Apple or Quince?

**Mikey** · 02-10-2013, 10:39 AM

Tough call, first glance I'd say apple, but the irregular shaped fruit and the pear like tendancies of the bottom left image would lean me towards a quince/pear. Can't help you VC, but I'm sure someone might.

**FB.** · 02-10-2013, 11:19 AM

I would say apple.
Judging by the huge leaves I would be wondering if it's triploid and by the "cosmetically challenged" look of the fruit it's probably quite an old variety (or a seedling from one).

**FB.** · 02-10-2013, 11:21 AM

The bark is a bit smooth and uniform in colour for quince.
The leaves look a bit too serrated round the edges for quince.

**orangepippin** · 02-10-2013, 01:45 PM

I also think apple. The leaves don't look like quince leaves. Also if it tastes like an apple that would be pretty good evidence!

**veggiechicken** · 02-10-2013, 01:48 PM

Thank you gentlemen

The tree was probably planted about 1940 along with the others in this old orchard.
Any suggestions as to what variety it could be?

**dandalady** · 02-10-2013, 01:50 PM

my quinces look like your fruit but the leaves are definitely not serrated so I would go with apple

**Paulieb** · 02-10-2013, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

Thank you gentlemen

The tree was probably planted about 1940 along with the others in this old orchard.
Any suggestions as to what variety it could be?

As I recently bought 'The Apple Book' I though I'd take on the challenge of having a go at identifying this apple. Over 150 varieties in this book.

As I'm a complete novice when it comes to apple identification take my thoughts with a barrow load of salt!!

After a quick browse the closest I've come to a match are Norfolk Beauty, Lord Derby or Keswick Codlin, and for various reasons I can quite confidently discount each one.

Norfolk Beauty (cooking apple, spreading tree)
Lord Derby (cooking apple with a short stout stalk and medium leaves!)
Keswick Codlin (cooking apple with a short stout stalk and small leaves, picking time late August!)

Obviously without having any information for further checking, if it were my tree I'd probably assume it was a seedling.

**Remember this is my first ever identification!!!**

**zazen999** · 02-10-2013, 07:54 PM

Asian pear.

**veggiechicken** · 02-10-2013, 08:06 PM

Thanks Paul for taking on the challenge

I have The Apple Book too and looked at that first but couldn't identify this apple. I have an apple that has been identified as Keswick Codlin and its not this one!!
This one has a very strong aroma, just like a japonica quince, and that's what made me question what it was. I have one beside me, and keep sniffing it, to me, its how fruit should smell

I don't think its a seedling as it has been planted as part of the row - although there are so many missing trees now that the pattern is no longer easy to make out.

**zazen999** · 02-10-2013, 09:47 PM

*coughs

It's an Asian Pear.

**veggiechicken** · 02-10-2013, 09:58 PM

Coughs back

All the images I've seen show them as perfectly shaped - not all chunky and deformed like these. Also, have Asian pears been grown here for 70 years (30 years that I know of)?

**zazen999** · 02-10-2013, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

Coughs back

All the images I've seen show them as perfectly shaped - not all chunky and deformed like these. Also, have Asian pears been grown here for 70 years (30 years that I know of)?

I think it's an Asian Pear with disease. We have several at Ryton, without disease, and the leaves and shapes are very similar. And they smell fragrant, almost like a quince but not as strong, and are crisp, slightly sharp but very juicy when eaten. And are ripe right about now.

**veggiechicken** · 02-10-2013, 10:08 PM

Thanks Zaz - very interesting

I've never seen an Asian pear tree - only seen the fruit for sale. Wonder what disease would make them such odd shapes? They've been like this as long as I can remember!

**FB.** · 03-10-2013, 06:41 AM

Shouldn't Asian pears have non-serrated edges, less prominent veins and a smoother/glossier look to the leaves?

Announcement

Apple or Quince?

Apple or Quince?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Latest Topics

Recent Blog Posts