Hose Community Orchard

The Fruit Trees


Bess Pool

Late Dessert Apple

Bess Pool discovered this apple in Nottingham in 1824. This is a very late flowering apple and so avoids frosts. It may be picked in October and will keep until February. It is a tip-bearer and has a broad spreading habit. The fruit is almost dull crimson, with some russetting and short, broad dark red stripes. The flesh is greenish, coarse and rather dry and the skin becomes waxey in store.

This example was purchased from Deacons on an M25 stock as one-year old whip and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Arthur Peeks.

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Newton Wonder

Late Cooking Apple

This is a cross between Dunmow's Seedling and Blenheim Orange. It is a hardy and prolific tree, with an upright growth. The apples have a yellow skin with red stripes, and may be used between December & March, at which time is can be used as a dessert apple.

This example was purchased from Deacons on an M25 stock as one-year old whip and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Jackie Dunn.

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Fiesta

Late Dessert Apple

Fergus & Fiesta

This cross between Cox & Ida Red was produced by East Malling Research Institute, and is also known as Red Pippin. The tree is rather pendulous, is partially self-fertile and crops heavily. It tastes similar to a Cox but stores better and may be crisper in texture. It can be picked in late September or later and will store until April.

This example was purchased from Deacons on an M25 stock as one-year old whip and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Fergus Smith.

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Fergus planting the Fiesta

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Barnack Beauty

Late Dessert Apple

The tree was discovered in Lincolnshire in 1840. The tree is very hardy and crops heavily and late. The fruit can be used between December & March. It has a sharp taste and flushed colour.

This example was purchased from Thornhayes Nursery on an MM106 stock as feathered maiden and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Lydia Bell.

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Purple Pershore

Early Cooking Plum

The Purple Pershore Plum comes from Worcestershire. The tree is vigorous, upright & disease-resistant, as well as self-fertile. The fruit is oval and has a bloom, with firm, dry flesh. It should be ready to use by mid-August and is excellent for jam.

This example was purchased from Keepers Nursery on an St. Julien A Half-standard stock as first-year maiden and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Matthew Mumford.

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Cambridge Gage

Early Dessert Gage (Plum)

This semi-self-fertile, prolific tree has fruit with a classic greengage flavour & which should be ready to eat by early September.

This example was purchased from Thornhayes Nursery on an St. Julien stock as a maiden and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Gaye Keevil.

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Marjories Seedling

Cooking/late dessert Plum

This vigorous upright tree produces huge juicy, black plums, which stay on the tree until November. At this stage they are delicious as dessert fruit. It is sometimes known as Martins Seedling.

This example was purchased from Thornhayes Nursery on an St. Julien stock as a maiden and was planted in 2001.

It was sponsored by Rosie Capriles.

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Schoolmaster

Late Cooking Apple

This variety originated from Lincolnshire in 1855. The fruit is described as green & sub-acid. It is ready to eat between November & January.

The tree planted in 2001 as a feathered maiden on a MM106 rootstock from Keepers Nursery.

It is sponsored by Alan & Jenny Russell - both school-teachers to the core!

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Edward VII

Late Cooking Apple

Edward & Edward VII

This apple results from a cross between Blenheim Orange & Golden Noble made in Worcestershire in 1902. The compact tree is reputed to be resistant to scab and survives northern climates.

The acid fruit is yellow/green but turns red on cooking. This example was purchased as a 1yr whip on a M25 stock from Deacons Nursery in 2001.

The sponsor was EDWARD Dodson.

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Edward planting the Edward VII

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Allington Pippin

Cooker/late dessert Apple

The tree was purchased in 2001 from Deacons Nursery on a M25 stock as a 1yr whip. They describe the tree as having slender arching branches. It results from a cross between Cox and King of the Pippins.

The large, pale greenish-yellow fruit are very prolific. The taste is somewhat sharp but has an excellent flavour.

The sponsor is Philippa Chilcott. Allington is a local family name and the village of Allington is only 12 miles away.

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Dumelows Seedling

Late Cooking Apple

An apple raised at Shackerstone, near Ashby, by the farmer Richard Dumeller in the late 1700s and is often known as Dummelor's seedling. The fruit is large and flat, pale yellow with an orange mottling. It should be picked in early October & should keep until Spring. Cooks to well-flavoured, juicy purée; retains acidity to spring. Good, regular crops, but fruit can be small for a cooker.

This 1 year old whip was grafted onto an M25 rootstock by Deacons & planted in 2001.

The sponsor is Chris Turnbull.

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Oullins Golden Gage

Dessert Plum

This tree is not a true gage (apparently) but is a golden-yellow plum: perhaps a nice distinction! It is frost resistant because it is late-flowering and is grafted onto St Julian A 1/2 standard stock to give a restricted size. Supplied by Keepers Nursery in 2001.

Sponsored by Kim Cheetham

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Dennistons Superb Gage

Dessert Plum

This tree of US origin is not a true gage (apparently) but is a yellow plum: most people will just enjoy them! Supplied by Thornhayes Nursery on a St Julien maiden rootstock, this is a hardy & reliable variety and has rich succulent flavour.

Sponsored by the Grace Family

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Pershore Yellow Egg

Cooking Plum

The tree was supplied by Bowers Nursery on St Julien rootstock as a feathered maiden. The variety is very hardy & disease resistant. The yellow fruit should be ready for picking by late August and makes excellent jam, although the fruit is rather dry.

Sponsored by Naomi Chilcott.

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Northern Greening

Late Cooking Apple

Originating in 1802, theis specimen was bought as on a MM106 rootstock as a feathered maiden from Keepers Nursery. The flushed, acid fruit should be used after December.

It was sponsored by Nita Russell

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Bramley Seedling

Late Cooking Apple

A every schoolboy knows, the Bramley was developed by Merryweathers Nursery of Southwell, Nottingham. It is probably the best-known cooking apple available. This tree was bought from Deacons Nursery on a M25 rootstock as a 1yr whip. The large green fruit will keep until March.

It was sponsored by Sue Mackley.

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Belvoir Seedling

Late Dessert Apple

Clearly of local origin, this apple was developed in 1935. The tree was purchased as a feathered maiden from Keepers Nursery, who specially grafted a scion obtained from The Brogdale Trust onto a MM106 stock. The flushed, acid fruit is best eaten after November & should keep until Spring.

The tree was sponsored by the Isam Family

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Herrings Pippin

Late Dessert Apple

Raised by Pearson's in Lowdham, Nottinghmshire, only 15 miles from our orchard. Deacons Nursery provided the tree on an M25 rootstock as a 1yr whip. This apple has a spicey, aromatic flavour; it should be picked in September and should keep until November.

Sponsored by Ollie Luckhurst.

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Laxton Epicure

Early Dessert Apple

Originating in 1909 from Bedfordshire, this small tree is hardy, pest & frost-resistant, as well as a heavy cropper. It was purchased from Deacons Nursery on a M25 rootstock as a 1yr whip. The juicy, sweet fruit should be eaten off the tree.

The specimen was sponsored by Rita Pearson (Allen family)

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Langley Bullace

Cooking Damson

This bullace (or damson) has huge black fruit and is ready by October. It was supplied by Keepers Nursery on a St Julian A 1/2 standard rootstock.

Sponsored by Rowena Baggaley.

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Victoria

Dessert Plum

Surely the best-known of all plums, it originated in Sussex. This was grafted onto a St Julien stock and supplied by Thornhayes Nursery as a feathered maiden. It is a sreliable cropper, & the red fruit is usually ready by late August and can be used for both culinary and dessert purposes.

Sponsored by Marlene & Eddie Stevens

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Flower of Kent

Late Cooking Apple

Ian & Isaac Newton

The Flower of Kent originated in 1629 (otherwise known as the Isaac Newton Tree) was supposed to be the tree that gave him the 'Eureka' moment at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire (which is only 20 miles from here). It is therfore probably the second most famous apple in the world? This one was bought from Deacons Nursery in 2001 on a M25 stock as a 1yr whip.

The fruit is large & silvery green. It is best picked in October & will keep until January.

Sponsored by Ian Smith. (Note to the reader: I managed to sponsor this tree myself, despite strong competition, because I have worked on Gravity for my career & published the definitive Gravity Map of the British Isles. I just wish that a dessert apple had fallen on Isaac's head.)

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Ian planting the Isaac Newton Tree

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James Grieve

Mid-season Dessert/Cooking Apple

Because of its origins in Scotland, this apple does well in the colder parts. Deacons provided this example on an M25 stock as a 1yr whip. The fruit is sharp with a good flavour and can be used as a cooker. It should be picked by September.

Sponsored by Julia & Ian Hawley

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Annie Elisabeth

Late Cooking Apple

This tree, originating in Leicestershire in 1857, was purchased from Deacons Nursery as a 1yr whip on an M25 rootstock. It is described as hardy, vigorous & upright. The fruit is large & golden, with a red sunny side, and can be used from November. It keeps excellently, has a sweet, crisp texture and cooks well.

It was sponsored by the Casey Family.

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Lord Burghley

Dessert Apple

Originating from Northamptonshire in 1834, we bought this example from Deacons in 2001, as a 1yr whip on a M25 rootstock. The apple is greenish-brown, with dots of russet. Picked in October, this aromatic apple should keep until the Spring.

Isaac Bell sponsored this tree.

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Bradleys King

Cooking Damson

This damson originated in Nottinghamshire. It was supplied by Keepers Nursery on a St Julian A 1/2 standard stock. The purple fruit should be ready by mid-September.

Sponsored by the Pears Family

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Syston White

Mid-season Dessert Plum

This local variety was supplied by Thornhayes Nursery on a St Julien rootstock maiden. The fruit is very sweet & should be eaten in late August.

Sponsored by Rosie & Harry Thomas.

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Merryweather

Cooking Damson

Terry & Merry

Bred by Merryweathers of Southwell, this hardy, spreading tree was supplied by Thornhayes as a maiden on a St Julien maiden stock. These are the largest Damson fruits known to man, which should be ripe by September.

Sponsored by Terry Graveney.

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Terry planting the Merry weather Damson

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Barnack Orange

Late Dessert Apple

This variety originated in Leicestershire in 1904. This specimen was bought from Keepers Nursery as a feathered maiden on a MM106 rootstock. The fruit is fliushed in colour; it has a sharp flavour and should be eaten between December & March

Sponsored by Oliver Mumford.

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Pigs Nose Pippin

Late Dessert Apple

The Thurleys & Pigs Nose Pippin

This was bought from Keepers Nursery as a feathered maiden on a MM106 rootstock in 2001. It originated from Herefordshire in 1884. The fruit has a flushed appearance and is very sweet. It is best kept until November.

Sponsored by Paddy & Alan Thurley (who couldn't resist the name)

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Paddy & Alan plant the Pigs Nose Pippin

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Discovery

Early Dessert Apple

Although originating from Essex in 1949, this apple is frost & disease resistant. It is a cross between Beauty of Bath & Worcester Pearmain. The tree was obtained from Deacons Nursery as 1yr whip on an M25 rootstock. The juicy red fruit are best eaten off the tree, they lose flavour if stored.

Sponsored by Shirley Jackson

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Mulberry

Morus Nigra var. King James

The Black Mulberry is a large attractive tree. This was bought from R V Roger in 2001 and first fruited in 2006. The succulent, spicey fruit are rather like raspberries; they can be used for eating or making into jam & wine. The tree can be danced around.

Sponsored by Isobel Neill-Smith

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Ellisons Orange

Early Dessert Apple

Originating in Lincolnshire in 1904, the tree is reputed to perform best on light sandy soil. However, our tree (a 1yr whip on an M25 stock from Deacons Nursery) is doing fine on our heavy clay! The tree fruits prolifically, with clean aromatic fruit, similar to a Cox but earlier. It is best eaten soon after picking (i.e scrump it!).

The tree was sponsored by David Morris

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Jargonelle

Early Dessert Pear

This hardy, ancient pear was recognised first in 1629. The tree was supplied in 2001 by Deacons Nursery on a Quince A 1/2 standard. The long, conical greenish-yellow fruit are ready to eat in August.

Sponsored by Rita & Colin Paillin.

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Conference

Late Dessert Pear

This prolific pear is partially self-fertile; it was first identified in Hertfordshire. It was purchased in 2001 from Deacons Nursery on a Quince A 1/2 standard. The long, pale-green succulent fruit should be ready to eat in late October.

Sponsored by Betty Stevens

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Quince

Cydonia oblonga var. Seibosa

This variety of small fruit tree originated in Serbia. This specimen was planted in 2001, puchased from Keepers Nursery & is grafted onto a Quince A rootstock (often used for pear-trees). It is a very pretty tree, the flowers of which are self-fertile. Jam & Marmalade can be made from the fruit.

Sponsored by Linda Hart

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Winter Quarrendon

Late Dessert Apple

This is a very ancient variety, probably related to the Devonshire Quarrendon but orignating in Nottinghamshire. Our example was purchased from Deacons nursery as a 1yr whip on a M25 rootstock. The apple is hard, red and crisp. It stores well.

The tree is dedicated to Reg Caunt, who was the last of a very long established family in Hose.

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Court Pendu Plat

Dessert Apple

This apple originated from Roman times. However, this one was brought from Deacons Nursery and planted in 2001, as a 1yr whip on an M25 rootstock. The tree is small but prolific, late flowering and scab-resistant. The rather small, dull yellow fruit should be left as long as possible on the tree, will ripen over winter and be edible until May.

Sponsored by the Gooderham Family.

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Worcester Pearmain

Early Dessert Apple

Derives (not unsurprisingly) from Worcestershire, where it resulted from a Devonshire Quarrendon cross in 1873. Our tree was purchased on a M25 rootsock as a 1yr whipfrom Deacons Nursery. The fruit is sweet & crisp and should be left on the tree to ripen but does not benefit from storing (eat off the tree!)

Keith Neill-Smith comes from Worcestershire, so laid claim to sponsor the tree.

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Winston

Late Dessert Apple

A cross betweena Cox & a Worcester, this forms a small upright tree that is disease resistant. Thsi tree was purchased from deacons Nursery and planted in 2001 as a 1yr whip on an M25 rootstock. The fruit are brightly coloured with a good sweet flavour. They can be picked very late & will keep until spring.

Sponsored by The Taylor family

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Winter Nellis

Late Cooking/dessert Pear

Devekloped in Belgium in 1818, this is graceful arching tree with good frost resistance. It was supplied by Deacons Nursery on a Quince A 1/2 standard rootstock. The small, greenish-yellow fruit should be ready to eat in December.

Sponsored by Alex Cheetham

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Concorde

Late Dessert Pear

This is a highly recommended variety from East Malling Research Institute, bred in 1977 as a cross between Conference & Comice. It was purchased from Deacons in 2001 and supplied on a Quince A 1/2 standard rootstock. The sweet, juicy fruit should be ready to eat in November.

Sponsored by the Day Family

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Red Sentinel

Crab Apple

This beautiful tree is planted at the entrance to the orchard. It was purchased in 2001 from Thornhayes Nursery.

Sponsored by Maurice & Shirley Jesson

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Medlar

Mespilus germanica var. Nottingham

The Medlar is a slow-growing, very decorative tree, related to the pear, and this one is grafted onto a pear rootstock. It was planted in 2005, replacing the original specimen because the stock took over, putting up a mass of suckers. The unusual-looking fruit should be picked in October followed by a few weeks 'bletting' (I think this means rotting!) until soft. It can then be eaten or made into jam.

Sponsored by Tom Russell

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Golden Hornet

Crab Apple

This decorative tree replaced a damaged tree in 2006. It is grafted onto a M25 rootstock.

Sponsored by David & Gina Fletcher

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Walnut

Juglans Regia var. Broadview

This tree was planted in 2004, after the original one had its terminal bud nipped out. This is a self fertile clone, which grows into a large tree: it will need watching, in case it becomes too large! The variety produces nuts at a young age.

Sponsored by Carol & Nigel Hodges.

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Hazel Nut

Corylus avellana var. Nottingham Prolific

This small tree was planted in 2001 and ws purchased from Allgrove Nursery. It produces abundant crops of small to medium round nuts of good flavour.

This specimen was planted in memory of Wilf Isam

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Improved Fertility

Dessert/cooking Pear

Not an attractive name for a delicious sweet & juicy pear. The tree is tall and is a heavy cropper. It was supplied by Deacons Nursery on a Quince A 1/2 standard rootstock. The round/conical russetted-yellow fruit should be ready to eat by the end of September.

Sponsored by Sofia & Sonia Stecko.

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Williams Bon Cretien

Early Dessert Pear

The Williams

Perhaps the best-known and widely available pear. The tree is vigorous and heavy cropper. It was provided by Deacons Nursery on a Quince A 1/2 standard stock. The succulent fruit should be ready to eat off the tree in September.

Sponsored by William Smith (altho' not a particularly Bon Cretien)

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William planting his namesake

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Cobnut

Corylus var. Cosford

This hardy bush is was planted in 2001 and bought off R V Roger. It is recognised as the best pollinator for nuts. It is a prolific bearer of large, good-flavoured nuts.

Sponsored by Brian Keevil (Treasurer of The Hose Community Orchard Association)

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Morello Cherry

Cooking Cherry

This was planted as a colt in 2001. The fruit are self-fertile and is known as a good pollinator of other cherries. It is a very heavy cropper with rich & juicey fruit.

Sponsored by The Godsmark family

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Stella Cherry

Dessert Cherry

This colt tree was planted in 2001 and now a vigorous tree. These large, black fruit have a wonderful flavour - if you get them before the birds!

Sponsored by Celia Hodgson (nee Lambert) to mark the name of her family, of which she is last of a long line in Hose.

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Almond

Prunus Dulcis

Audrey & almond

This tree flowers early and is the first to show signs of spring in our orchard! It was purchased from R V Roger in 2001 and is grafted onto a St Julian A 1/2 standard rootstock.

Sponsored by Audrey Jackson.

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Audrey planting the Almond

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