Orchard
Cambridgeshire has been losing its traditional orchards as they are no longer economical. As a small contribution to the Habitat Action Plan for Orchards, a small, mixed fruit orchard, primarily for the benefit of wildlife has been created. Where possible, reasonably locally developed varieties have been planted. However, it is also recognised that disease resistance is important in an orchard that will not be chemically treated, so a few varieties from elsewhere have been included. Nineteen trees have been planted, largely donated through St Neots Town Council and Landscape 2000's Celebration Tree Scheme. Several apple trees have been independently donated by local residents. Permanent labels will be sought, but temporary ones should help identify the following trees on the ground.
Early Victoria - Cooking apple. Cross between Lord Grosvenor and Keswick Codlin. Raised by William Lynn of Enmeth, Cambridgeshire in1899. Green fruit, conical and ribbed. Tends to crop biennially. Pick Aug. Use Aug - Sept.
Egremont Russet - Dessert apple. Exact history unknown but first recorded in Somerset in 1872. Greenish yellow skin ripening to golden yellow covered with ochre russet. Very sweet but nutty flavour. Crisp but quite dry flesh, improves with storage. Pick late Sept., early Oct. Use Oct - Dec.
Huntingdon Codlin - Dessert apple which also cooks to a puree. Bred in Huntingdon by Wood and Ingram; introduced in 1883. Yellow, ribbed, and angular. Pick in early Sept. Use Sept - Oct.
Lady Lambourne - Dessert apple. Sport of Lord Lambourne, raised in 1945 by Laxton Brothers. Deeper red but otherwise very similar to parent. Pick & use Sept - Nov.
Laxton's Fortune - Dessert apple. Raised by Laxton Brothers, Bedford, in 1904, from a Cox's Orange Pippin x Wealthy. Sweet of medium size, pale green with bright red, broken stripes. Distinctive rounded ribs at apex. Pick early Sept. Use Sept - Oct.
Laxton's Superb - Dessert apple. Cross between Wyken Pippin and Cox's Orange Pippin. Raised in 1897 by Laxton Brothers, Bedford. Introduced in 1927. Sweet and juicy with greenish yellow skin and purplish red flush/stripes. Tendency to be biennial. Pick early - mid October. Use Nov - Jan
Lord Lambourne - Dessert apple. Cross between James Grieve and Worcester Pearmain. Raised in Bedford by Laxton Brothers, 1907. Received the RHS Award of Merit in 1923.
Medium sized, flat-round fruit. Bright red flush and stripes over a greenish yellow skin. Creamy white, crisp, sweet and juicy flesh. Pick & use Sept - Dec. Keeps fairly well.
Lynn's Pippin - Dessert apple. Raise in Cambridgeshire in 1942. Fruit medium sized, flushed and aromatic. Pick mid-Sept. Use Sept - Oct. If you have any additional information about Lynn's Pippin, please let us know.
Tydeman's Late Orange - Dessert apple. Raised in 1930 by East Malling Research Station, from cross between Laxton's Superb and Cox's Orange Pippin. Introduced in 1949. Greenish yellow skin with purplish re flush and stripes. Crisp, juicy flesh. Sharper flavour than Cox. Pick mid-Oct. Use Dec - Apr. Best kept before using
Merton Marvel - Dessert cherry. Sweet. Raised in Cambs. Pick & use end of July, early August. Cherries are a favourite with birds and are usually eaten on the tree before the fruit fully ripens!
Merton Premier - Dessert cherry. Sweet. Raised in Cambs. Pick & use early June - mid July.
Bramley seedling - Cooking apple. Originally raised in Southwell, Notts 1809 - 1813, but not introduced until 1865. Irregular, large, flat-round fruit. Green to yellowish, some reddish flushes and stripes. Use November - March.
Beth - Dessert pear. Raised in 1938 at East Malling Research Station, but introduced in 1974. Small fruit with pale yellow skin and creamy white, juicy flesh. Sweet. Pick in August. Use Aug - Sept.
Beurre Bedford - Dessert pear. Raised by Laxton Brothers, Bedford in 1902 from a cross between Marie Louise and Durondeau. Introduced in 1921. A large, sweet and slightly aromatic fruit, with a coarse, juicy flesh. Pick mid - late Sept. Use Oct.
Concorde - Dessert pear. Raised in 1977 by East Malling Research Station. Cross between Doyenne du Comice and Conference. Fairly large fruit, with a pale green skin, turning pale yellow. Pale yellow, juicy flesh is sweetly flavoured. Pick Oct. Use Oct - Feb.
Bluetit - Dessert or culinary plum. Cross between Czar and Greengage. Raised by Laxton Brothers of Bedford, and introduced in 1938. Blue-black bloomy skin. Pick & use mid August.
Cambridge Gage - Dessert or jam. First trialled in 1927 by Chivers & Son, Histon, Cambs. Originally from a Greengage seedling in the Cambridge area. Crops heavily. Green skin with heavy bloom. Yellow flesh with rich flavour. Pick & use mid August.
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