the source of supply if known.
- An s.a.e. for the reply.
If a tree is known to have been raised from a pip, it is a new and therefore nameless cultivar and its fruit should not be sent for identification.
Number each sample and keep a record of the tree, bush or plant from which it was taken, as fruit cannot be returned. Apples and pears are best numbered in biro or marking ink on the skin. Plums and soft fruit should be securely packed in separate, clearly numbered bags. Do not use stick-on labels as they are liable to become loose in the post.
Pack in newspaper, polystyrene granules or similar material, in a strong box that will not be crushed in the post, and mark the wrapper "FRUIT NAMING". Do not use a box that has contained, for example, soap, as the smell masks the characteristic flavour of the fruit.
