As the project progresses, we will offer suggestions regarding variety choice for residents who would like to plant a tree in their garden. This guidance will come from RHS Wisley with whom we have already met regarding the project.
We will have guidance for residents on where George Carpenter’s apple varieties can be seen and purchased. Residents will also be able to refer to a gallery of local varieties we will make available on our website. We will work with WBC and our Councillors to investigate the possibility of planting traditional fruit trees in public spaces. We will ask residents to let us know when they plant new fruit trees so that we can keep our records up to date.
The following advice has been kindly provided by RHS Wisley’s fruit specialist team in January 2022. The RA asked RHS Wisley for their suggestions regarding local heritage varieties and suitable varieties of apple tree to plant in Surrey soils. They advise that the best time to plant apple trees is November to March but container grown trees can be planted later in the spring or earlier in the autumn. It is best to avoid summer planting.
RHS suggested varieties
There is a wide range of apples which can be grown in Surrey as it is generally quite good for apple growing.
Of good local Surrey origin:
George Carpenter*
Byfleet Seedling*
Victory*
Shoesmith*
Comrade*
Duchess’s Favourite (Addlestone)
Joybells (Woking)
Pixy (Wisley)
Cockle Pippin (Godstone)
Claygate Pearmain (Claygate)
*propagated by George Carpenter – former Head Gardener at West Hall, West Byfleet
Of non-Surrey origin but traditionally common in Surrey gardens and orchards:
Warner’s King (Kent)
Bismark (Australia)
Queen (Essex)
Stirling Castle (Scotland)
Devonshire Quarrenden (remembered in old Cobham orchard)
Other good apples found across Surrey:
Blenheim Orange
Bramley’s Seedling
Newton Wonder
King of the Pippins
Other RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit) apples are also be suitable to grow in Surrey.
Other good cross-section of apples, common across South East England, taken from RHS ‘Garden’ Magazine article Sep 2018:
Fearn’s Pippin
Howgate Wonder AGM
Sir John Thornycroft
Arthur Turner
Charles Ross
Crawley Beauty
Lady Sudeley
Lane’s Prince Albert
Reverend W. Wilks
Sunset
On behalf of the Byfleet, West Byfleet, & Pyrford Residents’ Association (RA)