Fruit Identification Service

Help Identifying Your Fruit Trees

Have you discovered an old fruit tree in your garden or local area and wonder what variety it might be? The Gloucestershire Orchard Trust offers fruit identification services to help identify unknown varieties.

Why Identify Fruit Varieties?

Identifying fruit varieties is important for several reasons:

• Heritage Conservation - Unknown trees might be rare local varieties worth preserving
• Proper Care - Knowing the variety helps with appropriate pruning and management
• Harvest Timing - Different varieties ripen at different times
• Best Use - Some apples are best for eating, others for cooking or cider
• Historical Interest - Discovering the story behind old orchard trees

Our Identification Service

GOT can help identify:

• Apple varieties (dessert, culinary, and cider)
• Perry pear varieties
• Plum varieties
• Other orchard fruits

What We Need for Identification

To identify a fruit variety, we typically need:

Fruit Samples:

• At least 3-4 representative fruits
• Fruits should be mature (not under-ripe)
• Include any with interesting features
• Bring samples when in season (typically August-October for apples)

Information About the Tree:

• Location (approximate age of tree if known)
• Size and habit of the tree
• Cropping characteristics
• Any historical information

Photographs:

• Whole fruit from different angles
• Cross-section showing flesh and core
• The tree (if accessible)
• Any distinctive features

The Identification Process

Fruit identification involves:

1. Physical Examination - Size, shape, color, skin texture, flesh characteristics
2. Tasting - Flavor profile, acidity, sweetness, texture
3. Reference Comparison - Comparing against known varieties
4. Historical Research - Checking local records and nursery catalogs
5. Expert Consultation - Working with national identification networks

Identification Events

GOT often holds identification days during apple season (typically October) where you can bring samples. These events also feature:

• Expert pomologists
• Reference collections for comparison
• Information about varieties
• Opportunity to learn identification skills

After Identification

If your tree turns out to be a rare or significant variety:

• We may ask permission to take grafting material
• The tree could be recorded as part of our survey work
• You'll receive advice on care and management
• The variety might be added to heritage collections