Mystery Apple

[FB.]

Pics attached.

Fruits are ripening now and look to have been ripening for a few days, so early August.

Coins are 2p (one inch diameter - 25mm) for scaling.
Fruits therefore about 65mm (2.5 inches).

Some russeting and cracking of the skin near the stalk.

Tree is estimated at 20-25 years old and is very unlikely to be more than 30 years old.

[Kleftiwallah]

I'll start the ball rolling with either 'Sunset or Arthur Turner'. There is bound to be an 'apple day' somewhere within staggering distance of your domicile so take it there along with a twig and leaf to help the experts.

Cheers, Tony.

[veggiechicken]

I think the question is - Does FB know what the apple is and is testing us? Or doesn't he!
If FB knows then I think its Discovery or Beauty of Bath. Otherwise, I haven't the foggiest!!

[Kleftiwallah]

I'll drink to that.

Cheers, Tony.

[FB.]

I think the question is - Does FB know what the apple is and is testing us? Or doesn't he!
If FB knows then I think its Discovery or Beauty of Bath. Otherwise, I haven't the foggiest!!

Hi Veggiechicken.

Think of it as a bit of fun at the moment.

Say what you think it is - and if you can explan why you think it's a certain variety, that would be even better.

I've given quite a bit of evidence which may be helpful, but ask further questions about the apples or the tree they came from, if it helps.

Don't worry about what I think, or whether I know or not - I'm interested to read what people think it is.

Cheers,
F

[veggiechicken]

OK, FB.
I'm sticking with Beauty of Bath or Discovery. They're both early apples, August ripening and seem to have similar flat round shapes. The russetting bit sways me towards Beauty of Bath. It also looks familiar and I'm sure I have a Beauty of Bath here - but there are so few apples on any of the trees that I can't compare.
However, if there is a clue in the age of the tree, and it being about 25-30 years old, no more, then I would favour Discovery. I believe BofB may be a parent of Discovery?

[FB.]

The estimated age of a tree can provide clues as to its identity, by guessing what was being sold in the shops and markets, and being promoted for gardens in the time period when the tree was planted.

The tree in question can't be more than 30 years old because the area where it is planted was levelled and redeveloped in the late 1980's.
But the tree the fruit came from is very large for its age - similar vigour to the surviving 50+year-old Bramley trees in this area, and on a par with the 20-30-year-old M25-rootstocked full-standard (5-6ft trunk) John Downie crabs planted as specimen trees in front gardens nearby at the time of the redevelopment.

As you say: Discovery is thought to be a Worcester Pearmain seedling, with Beauty of Bath being the pollinator.

[FB.]

Oh....and the tree appears to be virtually free from disease.

The diseases usually present in this area, and their prevalence is:

Powdery mildew: very high
Woolly aphid: high
Scab: moderate
Canker: moderate


I could see no trace of powdery mildew on the tree, and no obvious woolly aphids or canker. There were occasional scab spots on a few leaves and fruits, but this year has been the wettest on record and scab is running riot on some people's trees this year - including making a serious mess of the John Downie's - they've now lost about half of their leaves, with half of the remainder looking quite diseased.

[veggiechicken]

I doubt that Beauty of Bath was being promoted 30 years ago - so Discovery?

Are the apples scented?

[FB.]

I doubt that Beauty of Bath was being promoted 30 years ago - so Discovery?

I'll take Discovery as your final answer. You can't change your mind now.

I'd like a few more opinions before I say what I think it is (based on myself and orangepippin bickering like an old married couple in the last couple of days )

[FB.]

Are the apples scented?

Yes.

They have a fruity, slightly sharp scent which is fairly easily noticeable on the orange-red coloured side.
Not much scent on the green-yellow side.

Last chance to change your answer!

[veggiechicken]

Discovery aren't scented! Beauty of Bath is my answer!!!

[Jeanied]

No apple expert here but they look like the Discovery on the plot next to mine

[FB.]

Discovery aren't scented! Beauty of Bath is my answer!!!

The tree looks like its past or present owners (if anyone actually lays claim to the beast!) haven't a clue on how to grow and prune it; it has grown with a shape more like a coppiced hazel, with long, reaching, open branches.
Big tree for its age though, so either a very vigorous variety or on a very vigorous rootstock.

But would an apple numpty have chosen to plant a Beauty of Bath around 1990, especially considering how quite a few catalogues and books talk-down the premature-fruit-dropping and other problems of BoB?

[veggiechicken]

But you don't know who the owners were when it was planted. They may have moved on after a year.
Does this one drop its fruit prematurely?