English Apples - Mere Pippin

Found at the roadside in Mere, Wiltshire, near Warminster. This is a very late apple which can stay on the tree, amazingly, until February, in good condition. When I found this on Feb 15, 07, half the apples were still on the tree. It has a most unusual flavour; very little acidity, and an interesting hint of tropical fruit - perhaps custard apple - in its aftertaste and aroma. The flesh is unusually white, and very firm; falling fruit don't bruise. I will be grafting Mere Pippin, as I've called it, this year. A rarity; my best find since Whitwick Pippin.

Update, Sep 07: - the grafts are successful, and I have three young trees on MM106. If this apple is as good as it appears, we intend to propogate it.

Update, Jan 10: - the tree has fruited, and the apples are sub-acid and superb flavour in late Dec. We will be propagating this tree further. It appears to grow with very few side breaks. The pretty spotted pattern (it is NOT bitter pit) is Phoma pomi; otherwise known as apple fruit spot.


Further information, from 'GL', Jan 2010.....

When I saw your photo I recognised the apple, with its Phoma markings. I have also propagated it, on M106, M27 and several on its own roots. At the moment the original tree is a bit the worse for wear because of road workings at Mere but can I add a few other observations?

It does have a little scab but that is not particularly bad. The Phoma pomi infection is there every year and is really bad this year. This does count against it. On the other hand I agree with your assessment of its flesh. It really is too hard to eat out of hand but is excellent when cut into pieces. The retention of apples into the New Year makes it attractive. It would be notable at Christmas still festooned with apples.

The tree also has the uncommon habit for apples of rooting freely when the branches touch the ground and will root readily from cuttings. This tree will, in the end, probably make a small thicket.

compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website

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