[Growster...]

We started growing apples about twenty-five years ago, and bought two Lord Lambourne trees - one is a dwarfing rootstock called George, and his sister, Mildred is a semi-dwarfing rootstock. Back then we didn't understand the significance of tree sizes, and a third one we bought then died anyway, even before she was given a name...

About five years ago, Mrs Growster announced that she was fed up with cutting back a shrub close to these apple trees, as it kept coming back and we didn't have a clue as to what it was, until we realised that it actually was another apple tree! We've nurtured this lady to form an espalier, and there are several apples on her this year, but many are dropping off, and not reaching maturity. She is named Margaret.

Now, we always assumed that Margaret was another Lord Lambourne, but this year, her apples are distinctly different, they stay mostly yellow, with a little reddening, but do not reach the full red blush stage. Many years ago, there was in fact a unique Nonsuch tree in the garden (before we moved here), but it blew down in the 1987 gale. There was also a quince tree, which had to go as well. (That's a whole story in itself).

We really don't know Margaret's background, so here are a few pics for anyone to take a peek, and offer their views on her heritage. I'd rather ask chums here, than send twenty gold splonders to Brogdale..;0)

So my question is - "Which family does our friend Margaret come from"!

Margaret's pic is the first one, then George, then Mildred!

[solway cropper]

Was the 'rogue' apple tree grown from seed? If so it could have been pollinated by any other apple or crab apple in the vicinity.

I have a large and basically knackered old cooker in the garden that must be 60 years old and I've always wondered what variety it was. A couple of years ago I took some of the fruit to a local apple day to ask the 'experts' and their opinion was: your guess is as good as mine. I've narrowed it down to a few but things like colour and size of fruit vary from year to year so it's not an easy task.

[4 Seasons]

My guess would be Lanes Prince Albert.

http://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/apple-trees/lanes-prince-albert
http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/products/275#.VBTIgudQnqo
http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/lanes-prince-albert

[Growster...]

Was the 'rogue' apple tree grown from seed? If so it could have been pollinated by any other apple or crab apple in the vicinity.

I have a large and basically knackered old cooker in the garden that must be 60 years old and I've always wondered what variety it was. A couple of years ago I took some of the fruit to a local apple day to ask the 'experts' and their opinion was: your guess is as good as mine. I've narrowed it down to a few but things like colour and size of fruit vary from year to year so it's not an easy task.

That's more or less the position we're in, Solway. It must have come from seed, as we'd been digging over the area quite regularly! Like your tree, the fruit differs from year to year as well, which doesn't help!

[Growster...]

My guess would be Lanes Prince Albert.

http://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/apple-trees/lanes-prince-albert
http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/products/275#.VBTIgudQnqo
http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/lanes-prince-albert

The picture is spot on, 4! I;ve read all the notes, and they seem to fit, except that we've been picking these for two weeks now, and they say a Lanes Prince Albert crops in October! Mind you everything is early this year, so we'll do a taste test again, now they're all riper!

Many thanks for the links!

[BabbyAnn]

The picture is spot on, 4! I;ve read all the notes, and they seem to fit, except that we've been picking these for two weeks now, and they say a Lanes Prince Albert crops in October! Mind you everything is early this year

Yes, I've noticed a lot of my fruit trees seem to be a good 2 weeks or more earlier than normal and put it down to the mild winter/spring and not being checked by late frosts so it's possible your mystery apple may be earlier than expected

[Growster...]

Thanks Babby, I've also just been peering at the leaves, and for some reason they're not the same as the Lord Lambourne, in that where the leaf joins the branch, there are two tiny leaves at that joint on Margaret, whereas George and Mildred don't have these!

The plot thickens...

Here are some more pics, which don't really help much, Margaret is first, then Mildred, then George!

[Headgardener22]

Is it a cooker or an eater? Is it nice to eat?

If its nice keep it regardless of what it is.

[Growster...]

Is it a cooker or an eater? Is it nice to eat?

If its nice keep it regardless of what it is.

It's an eater, HG, but they drop pretty swiftly, so they become windfalls, which in our book, also get juiced after a day or so!

We get about a litre of juice from four pounds, so that's the Calvados moment sorted when we need a boost...

[Annen]

Is Margaret very close to George and Mildred? Could it be a sucker from the rootstock?

[Growster...]

Is Margaret very close to George and Mildred? Could it be a sucker from the rootstock?

Margaret's about eight feet from Mildred, and about fourteen feet from George, Anne.

I don't think the roots would have stretched that far, but who knows...

[Annen]

Is Margaret very close to George and Mildred? Could it be a sucker from the rootstock?

Margaret's about eight feet from Mildred, and about fourteen feet from George, Anne.

I don't think the roots would have stretched that far, but who knows...

Yes, that is stretching (!) it a bit  Just a thought.

[Growster...]

The trellis, which is now Margaret's fame, has been there for quite a few years, and has had all sorts of bird feeders etc., attached to it.

I suspect that the seed probably came from a feathered friend at some stage, but I can't think of any other reason...

The nearest apple trees are about sixty yards away, so they may also be part of the story!

[Growster...]

Just to say, that one of Margaret's apples has just fallen off, and I've managed several big bites!

It's nothing like a Lord Lambourne, being much lighter and fluffier (cooker ?), but still sweet enough to eat!

Trouble is, I took it inside to show Mrs Growster and ask her opinion, and left it on a stool in the conservatory, only to get back and find that the dog has eaten it!

There are three left, so they'll have to be the ones that matter!

[Growster...]

Just to say, that one of Margaret's apples has just fallen off, and I've managed several big bites!

It's nothing like a Lord Lambourne, being much lighter and fluffier (cooker ?), but still sweet enough to eat!

Trouble is, I took it inside to show Mrs Growster and ask her opinion, and left it on a stool in the conservatory, only to get back and find that the dog has eaten it!

There are three left, so they'll have to be the ones that matter!

Mrs Growster's opinion is that it is definitely a cooker, and will be stewing the last three today!

The opinion here is that it is indeed a 'Lanes Prince Albert', and from now on, whatever the consequences, he will have a lady's name!

Many thanks for your help!