Can You Name This Apple Tree...?

[68lbs]

Hi All

I inherited a few fruit trees with my allotment including this gnarly old apple. Is there any chance that it can be identified from the images? Presuming it's a cooker...?

I've attached some pics below and my hand to try and give a sense of scale. I have quite big hands!

Ta

[Guest]

If anyone can help it will be FB but I am sure he would need more picks of both the tree and the fruit. Also cut open the fruit (both sideways and top-bottom). Failing that you should take them to an apple day that will be coming up sept/oct time. Also is there a reason you think it is a cooker?

[68lbs]

Also is there a reason you think it is a cooker?

The apples remind me of a cooker... Not sure if this makes sense, but they sort of sound hollow when you tap them. I've never eaten a desert Apple that is like that. As you can probably tell, I'm no expert though.

Would it be worth picking one now and cutting open to aid id?

Or is it too early?

And talking of which... I haven't the foggiest when I should pick them!

[Guest]

Yes cut them now and take pics. Something is better than nothing, I have included a link as an idea Search NFC. As for ripeness it is trial and error. If they come of the tree easily they should be good. You could go through the site I have linked and see if anything fits.

You can send them brogdale to be id'd as anything on here is only a stab at the variety.

[happyhumph]

How about Fred? (Sorry!)

All the ideas mentioned above are good.

[68lbs]

How about Fred?

...and it only took 5 posts.

You can send them brogdale to be id'd as anything on here is only a stab at the variety.

Off to do some reading... And googling, whilst watching the women's hockey.

I'll try and get some pics up over the weekend.

Thanks

[yummersetter]

Doesn't look like any of my cooking apples. If the pips aren't brown the apple isn't ripe. Some of the best dessert apples develop their flavour weeks after they're picked so if they're not tasting good by mid October store several and try one a week.

[FB.]

Every tiny bit of information you can offer will be necessary to identify a random tree.

Is it grafted or is it a seedling?
How old is it?
How big is it?
How big is it relative to any other mature apple trees nearby?
When does it flower?
What do the flowers look like?
Tip bearing? Spur bearing? Both?
When are the apples ripe? (pips should be brown)
Do they store for any length of time?

All I can see from the pictures are the large dark leaves which make me suspect it's a triploid, although I think there are many varieties which we currently consider to be diploid which, if/when their DNA is examined, will be found to be triploid.

Having said all the above, I would make a probably hopelessly wrong guess at 'Arthur Turner'.

However, even if someone says they are 100% certain it's a particular variety, I suggest you be very wary because although you're desperate for a name, it's actually extremely hard for even the best apple experts to confidently identify a variety because there are thousands of varieties - some very rare - and thousands of trees grown from pips and only one tree of that type exists.

[FB.]

National Fruit Collection:
Search NFC

My reasoning for 'Arthur Turner' is: the 'lumpy' bottom of the apples, the speckling of fine russet all over the skin, the pink sunny side and the season of September-November.
Arthur Turner is also noted for attractive blossom, which is very common among triploids (I said your leaf pictures resemble a triploid).
AT is also considered to be vigorous and suitable for cooler/duller Northern areas (explaining why it might have survived without care).

[68lbs]

Thanks FB this is fascinating stuff...

I feel it could take some time to identify but I'll start recording all the info you suggest... Have to wait a while for blossom pics!

Did I mention I have another unknown apple tree and a plum

[boundtothesoil]

I agree with FB - looks like Arthur Turner. As far as other early cookers go, definitely not Emneth Early or Grenadier.

[68lbs]

Now with more pics...

Sorry it's taken me so long, but here are some more images if these are of any help, or change opinions...