Orchard Network

Asking The Experts

 

Finding An Expert

Most fruit identification is carried out by only a handful of specialists who have accumulated a wealth of knowledge over a life time of experience and interest. Your Local Orchard Group is the best place to start for finding the right contacts in your area.

Local Orchard Groups - find an orchard group near you

 

Apple Days

There is often an expert available at Apple Days for fruit identification.

Common Ground - for listings of Apple Days

 

Sending Samples by Post

Brogdale - Brogdale Farm is home to the National Fruit Collection. They offer an identification service by post and also an advice/information hotline

The RHS Garden, Wisley - also provide a fruit naming service

 

 

DIY

 

Courses

If you are interested in learning some identification skills for yourself, there are a small number of fruit identification workshops available through Local Orchard Groups. Both the Gloucestershire orchard group and the East of England Apples and Orchards Project have previously run courses, so keep an eye out for future events.

The National Orchard Forum - umbrella organisation for local orchard groups

East of England Apples & Orchards Project

Gloucestershire Orchard Group

 

Books

The new Book Of Apples (2002) Joan Morgan & Alison Richards, Edbury press ISBN: 978-0091883980

Apples: A Field Guide (2003) Michael Clark, Whittet Books ISBN: 978-1873580578

A Somerset Pomona (2001), Liz Copas, Dovecote Press, ISBN: 978-1874336877

Pears (1998), Jim Arbury & Sally Pinhey, Wells & Winter ISBN: 978-0953213603

 

Online

Gloucestershire Orchard Group - has excellent information on fruit identification, including two downloadable keys (not specific to Gloucestershire)

Devon Apples - identification of Devonshire apples

Fruit Forum - includes a blog for discussing all things fruit related

Somerset County Council - provides a guide to the apple varieties of Somerset

Orange Pippin - includes a discussion forum for varieties

Yellow Egg - Information on plums, damsons, gages and other plum fruits

 

Image: NTPL/Ian Shaw