Gwent Wildlife Trust
Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gwent

A descriptive list of fruits contained within the orchard at
Pentwyn Farm, Penallt, Monmouthshire

Planted in 1999 by Gwent Wildlife Trust

“The fruite or Apples do differ in greatness, forme, colour and taste; some covered with a red skin, others yellowe or greene, varying infinitely according to the soyle and climate; some very great, some little, and many of a middle sort; some are sweet or tastie, or something sower; most be of a middle taste betweene sweete and sower, the which to distinguish I thinke it impossible; notwithstanding I herare of one that intendeth to write a peculiar volume of Apples, and the use of them; yet when he hath done that he can do, he hath done nothing touching their severall kindes to distinguish them.”   John Gerarde, 1597

Historical Note

Penallt was largely unenclosed until 1810 and at that time Josiah and Elizabeth Davis were cot-holders at “Penteyne” with a sheepcot and cider mill, part of the Penalt Manor of Treleck.

Pentwyn Farm was acquired by the Gwent Wildlife Trust following a public appeal in 1991 and the adjacent Bush Meadows added in 1996 with grant aid. The Trust planted this orchard in 1999 in order to restore a feature once common in the Monmouthshire landscape, and funded by the Hanson Environmental Trust.

Farm Orchards

Varieties of Crab-apple have been grown since prehistoric times and cider-making is regarded as the oldest practice connected with apple growing. Introductions from overseas began in Roman times and since the 16th century apples have been selected and hybridized to produce the immense number of varieties and cultivars available today. In the 13th century choice varieties had been collected and grown in royal and monastic gardens. Two important varieties the Pearmain and the Costard are the first named varieties recorded in British history [1204 and 1296]. In this orchard a selection of varieties has been made from introductions over the last 200 years.

During the 20th century research into fruit production has been considerable as an outcome of two world wars. Orchards today are unrecognisable from yesteryear when local consumption for fruit and cider were the only considerations. Today’s orchards are measured in the yield of first grade fruit per acre with the employment of cultural techniques such as plant growth, integrated crop protection and ease of movement within an orchard. The impact on the environment today is far less than just fifty years ago thanks to the development of orchard machinery and the understanding of the biological balance within an orchard.

Wildlife Conservation

One of the aims of Gwent Wildlife Trust land management is to encourage a natural wildlife habitat. The main diseases of canker, scab and mildew together with the pests of aphid, red spider and caterpillars, also the nutritional problems of calcium deficiency, the cause of bitter pit, are of no concern. At an altitude of 688 feet [210 metres] on land hanging above the gorge of the River Wye, all these problems to the fruit grower will be evident.

This orchard contains fruit trees of apple, pear, plum, medlar and walnut. The winter twigs, spring flowering, summer growth and autumn decay allow the cycle of life for insects and fungi and the interaction of birds and animals too. The floor of the orchard will be grazed by sheep for part of the year, a traditional feature of the economic cycle on farms in previous centuries. Winter pruning will concentrate on basic tree shape and remedial work to encourage future healthy growth.

Apple Groups

1] Whitish or Cream coloured skin (no Strips) 
2] Green skin 
3] Green skin, striped – cookers, acid taste
4] Green skin, striped – dessert, sweet taste
5] Red apples
6] Russet, usually without colour

Apple shapes are divided into four types: Flat, Round, Conical, Oblong/Oval.

Once picked fruit continues to transpire and reaches a climacteric before senescence. It is this climacteric between varieties that defines the apple season. In this country that is from late July to March.

Apple List

ADAM’S PEARMAIN Introduced 1826. Spreading growth, hardy, and sometimes biennial bearing. Fruit medium, conical; skin dull yellow somewhat glassy with red broken stripes and delicate russet. Flesh yellowish, firm, juicy and aromatic. Dessert, season New Year.

ASHMEAD’S KERNEL Introduced by Dr. Ashmead of Gloucester before 1700. A large tree, shy cropping. Fruit medium, flat; skin green-yellow with grey-brown russet; flesh firm, yellowish, sweet and slightly aromatic. Dessert, season New Year.

BLENHEIM ORANGE Raised from a pip by Mr. Kempster at Woodstock, 1740. Vigorous grower forming a large spreading tree and only bears good crops when full grown. Leaves large, broad with pointed tips. Flowers late, pink, self – sterile and triploid. Fruit large, round but flattened; skin dull yellow with tinge of dull red flush and patches of russet. Flesh yellow, crisp, juicy, sweet and pleasantly sub acid. Dual purpose, season mid-winter.

CARLISLE CODLIN Before 1830. Fruit large, round; skin limpid yellow; flesh soft, course, white and sub acid flavour. Cooker, season early autumn.

CATSHEAD An old variety from the Severn Valley from 1600. The nearest surviving relative of the medieval costard. It was handy packed together with a slice of pickled pork or bacon for the original ploughman’s lunch. Fruit medium to large, very tall and angular; skin green with ochre cheek and red stripes, greasy. Flesh white, fairly juicy; flavour poor and sharp. Cooker, an ideal dumpling apple, season autumn.

CHARLES ROSS Raised by Mr Charles Ross in 1890 [and first named Thomas Andrew Knight]. Upright limbs with spreading branches; leaves narrow and pale green. Fruit medium to large, flat, conical; skin pale yellowish-green with light flush and prominent broken stripes. Flesh white, not much juice but pleasant flavour, becomes dry and woolly if kept. Dessert, season October.

COURT OF WICK Introduced in 1790 from Yatton, Somerset. Fruit medium, rectangular; skin pale yellow flushed orange, dotted; flesh crisp, yellow, rich sub acid flavour. Season New Year.

EGREMONT RUSSET 1872. Upright in growth, closely spurred. Fruit medium and round,; skin yellow covered with brown russet. Flesh hard, yellow with pleasing russet flavour. Dessert, season late autumn.

ELLISON’S ORANGE Introduced by Messrs. Pennel in 1911 and raised by the Rev. C. C. Ellison and Mr. Wipf at Hartshorne Hall. Fruit oblong with flat end; skin dull green streaked red with some russet, greasy on ripening. Flesh juicy, aromatic and strongly scented when ripe. Dessert, season September.

FALSTAFF A new variety developed at East Malling Research Station. Fruit skin red flushed. Flesh fruity and crisp. Dessert, season late autumn.

GRAVENSTEIN An old variety of German origin pre 1800. Fruit medium oblong, irregular and a little flat. Yellow skin with red flush and streaks. Flesh cream, crisp, soft and very juicy. Dual purpose, season late autumn. This tree was sold to the Trust as Stanardine – a variety that does not appear in the National Apple Register.

HOWGATE WONDER Raised in 1915 by Mr. Wratten of Bembridge. Compact habit. Fruit large; skin yellow-green flushed and streaked red; flesh cream and crisp. Culinary, season late.

IRISH PEACH Before 1820. A tip bearer and shy when young. Fruit medium, conical; skin yellowish-green streaked reddish-brown with green or red dots. Flesh greenish-white tinged red with delicious flavour. Dessert, season August.

JAMES GRIEVE Introduced by Messrs. Dickson of Edinburgh in 1893. Vigorous growth, upright. Leaf long, dark green and finely crenate. Early flowers carmine and white. Fruit medium and conical; skin pale yellow with slight crimson flush. Flesh yellow, tender, soft, juicy and excellent flavour; skin bitter. Desert, season early autumn.

 KESWICK CODLIN Distributed by John Sander of Keswick in 1793. Fruit medium conical and angular; skin pale yellow with slight flush. Flesh cream, tender, soft and juicy, acid. Culinary, season early August.

LAXTON’S FORTUNE Raised by Messrs. Laxton of Bedford in 1904. Small compact tree inclined to biennial bearing. Fruit medium to large, conical; skin yellow stripped red; flesh firm and creamy white, flavour sub-acid and crisp. Dessert, season early autumn.

LAXTON’S SUPERB Introduced by Messrs. Laxton of Bedford in 1897. A large much branched tree often biennial bearing. Fruit round; skin yellow streaked red with grey russet. Flesh firm, fine and creamy, juicy and sweet. Dessert, season New Year.

LORD GROSVENOR This is the one remaining old tree at this site situated beside the lower barn beside the track. It is noted as a new variety in John Scott’s catalogue of 1873. Fruit large conical and irregular, very pale yellow. Flesh white, juicy, acid. Late autumn cooker.

MONMOUTH GREEN Usually known as Landore in Herefordshire but Monmouth Green in Breconshire. Landore is mentioned in the diary of Francis Kilvert, Curate of Clyro, Radnorshire in 1872, and has been grown in the area around the Black Mountains since Victorian times; the variety could be far older. Trees are hardy and disease resistant. Fruit small, round; skin green when picked but ripen to yellow with a brownish flush. Dual purpose, season mid winter.

ORLEANS REINETTE Described by Knoop in 1776. Prolific bearer and hardy. Fruit medium and flat; skin yellow with fine coating of cinnamon russet and pronounced scarlet flush. Flesh definite yellow with deep prominent veins, crisp and juicy and perfumed. Dessert, season December.

PEASGOOD NONSUCH Raised from a pip sown by Mrs Peasgood of Stamford, 1858. Forms a large spreading tree which crops lightly. Fruit enormous size, round; skin greenish-yellow to golden-yellow with bright crimson flush and bears broken stripes of a deeper crimson, also russet markings from stem to base of fruit. Flesh yellowish, crisp, very juicy, and cooks with froth. Cooker, season autumn.

RIBSTON PIPPIN Pip came from Rouen in 1709 and the orginal tree grew at Ribston Hall, Knaresborough. Vigorous spreading tree, glaucous leaves, light cropper. Fruit oval and ribbed with one side lower than the other; skin yellow flushed orange with streaks and splashes of scarlet, brown russet prominent near eye and stem. Flesh yellow and very firm, dry, crisp, sweet and a pronounced aromatic smell and flavour. Dessert, season midwinter.

ROSEMARY RUSSET A light cropper described by Ronalds in 1831. Fruit small irregular shape; skin yellow overlying russety brown, a pronounced deep red flush, white dots prominent; flesh firm, fine, tinged yellow, richly flavoured. Dessert, season new year.

ST EDMUND’S RUSSET Raised by Mr. Harvey at Bury St Edmunds in 1870. Fruit small, flattish somewhat conical; skin covered in russet very bright orange; skin rough, thick and tough; flesh juicy and russet flavoured, crisp and creamy-white. Dessert, season November.

TOM PUTT Low spreading habit with branches heavily covered in fruit bud, and crops regularly. Tom Putt was rector of Sherborne and he introduced this variety in late 1700s. Fruit rough conical; skin heavily covered with red streaks – on keeping becomes greasy and wrinkles; flesh coarse and mealy, greenish-yellow, flavour slightly bitter. Culinary [and cider], season late autumn.

WORCESTER PEARMAIN Introduced by Messrs. Smith of Worcester in 1874. Tipbearing. Upright with rounded branches. Leaves thick and leathery, oval and coarsely serated. Blossoms white, partially self-fertile. Fruit medium, round; skin thick, tough and smooth, covered in brilliant red, dotted with darkly covered freckles. Flesh crisp, sweet and juicy with faint strawberry flavour. Dessert, season September.

Perry Pears

BRANDY and WARNDEN

Plums

CAMBRIDGE GAGE A selected seedling of the old greengage setting a good crop. EXCALIBUR A new variety, large yellow / red fruit.

Other Fruit

MEDLAR Mespilus germanica. White flowers in June. Handsome. golden-russet fruits in autumn are hard when picked but soon become soft when stored [bletted], though not to everyone’s taste, quite pleasant to eat. Can be used for jam and cooking.

WALNUT Juglans regia. Can take ten years to give a good crop. Bold aromatic leaves and fine smooth silvery bark. Fruit harvested before shells form, cooked and then marinated in malt vinegar. Otherwise left to form nuts.

References

1] “The Orchardist”  J.Scott, London, 1873
2] “The Apples of England”  H.V.Taylor, Crosby Lockwood, 1945
3] “National Apple Register of the U.K.”  M.W.G.Smith, MAFF, 1971
4] “Apples of the Welsh Marches”  Marcher Apple Network, 2002

Orchard Layout

  Shed                                                                                                                  Walnut

* Standard trees

Text:    D. J. Leat,   August 2004, update October 2007  and  September 2009